Refund Policy

Last Updated: November 25, 2023

Introduction

At RugCheck, we understand that travel plans can change. This Refund Policy outlines the terms and conditions for refunds and cancellations when you book flights through our platform. Please read this policy carefully to understand your rights and obligations regarding refunds.

This Refund Policy should be read in conjunction with our Terms & Conditions. In case of any conflict between this Refund Policy and our Terms & Conditions, the Terms & Conditions shall prevail.

Booking Confirmation

When you complete a booking through RugCheck, you will receive a booking confirmation email containing important details about your flight, including the airline's booking reference, flight details, and the applicable fare rules and restrictions.

It is your responsibility to review this information carefully, as it includes the specific terms regarding changes, cancellations, and refunds applicable to your booking.

24-Hour Flexible Booking Policy

For most flight bookings, we offer a 24-hour flexible booking policy that allows you to cancel your reservation without penalty, provided that:

  • The cancellation request is made within 24 hours of the original booking time
  • The flight departure is at least 7 days (168 hours) away at the time of cancellation

Under this policy, you will receive a full refund of the ticket price, including taxes and fees. However, our service fee may still be non-refundable, as detailed below.

Important: Some airlines and special fares may be exempt from this 24-hour policy. The applicable terms will be clearly displayed during the booking process and in your booking confirmation.

Airline Cancellation Policies

Beyond the 24-hour flexible booking period, refund eligibility is primarily determined by the fare rules set by the airline. Different fare types have different cancellation and refund policies:

Refundable Fares

Refundable tickets generally allow for cancellation with a full or partial refund of the ticket price. However, these tickets are typically more expensive than non-refundable options. Even with refundable tickets, certain fees or penalties may apply.

Non-Refundable Fares

Most discounted fares are non-refundable. If you cancel a non-refundable ticket, you typically will not receive a monetary refund. However, depending on the airline's policy, you may:

  • Receive a credit or voucher for future travel (usually valid for 12 months)
  • Be able to change your flight by paying a change fee plus any fare difference
  • Recover some unused taxes and fees (in some cases)

Flexible Fares

Some airlines offer flexible fare options that provide more favorable terms for changes and cancellations. These options typically have different refund rules and may be subject to lower penalties.

Note: Airline policies may change without notice, and special conditions may apply during exceptional circumstances (such as weather events, natural disasters, or public health emergencies). The specific terms applicable to your booking will be provided at the time of purchase.

RugCheck Service Fees

When you book through RugCheck, we charge a service fee for using our platform. This fee compensates us for the services we provide, including search functionality, customer support, and booking management.

Service Fee Refund Policy

Our service fees are generally non-refundable, even if your flight is refundable under the airline's policy. However, we may refund our service fee in the following circumstances:

  • If you cancel within the 24-hour flexible booking period (as described above)
  • If there is an error in the booking process that is attributable to RugCheck
  • If the airline cancels your flight and no suitable alternative is provided

In all other cases, our service fee will be retained to cover our operational costs.

Cancellation Process

To request a cancellation and potential refund, please follow these steps:

  1. Contact Us Promptly: As soon as you know you need to cancel, contact our customer service team via phone at +1 (734) 378-7943 or email at support@rugcheck.ca.
  2. Provide Booking Details: Have your booking reference number and passenger names ready.
  3. Review Applicable Terms: Our team will explain the specific cancellation terms applicable to your booking, including any penalties or fees.
  4. Confirm Cancellation: If you decide to proceed with the cancellation, we will process your request and provide confirmation.

For certain bookings, you may also be able to manage cancellations online through your RugCheck account.

Important: Some airlines require cancellations to be made directly with them. In such cases, we will direct you to the appropriate airline contact information.

Refund Processing

Refund Timeline

If you are eligible for a refund, please note the following timeframes:

  • RugCheck will process your refund request within 3-5 business days of receiving all required information.
  • Refunds to your original payment method typically take 7-14 business days to appear in your account, depending on your payment provider's policies.
  • For credit card refunds, it may take one or two billing cycles for the refund to appear on your statement.

