EMAIL TEMPLATE
Email template to request
a refund of the taxes on a plane ticket
Didn't take your flight and want to request a refund of the taxes linked to your plane ticket? You can use the email template below to contact the airline or the agency you bought your ticket from.
Ready-to-copy message · Guides by airline · Step-by-step procedure · No guaranteed refund
This template is suited to the following common situations:
- –unused plane ticket
- –missed flight
- –non-refundable ticket
- –passenger absent at boarding
- –request for an airport tax refund
- –request for a passenger fee refund
- –ticket bought directly from the airline or via an agency
Note: this template does not guarantee that you will obtain a refund. It simply helps you word a clear, complete request focused on the recoverable taxes.
To request a refund of the taxes on an unused plane ticket, your message should clearly state that you did not board and that your request concerns the recoverable taxes and fees, not necessarily a full ticket refund.
The message should ideally include: your full name, the booking reference, the ticket number if available, the flight number, the flight date, the email address used for the booking, a statement that you did not board, and a clear request for a refund of the recoverable taxes.
Ready-to-send message to recover the taxes on an unused flight
An email that is too vague, such as "I want a refund for my ticket", may be poorly targeted, especially if your ticket is non-refundable.
It is better to use a precise wording: "I would like to request a refund of the recoverable taxes and fees linked to a plane ticket that I did not use."
This wording makes it possible to distinguish:
- –the ticket price
- –airport taxes
- –passenger fees
- –options
- –agency fees
- –service fees
- –any non-refundable surcharges
Definition: what is a tax refund email template for?
A tax refund email template is a pre-written message that you can adapt to your situation to ask an airline or an agency to refund the recoverable taxes linked to an unused ticket.
It does not replace an official procedure specific to each airline. Some airlines require a form, an account area or an online assistant. In that case, the template can be used as a base text to copy into the message field.
Definition: what exactly should you request?
You do not necessarily need to request a full ticket refund. The request should target the recoverable taxes and fees linked to a passenger who did not board.
Example of good wording: "I would like to request a refund of the recoverable taxes and fees linked to an unused plane ticket."
Example of wording that is too vague: "I want a refund for my ticket."
Key facts
| Item | Information |
|---|---|
| Type of content | Ready-to-adapt email template |
| Main situation | Unused ticket, missed flight, absent passenger |
| Goal | Request the recoverable taxes and fees |
| Recipient | Airline or travel agency |
| Refund guaranteed | No |
| Useful attachment | Booking confirmation or e-ticket |
| Important note | Do not confuse a ticket refund with a tax refund |
| Premium guide recommended | Yes, if you want the detailed procedure by airline |
1. Main template — Unused ticket / absent passenger
Subject: Request for a refund of recoverable taxes – unused plane ticket
Hello,
I would like to request a refund of the recoverable taxes and fees linked to a plane ticket that I did not use.
Here is my booking information:
Passenger name:
Booking reference:
Ticket number:
Flight number:
Flight date:
Email address used for the booking:
I would like to clarify that I did not board this flight. My request does not necessarily concern a full ticket refund, but the recoverable taxes and fees linked to a passenger who did not travel.
Could you please let me know the refundable amounts associated with this booking and, where applicable, proceed with refunding the recoverable taxes and fees.
Best regards,
[Your name]
You can copy this template and replace the fields in brackets or after the colons.
2. Missed flight template
Subject: Request for a refund of recoverable taxes – missed flight
Hello,
I would like to request a refund of the recoverable taxes and fees linked to a plane ticket that I did not use after missing my flight.
Here is my booking information:
Passenger name:
Booking reference:
Ticket number:
Flight number:
Flight date:
Flight time:
Email address used for the booking:
I would like to clarify that I did not board this flight. My request does not necessarily concern a full ticket refund, but the recoverable taxes and fees linked to a passenger who did not travel.
Could you please let me know the refundable amounts associated with this booking and, where applicable, proceed with refunding the recoverable taxes.
Best regards,
[Your name]
This template is better suited if you want to specify that the flight was missed, without automatically requesting a full ticket refund.
3. Agency / OTA template
Subject: Request for a refund of recoverable taxes – unused plane ticket bought via a platform
Hello,
I booked a plane ticket via your platform and did not use this flight.
I would like to request a refund of the recoverable taxes and fees linked to this unused ticket.
Here is my booking information:
Passenger name:
Agency booking reference:
Airline reference (if available):
Ticket number:
Airline:
Flight number:
Flight date:
Email address used for the booking:
Could you please let me know whether this request should be handled by your service or directly by the airline, and confirm any applicable fees.
Best regards,
[Your name]
Use this template if you bought your ticket via a platform such as Opodo, eDreams, Expedia, Booking, Trip.com or another travel agency.
