CANCELLATIONS & REFUNDS

wave-travelers.com Last updated: July 1, 2026

At Wave Travelers, we want your travel experience to be as seamless as possible. Because we operate as an independent travel agency and technological intermediary, the cancellation and refund policies for your bookings are directly dictated by our Travel Suppliers (airlines and hotels).
This policy outlines how cancellations and refunds are handled for flights and hotels booked through our platform.

1. FLIGHT CANCELLATIONS & REFUNDS

Flight bookings are processed via our integration with Duffel. Once a ticket is issued, the cancellation rules are strictly governed by the operating airline. Wave Travelers does not charge additional cancellation fees; however, we must enforce the fare rules set by the airline.

A. The U.S. DOT 24-Hour Cancellation Rule
In compliance with U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations, if you book a flight to, from, or within the United States, you may cancel your reservation within 24 hours of purchase for a full refund to your original form of payment, provided that:

The booking was made at least 7 days (168 hours) prior to the scheduled departure time.
The cancellation is requested within exactly 24 hours of the initial booking confirmation.

B. Standard Airline Rules (After 24 Hours)
Once the 24-hour window has expired, all cancellations, changes, and refunds are subject to the specific fare rules of the airline that issued the ticket.

Refundable Tickets: If your fare is refundable, you will receive a refund to your original payment method, minus any airline-imposed cancellation fees.
Non-Refundable Tickets: Most discounted economy fares are strictly non-refundable. If you cancel, you will not receive a cash refund. In some cases, the airline may offer a travel credit or voucher for future use, minus a change fee. Wave Travelers cannot override these airline rules or force a refund on non-refundable tickets.

C. Ancillary Services
Fees paid for additional services such as checked baggage, seat selection, priority boarding, and in-flight meals are 100% non-refundable once purchased, regardless of the ticket type.

D. Airline-Initiated Changes or Cancellations
If the airline cancels your flight or makes a significant schedule change, you are entitled to a full refund or rebooking according to the airline’s policy. Wave Travelers will facilitate this process on your behalf, but the final approval and issuance of the refund are controlled by the airline.

2. HOTEL CANCELLATIONS & REFUNDS

Hotel bookings are processed via our integration with Nuitee / LiteAPI. Hotel cancellation policies are highly variable and are set entirely by the individual property or the specific rate plan you select.
A. The “Checkout Rule”
The cancellation policy displayed to you on the checkout page at the time of booking is the final and only policy that applies to your reservation. It is your responsibility to read and understand this policy before confirming your payment.
B. Free Cancellation Rates
If you book a rate that offers free cancellation, you may cancel your reservation without penalty up until the exact deadline specified at checkout (e.g., “Free cancellation until 11:59 PM EST on October 12”). Cancellations made after this exact deadline will be charged a penalty, typically equal to the first night’s stay or the full booking amount.
C. Non-Refundable & Discounted Rates
Many of our best hotel rates are strictly non-refundable. If you book a non-refundable rate, no refunds will be issued under any circumstances, including:
Changes to your travel plans.
Flight delays or cancellations preventing you from reaching the hotel.
Medical emergencies or personal reasons.
D. No-Shows and Early Departures
No-Shows: If you fail to check in to the hotel on the scheduled arrival date, the reservation will be marked as a “No-Show,” and you will be charged 100% of the booking amount. No refunds will be issued.
Early Departures: If you check out before your scheduled departure date, the hotel will charge you for the full original reservation. Wave Travelers cannot issue refunds for unused nights.

3. HOW TO REQUEST A CANCELLATION

To cancel a booking or request a refund, please follow these steps:
Via Your Account: Log in to your Wave Travelers account, navigate to “My Bookings,” select the reservation you wish to cancel, and follow the on-screen prompts.
Via Email: If you booked as a guest or need assistance, email our support team at support@wave-travelers.com.

Please include the following information in your request:

Your Wave Travelers Booking Reference Number.
The full name of the lead passenger/guest.
The reason for cancellation (if applicable).

Note: Cancellations are only considered officially processed once you receive a written confirmation email from Wave Travelers. Do not assume your booking is canceled until you receive this confirmation.

4. REFUND PROCESSING TIMES

Once a refund is approved and processed by Wave Travelers, the time it takes for the funds to appear in your account depends on your financial institution:
Credit Cards: 5 to 10 business days (may take up to one full billing cycle depending on your bank).
Debit Cards / Bank Transfers: 7 to 14 business days.
PayPal / Digital Wallets: 3 to 5 business days.
Airline Travel Credits/Vouchers: These are typically issued via email directly by the airline within 24 to 48 hours of approval.
Wave Travelers is not responsible for delays caused by third-party banks or payment processors.

5. DISPUTES AND CHARGEBACKS

We strive for complete transparency. If you believe a refund was processed incorrectly, please contact our support team to resolve the issue.

Please note: Initiating a chargeback or payment dispute with your bank or credit card company for a valid, non-refundable booking, or for a booking where the supplier’s rules were clearly displayed at checkout, is a violation of these Terms. In such cases, Wave Travelers reserves the right to suspend your account, deny future bookings, and contest the chargeback with evidence of your agreement to these policies.

6. TRAVEL INSURANCE

Because airline and hotel cancellation policies can be strict, we highly recommend that you purchase comprehensive travel insurance at the time of booking (if offered) or through a third-party provider. Travel insurance can protect your investment against unforeseen circumstances such as illness, severe weather, or sudden trip interruptions.

7. CONTACT US

f you have any questions about this Cancellation & Refund Policy, please contact us at:
Email: support@wave-travelers.com
Website: https://wave-travelers.com