Refunds for Partially or Unused Tickets

Airline tickets purchased for the government traveler for authorized travel are considered unused or partially used when:

  • Travel is terminated short of the authorized destination
  • The return portion of the round trip is not used
  • Travel actually furnished is different or of a lesser value than authorized

The government traveler must notify his/her agency when refunds are due on an unused or partially used ticket (paper or e-ticket) or no refund will take place. Millions of dollars are lost to the government and taxpayers each year because travelers do not initiate the refund process.

In order to obtain a refund, the traveler is responsible for contacting the travel agent, or the Commercial Travel Office (CTO), or the airlines (if purchased from the airline directly).

Additional detailed guidance regarding unused tickets, access the Passenger Transportation Handbook or the Federal Travel Regulation.

The shortcut for this page is www.gsa.gov/unusedticket.

Last Reviewed 4/10/2009