August 25, 2025, 9:07 am | Read time: 5 minutes
Refundable flights are generally much more expensive. The cheaper fares have a significant downside: They do not offer a refund of the ticket price if you cannot make the trip. But unforeseen events can happen at any time—and suddenly the flight is missed. Fortunately, not all is lost. With our tips, you can get as much of your money back as possible.
Missed Your Flight? Here’s How to Get Your Money Back
If you’ve ever missed a flight, you’re probably not very proud of it. After all, it’s always recommended to allow plenty of time for travel and check-in at the airport. Arriving late at the gate or not making it there at all can quickly seem careless. But let’s be honest: It can theoretically happen to anyone. On Reddit, users share some bizarre experiences related to this. A classic is going to the wrong airport, which is quite possible in cities with multiple airports. But it’s also frustrating, especially if you’ve booked a non-refundable fare and are stuck with the costs. However, not all costs are lost. If you know the trick of distinguishing between the ticket price and additional charges, you can get quite a bit of money back.
Costs for Unused Services Are Yours to Claim
The net flight price is only part of the ticket cost. There are various other items. Passengers are generally entitled to a refund of part of the costs, even if the fare is explicitly labeled as “non-refundable.” The reason: Many additional fees are legally protected amounts that the airline merely collects and passes on to third parties, such as airports or the government. These include taxes and fees, as noted by the Consumer Center of Lower Saxony. These charges only apply to flights actually taken and are not part of the actual ticket price. The same goes for air traffic taxes and fuel surcharges.
Another point: Domestic flights are subject to the regular VAT rate, so a tax is incurred that may also be refundable. And did you perhaps plan to transport a pet? Airlines often charge fees for this, which is officially received as a service. Since you did not use the service, you can also claim a refund for this.
You Must Take Action Yourself
Always contact the airline directly. Usually, you need to write an email or fill out a contact form. The information you need includes your personal details, ticket and booking number, date, and flight number.
Generally, it’s not too complicated to claim a refund for taxes and fees if you’ve missed a flight. For example, with Lufthansa, it’s enough to cancel the missed flight. Ideally, do this via the app under “My Flights” or log in with your booking code in the browser. Shortly after cancellation, you should receive a confirmation email. The airline will then automatically refund the taxes and fees to your payment method.
With other airlines, the process can be a bit more complicated. Sometimes (especially with low-cost carriers), it may seem that the process is intentionally made difficult—perhaps hoping customers will give up. Important: Don’t be deterred! Excuses like a refund being “excluded in the fare” apply—as explained—only to the ticket price. Your right to claim saved expenses is based on § 648 sentence 2 BGB and relevant rulings of the European Court of Justice (ECJ).
What Are My Rights if I Receive a Worse Seat Than Booked?
Ryanair Refunds Passengers 1.5 Million Euros
Is It Worth the Effort?
One might wonder if it’s worth the effort—how much money you really get back if you miss a flight due to your own fault. And yes: The effort pays off.
In some cases, taxes and fees can make up a significant portion of the ticket price. Remember: It’s mainly these ticket taxes that have recently increased flight costs. The air travel tax is currently 15.53 euros for short-haul flights, while other surcharges can be up to 70.83 euros depending on the flight route. For international flights from Germany, these charges often add up to more than 50 euros. Especially with tickets from low-cost airlines, a large part of the final price consists of taxes, security fees, and airport fees.
But even with full-service carriers, a closer look can be worthwhile. A 2019 analysis by “Simple Flying” showed, for example, that on a Lufthansa flight from Frankfurt to Manchester, the base price was just 1 euro, while the remaining 48.44 euros—a whopping 98 percent—consisted of taxes, fees, and surcharges. Even if the exact figures are different today, it illustrates how much charges can affect the final price of a flight ticket.
Up to 3 Years After a Missed Flight, You Can Get a Refund
Are you now upset about missed flights from the past for which you missed out on refunds? Maybe without reason. As long as it hasn’t been more than three years since you missed the flight, you can still claim a refund for taxes and fees. The flight rights experts at “Myflyright” explain this and more on the topic.
By the way: Sometimes a little more is possible. Some airlines are also accommodating beyond the refund of taxes and fees and offer flexible solutions. These include credits, rebookings, or vouchers for future flights.