AIR FRANCE GUIDE
Air France tax refund:
how to claim taxes on an unused ticket?
Bought an Air France ticket but ended up not taking your flight? Even if your ticket is non-refundable, certain taxes and fees may be recoverable when the ticket was not used for transport.
Air France states that if a ticket is no longer valid and was not used for transport, the passenger is entitled to a refund of taxes and fees, with online requests processed free of charge.
Step-by-step guide · Message template included · Instant access · No guaranteed refund
To request an Air France tax refund, you need to confirm your ticket was not used, prepare your booking information, then submit an online request, generally from the "My bookings" section if your ticket was bought directly from Air France. Air France states that a ticket not used for transport can entitle you to a refund of taxes and fees, and that online requests are processed free of charge.
The Air France premium guide helps you prepare your request, distinguish the taxes from the ticket price, avoid common mistakes and use a tailored message template.
Unused Air France ticket: which taxes can you claim?
On an Air France ticket, several elements need to be distinguished: the airfare, taxes, fees, service charges, options and any surcharges.
If your ticket is non-refundable, the price of the transport may remain non-refundable depending on the fare conditions. However, Air France states that if the ticket is no longer valid and was not used for transport, you are entitled to a refund of taxes and fees.
Under French law, Service-Public also notes that in the case of a no-show, even if the ticket is non-refundable, the passenger can request a refund of the "QW" airport tax and the "QX" passenger fee included in the ticket price.
The request needs to be worded precisely: you are not necessarily requesting a full ticket refund, only the recoverable taxes and fees linked to the unused flight.
Definition: what is an Air France tax refund?
An Air France tax refund refers to a request for certain taxes and fees associated with an unused Air France ticket to be paid back.
This is not automatically a refund of the full ticket price. The request may only concern the recoverable taxes and fees, in particular when the ticket was not used for transport.
Air France states that a refund can be requested online from "My bookings" and that online refunds are processed free of charge.
Definition: what is an unused Air France ticket?
An unused Air France ticket is a ticket for which the passenger did not board the scheduled flight and which was therefore not used for transport.
This can cover several situations:
- –you missed your Air France flight
- –you decided not to travel
- –your trip was cancelled on your end
- –your ticket was non-refundable
- –the flight date has passed and you were not on board
- –you did not use a segment of your booking
In these cases, the fare portion of the ticket may be lost, but certain taxes and fees can remain recoverable.
Key facts — Air France tax refund
| Item | Information |
|---|---|
| Airline | Air France |
| Type of request | Refund of taxes and fees |
| Situation covered | Ticket not used for transport |
| Is the full ticket refundable? | Depends on fare conditions |
| Potentially recoverable taxes | Taxes and fees linked to the unused ticket |
| Online request | Possible via "My bookings" according to Air France |
| Online request fee | Free of charge according to Air France |
| Offline fees | May be capped under French consumer law |
| Purchase via agency / OTA | Procedure may differ |
| Refund guaranteed? | No |
| Premium guide available | Yes |
| Guide price | £5 or €5 |
What Air France says about taxes and fees
Air France states that if your ticket is no longer valid and was not used for transport, you are entitled to a refund of taxes and fees. The airline states that the request can be made online from "My bookings", with online requests processed free of charge.
Air France also has a general "Ticket and option refunds" page, which invites customers to select a reason and follow the steps to request a refund, a voucher or compensation.
This distinction matters: a tax refund should not be confused with other requests such as a full ticket refund, compensation for a cancelled flight, a baggage claim or a request linked to an exceptional circumstance.
What French law says about airport taxes
In France, Service-Public states that if you miss or cancel your flight, you are not automatically entitled to a refund of the ticket, but you can request a refund of certain taxes and fees included in the ticket. The items mentioned include the "QW" airport tax and the "QX" passenger fee.
The INC (French consumer institute) also notes that not all taxes are refundable and that processing fees may be charged, but such fees cannot exceed 20% of the refund. The request is free when made online.
This makes the request particularly worthwhile if your Air France ticket includes identifiable taxes or fees and you did not use the flight.
When can you request Air France taxes?
You can consider a request if:
- –you did not take your Air France flight
- –your ticket was not used for transport
- –your flight has already happened or your ticket is no longer valid
- –your ticket includes recoverable taxes and fees
- –you have the necessary booking information
- –you know whether you bought directly from Air France or via an agency
You can also prepare your request before the flight if you already know you will not travel, but the request will generally make more sense once the ticket is actually unused.
