How do I request a refund from Lufthansa Airlines?

Sometimes plans can change unexpectedly, due to unexpected circumstances or personal reasons. And if you’ve booked a flight with Lufthansa but need to cancel, don’t worry—you can request a refund. Lufthansa is one of Europe’s top airlines and offers an easy-to-follow process for refund requests. Here’s how you can get your refund quickly.

1 Check if Your Ticket is Refundable

You need to find out if your ticket qualifies for a refund. Lufthansa offers two types of tickets: refundable and non-refundable. As you’d expect, refundable tickets can get you all or part of your money back. But non-refundable tickets are trickier—they only qualify for refunds in specific circumstances, like:

If Lufthansa cancels your flight
Major delays or schedule changes
Medical emergencies (with proper documentation)

To check if your ticket is refundable:

Head to Lufthansa’s Manage My Bookings section on their website.
Enter your booking reference number and last name.
Review the details to see if your ticket qualifies.

Also, you can call Lufthansa’s customer service for more information.

2 How to Request a Refund

Once you’ve confirmed that the ticket is refundable, you can apply for a refund. Here are two easy ways to do it:

Online Refund Request

Lufthansa makes it super simple to request a refund online. Here’s how to get started:

Go to Lufthansa’s Website: Visitlufthansa.com.
Find the Refunds Section: Scroll to the bottom of the homepage and click on the “Refunds” link under the Help and Contact
Enter Your Details: You’ll need your booking reference (sometimes called a PNR) and the passenger’s last name to access your booking.
Submit the Request: Follow the steps on the screen to submit your refund request.

Contact Lufthansa Customer Service

If you’re having trouble with the online process or prefer talking to someone, you can request a refund by calling Lufthansa’s customer service:

Call Lufthansa: Find their contact number on their website.
Provide Your Booking Info: Explain the situation and give them your booking reference. The agent will help process your refund request.
Get Confirmation: Make sure to ask for a case or reference number for future follow-ups.

3 How Long Does It Take?

Once your refund request is submitted, wait a bit. Typically, Lufthansa processes refunds in 7 to

14 business days, but it can vary based on how you paid for your ticket:

Credit/Debit Cards: Usually 7 to 10 business days.
Bank Transfers or Cash: It may take up to 14 days.
Third-Party Bookings: If you booked through a travel agent or another website, the refund might take longer since it has to go through extra steps.

4 Special Situations to Keep in Mind

Most refund requests are pretty straightforward, but some cases need special attention:

Canceled Flights: If Lufthansa cancels your flight, you’re entitled to a full refund, regardless of whether your ticket is refundable.
Schedule Changes: If Lufthansa changes your flight time by several hours, you might be able to get a refund, even for non-refundable tickets.
Medical or Personal Emergencies: In case of emergencies, like serious illness, providing proof (like a doctor’s note) can help secure a refund for non-refundable tickets.

5 Tips for a Smooth Refund Process

To make sure your refund process goes smoothly, keep these tips in mind:

Submit Your Request Quickly: Don’t wait too long after you cancel your flight. The earlier you request your refund, the faster it’ll get processed.
Double-Check Your Information: Check all the details (like your booking reference) before submitting your request.
Follow Up If Needed: Reach out to customer service with your reference number to check the status of your refund hasn’t been processed after the stated time.

Final Thoughts

Requesting a refund from Lufthansa doesn’t have to be a stressful experience. Follow the steps, check your ticket eligibility, and submit your request online or through customer service.

With a bit of patience and attention to detail, you’ll have your refund processed in no time.

Lufthansa is known for its excellent customer service, so rest assured your request will be handled with care, giving you one less thing to worry about!