Refund Method

Refunds will be issued to the original payment method used for the booking. We cannot process refunds to a different payment method or person than the one used for the original purchase.

Partial Refunds

In some cases, you may receive a partial refund if:

  • The airline charges a cancellation penalty
  • Only certain components of your booking are refundable
  • Our service fee is non-refundable as per the terms outlined above

The specific breakdown of any partial refund will be communicated to you during the cancellation process.

Flight Changes and Modifications

If you need to change your flight rather than cancel it entirely, different terms may apply:

Change Fees

Most airlines charge a change fee to modify your booking, plus any difference in fare between your original flight and the new one. These fees vary significantly between airlines and fare types.

RugCheck Change Fee

In addition to the airline's change fee, RugCheck may charge a service fee for processing flight changes. This fee will be clearly communicated before you confirm any changes.

Fare Difference

If your new flight costs more than your original booking, you will need to pay the fare difference. If the new flight costs less, the airline's policy will determine whether you receive a refund of the difference (many airlines do not refund the difference for non-refundable tickets).

Special Circumstances

Airline Schedule Changes

If the airline significantly changes your flight schedule (typically by more than 2 hours), you may be entitled to:

  • Accept the new schedule
  • Change to another flight without a change fee
  • Cancel and receive a refund, even on non-refundable tickets

The definition of a "significant" change varies by airline. We will assist you in understanding your options when such changes occur.

Flight Cancellations by the Airline

If your flight is cancelled by the airline, you are typically entitled to:

  • Rebooking on another flight at no additional cost
  • A full refund of the ticket price, including taxes and fees

Force Majeure Events

In cases of extraordinary circumstances beyond the airline's control (such as weather events, natural disasters, government actions, or public health emergencies), special policies may apply. These policies are set by the airlines and may limit refund options.

Illness or Emergency

If you need to cancel due to illness or family emergency, most standard fare rules still apply. However, some airlines may offer goodwill exceptions with proper documentation (such as a medical certificate). We can help you submit such requests to the airline, though we cannot guarantee their outcome.

Travel Insurance

Due to the restrictive nature of most airline refund policies, we strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance that includes trip cancellation coverage. Travel insurance may provide reimbursement for non-refundable expenses when you need to cancel for covered reasons (such as illness, injury, or family emergency).

RugCheck offers travel insurance options during the booking process. The specific terms and conditions of the insurance coverage are provided by the insurance provider, not by RugCheck.

Price Protection Guarantee

RugCheck offers a Price Protection Guarantee on select bookings. If the price of your exact flight drops after you book, we will refund the difference. This guarantee is subject to the following conditions:

  • You must notify us of the price drop within 24 hours of your booking
  • The lower price must be for the identical flight (same airline, flight number, date, and class)
  • The lower price must be available on a public website at the time you notify us
  • The guarantee applies only to the base fare, not to taxes and fees
  • The guarantee is subject to verification by our team

Not all bookings qualify for Price Protection. Eligibility will be clearly indicated during the booking process.

Disputes and Complaints

If you are not satisfied with the handling of your refund request, please contact our Customer Resolution team at resolution@rugcheck.ca with your booking reference and details of your concern.

We aim to resolve all disputes fairly and in accordance with our policies and applicable regulations. If we cannot resolve your complaint to your satisfaction, you may have rights to pursue the matter through external dispute resolution mechanisms.

Changes to this Policy

We may update this Refund Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or for other operational, legal, or regulatory reasons. The updated policy will be posted on this page with a revised "Last Updated" date.

The refund terms that apply to your booking are those that were in effect at the time of your purchase.

Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Refund Policy or need to request a refund, please contact us at:

RugCheck
678 Tyrique Pines
New Ignaciofurt, BC C2L 4P2
Canada

Email: support@rugcheck.ca

Phone: +1 (734) 378-7943

Customer Service Hours: Monday - Friday, 9AM - 8PM EST; Saturday - Sunday, 10AM - 6PM EST