What you can prepare before the request
| Information | Why it is useful |
|---|---|
| Passenger full name | Identify the person concerned |
| Air France booking reference | Find the booking |
| Ticket number | Often useful for traditional airlines |
| Flight number | Identify the unused flight |
| Flight date | Check the relevant period |
| Email used for the booking | Find the confirmation |
| E-ticket or receipt | Support the ticket in question |
| Detail of the price paid | Identify the taxes and fees |
| Purchase channel | Know whether to contact Air France or an agency |
Ticket bought directly from Air France or via an agency?
The procedure may change depending on where you bought your ticket.
If you bought directly from Air France
Air France states that you can request a refund online in the "My bookings" section, and that online refunds are processed free of charge.
You will generally need to use the information linked to your booking: name, booking reference, ticket number and the email used at purchase.
If you bought via an agency or an OTA
If you booked through Opodo, eDreams, Booking, Expedia, Trip.com or another platform, the request may need to go through the agency that sold the ticket.
In that case, check:
- –who received the payment
- –who issued the ticket
- –which name appears on the confirmation
- –which email address was used
- –whether you have access to the Air France booking
- –whether the agency charges a processing fee
- –whether Air France or the agency is the correct contact
General procedure to request Air France taxes
The exact procedure may change, but the general logic remains the same.
Confirm the ticket was not used
The request concerns a ticket that was not used for transport.
Find your booking
Prepare your booking reference, your ticket number, your name, your booking email, the flight number and the flight date.
Identify what counts as taxes and fees
Not all amounts paid to Air France are necessarily refundable. Options and service fees are not automatically included.
Use the correct request channel
If bought directly, start with "My bookings". If bought via an agency, check whether the intermediary needs to handle the request.
Send a clear request
Your request should state that the ticket was not used for transport and target the recoverable taxes and fees.
Keep proof
Keep a copy of your request, the form, the automatic reply, or the case reference number.
Example message to request Air France taxes
Hello,
I would like to request a refund of the recoverable taxes and fees linked to an Air France ticket that I did not use.
Passenger name:
Booking reference:
Ticket number:
Flight number:
Flight date:
Email address used for the booking:
As I did not use this ticket for transport, could you please let me know the refundable taxes and fees associated with this booking and proceed with refunding the recoverable amounts.
Best regards,
The Air France premium guide includes a more detailed message template and a checklist to check your file before sending.
Common mistakes to avoid with Air France
Requesting a full refund without checking
If your ticket is non-refundable, requesting a full refund may be refused.
Confusing taxes, fees and options
Baggage, seats, insurance, options or service fees are not necessarily refundable.
Not using the online request
Air France states that online requests from "My bookings" are processed free of charge.
Contacting the wrong party
If the ticket was bought through an agency, the intermediary may need to be involved.
Not keeping proof
Always keep a copy of your request and any replies received.
Air France guide pricing
Secure payment · Instant access · No guaranteed refund
What the Air France premium guide includes
| Guide content | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Explanation of Air France taxes | Understand what can be claimed |
| Step-by-step procedure | Know what to do and in what order |
| List of information to prepare | Avoid an incomplete request |
| Message template | Send a clear request |
| Common mistakes | Avoid unnecessary refusals or delays |
| Agency booking scenario | Identify the correct contact |
| Final checklist | Check your file before sending |
What the Air France guide does not guarantee
- –that Air France will accept your request
- –that all taxes will be refunded
- –that the ticket price will be refunded
- –that options will be refunded
- –that an agency will not charge any fees
- –that an incomplete request will be accepted
- –that a request sent to the wrong party will be processed quickly
The refund depends on Air France, the ticket, the country of departure, the taxes actually paid, the purchase channel and the applicable terms.
Independent site, not affiliated with Air France
Flight Tax Refund is an independent site. The site is not affiliated with Air France, is not endorsed by Air France and does not act on behalf of Air France.
Our guides are practical informational resources. They do not constitute personalized legal advice and do not guarantee that you will obtain a refund.
In summary
- –Air France states that a ticket that is no longer valid and was not used for transport entitles you to a refund of taxes and fees.
- –Air France states that the request can be made online from "My bookings" and that online processing is free of charge.
- –In France, Service-Public states that in the case of a no-show, certain taxes such as QW and QX can be claimed, even if the ticket is non-refundable.
- –The refund does not automatically cover the full ticket price.
- –Options, service fees, seats, baggage or insurance are not necessarily refundable.
- –The Air France premium guide helps you prepare a clear and complete request.
- –A refund is never guaranteed.
- –This site is independent and not affiliated with Air France.
Frequently asked questions about the Air France tax refund
Ready to request your Air France tax refund?
Access the Air France premium guide to prepare your request step by step.
Useful sources
- – Air France: Special conditions
- – Air France: Refunds, vouchers and compensation
- – Service-Public.fr: airport tax refunds
- – INC Conso: recovering taxes and fees
- – French Consumer Code, article L224-66