Paytm, via its travel app Paytm Checkin, has launched a ₹99 opt-in flight cancellation feature, allowing customers to cancel eligible bookings and obtain a full refund of the airfare component. This option can be selected during booking for certain domestic and international routes and is designed as a flexibility add-on for travelers.
Under this policy, cancellations must be processed through the Paytm Checkin app within defined timeframes, and refunds will be credited back to the original payment method upon airline confirmation. The refund does not include Paytm’s convenience fee or the cancellation protection premium itself. In some instances of airline-initiated cancellations, the premium may also be refunded if eligibility criteria are met.
The online travel portal ixigo offers an optional “ixigo Assured” feature on select flights, enabling users to pay an additional fee at the time of booking for cancellation protection. Passengers who cancel within the designated window using ixigo’s platform can receive a refund of the airfare component, adhering to the product’s terms and conditions.
Cleartrip offers a flexible fare option known as “Freedom Fare” on select flights, allowing passengers to cancel bookings and receive a refund of the airline fare if the cancellation meets the specified conditions at booking. This option is integrated into the fare structure and must be selected at the outset.
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Goibibo also provides a cancellation protection add-on for certain flights, allowing customers to cancel bookings without incurring standard airline cancellation fees, provided the cancellation is performed through Goibibo and within the specified timeframes. The availability of this benefit and its scope can vary by airline and route.
Other platforms, such as Yatra and EaseMyTrip, have previously offered cancellation protection products through partnerships with insurers. These products typically reimburse airline cancellation charges instead of offering an automatic in-app refund and may require claim submission and documentation, distinguishing them from platform-managed cancellation protections.
Furthermore, Indian aviation regulations mandate that airlines must grant passengers a full refund if a flight is canceled by the airline or rescheduled in a way that the passenger finds unacceptable.
According to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation’s Civil Aviation Requirements, airlines are obligated to provide the option of a refund or an alternative flight at no additional cost, regardless of whether the ticket was purchased directly from the airline or through an online travel agency. Refunds in these cases are required to be processed within specific timelines, typically within seven working days for online bookings.
Domestic airlines comply with these regulations and offer refunds or rebooking options when flights are canceled due to operational, technical, or weather-related issues, although refund timelines may fluctuate based on disruption volume and the booking channel utilized.
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(Edited by : Anshul)
First Published: Dec 23, 2025 2:22 PM IST
