Is a refundable flight ever worth the premium?
Rarely for leisure trips — the refundable premium (often 3–5x the base fare) exceeds the risk. Worth it only for high-stakes business travel with a real chance of cancellation, or when the corporate travel policy requires it. Otherwise, a flexible non-refundable fare plus insurance is cheaper.
Refundable fares exist for business travellers whose employer is buying flexibility, not the flight itself. For leisure, the maths rarely works: a €300 non-refundable fare with $50 travel insurance beats a €1,200 refundable fare in almost every scenario. Modern 'Main' or 'Flex' fares from most airlines include free change (fare difference applies) which is enough flexibility for most travellers. Only choose refundable when a full cash refund with no service credit is essential.
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Last verified 2026-07-29.