Which template should you choose?
| Situation | Recommended template |
|---|---|
| You bought directly from the airline | Main template |
| You missed your flight | Missed flight template |
| You bought via an agency or OTA | Agency / OTA template |
| Your ticket is non-refundable | Main template, mentioning "recoverable taxes" |
| Your flight was cancelled by the airline | Different procedure, do not use this template alone |
| Your flight was heavily delayed | Different procedure, check your passenger rights |
| You are seeking compensation | Different procedure |
Information to prepare before sending your message
| Information | Where to find it | Why it is useful |
|---|---|---|
| Passenger full name | Booking confirmation | Identify the passenger |
| Booking reference | Confirmation email | Find the booking |
| Ticket number | E-ticket or receipt | Useful with traditional airlines |
| Flight number | Ticket or confirmation | Identify the flight |
| Flight date | Ticket or confirmation | Check the relevant period |
| Flight time | Ticket or confirmation | Useful in the case of a missed flight |
| Email used for the booking | Your inbox | Verify the booking |
| E-ticket or receipt | PDF or booking email | Support the request |
| Purchase channel | Airline or agency | Identify the correct contact |
How to adapt the message to your airline?
| Airline | Adaptation tip |
|---|---|
| Ryanair | Refer to recoverable government taxes if applicable |
| Vueling | Mention airport and security taxes |
| easyJet | Distinguish the 24-hour cancellation from the recoverable taxes |
| Air France | Mention the taxes and fees linked to an unused ticket |
| KLM | Mention the unused airport taxes |
Recommended procedure before sending
Each airline may have its own procedure. The message can therefore be used as a base, but it may need to be adapted.
Confirm you did not board
The tax request generally concerns an unused ticket or a passenger who did not take their flight.
Identify the correct contact
If you bought directly from the airline, generally contact the airline. If you bought via an agency or OTA, the agency may be the correct contact.
Fill in the template with your information
Do not leave important fields blank, such as the booking reference, the flight date or the passenger name.
Attach proof if necessary
You can attach your booking confirmation, your e-ticket or your receipt.
Keep proof of sending
Keep a copy of your message, a screenshot of the form or an acknowledgment of receipt.
Follow up if necessary
If you do not receive a reply after a reasonable time, send a short follow-up referencing your first request.
Common mistakes to avoid
Requesting only a full ticket refund
If the ticket is non-refundable, your request may be refused outright. It is better to target the recoverable taxes and fees.
Not stating that you did not board
Stating that you did not board matters, since it justifies the request for taxes linked to an unused service.
Forgetting the booking reference
Without a reference, the airline or agency may struggle to find your case.
Sending the message to the wrong party
If you bought via an agency, the airline may sometimes redirect you to that agency.
Confusing taxes, options and fees
Baggage, seats, insurance, service fees or agency fees are not automatically refundable.
Not keeping proof
Without proof of sending, it will be harder to follow up on or track the case.
Short follow-up template
Subject: Follow-up – request for a refund of recoverable taxes
Hello,
I am following up on my request for a refund of the recoverable taxes and fees linked to my unused plane ticket.
Booking reference:
Ticket number:
Flight number:
Flight date:
Passenger name:
My initial request was sent on [date].
Could you confirm whether it is being processed and let me know the next steps?
Best regards,
[Your name]
If you do not want to use a fourth full template, you can add this follow-up directly as plain text.
Guides available for your airline
Premium guide pricing
Premium guides give you a procedure tailored to each airline, with a message template and mistakes to avoid.
Choose my airline's guide →Secure payment · Instant access · No guaranteed refund
What our guides do not guarantee
- –that the airline or the agency will accept your request
- –a full ticket refund
- –a specific processing time
- –coverage by insurance or a credit card
The refund depends on the airline, the ticket, the country of departure, the route, the purchase channel, the taxes actually paid and the applicable conditions.
Independent site, not affiliated with any airline
Flight Tax Refund is an independent site. The site is not affiliated with Ryanair, Vueling, easyJet, Air France, KLM or any other airline mentioned.
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
- –A good message should request the recoverable taxes and fees, not just a ticket refund.
- –You need to state that you did not board.
- –The booking reference, the flight number and the flight date are essential.
- –The correct contact depends on the purchase channel: the airline or the agency.
- –A non-refundable ticket can sometimes still allow you to request certain taxes.
- –Email templates should be adapted to your airline.
- –No refund is guaranteed.
Frequently asked questions about the tax refund email template
Ready to send your request?
Copy the template that matches your situation, fill in your information, then check the procedure specific to your airline.
Useful sources
- – Service-Public.fr: refund of the airport tax and passenger fee
- – Légifrance: French Consumer Code, article L224-66
- – INC Conso: recovering taxes and fees after a flight cancellation
- – Official pages of the airlines concerned