Refund Policy

1. General Principles

• Refunds are not guaranteed unless explicitly allowed under the fare rules.
• Most discounted, special, or promotional fares are strictly non-refundable.
• Refunds are processed only for tickets booked and issued through our platform, or through our consultation/advisory services.
• All service fees, processing charges, and advisory fees are non-refundable.

2. DOT 24-Hour Refund Rule (U.S. Jurisdiction)

For tickets related to the United States, the DOT mandates full refunds if:

• The booking is made at least 7 days before departure, and
• The cancellation occurs within 24 hours of booking.

Outside this timeframe, refunds follow the airline’s or consolidator’s fare rules.

3. Non-Refundable Tickets

• Most Basic Economy, promotional, or high-discount fares are non-refundable.
• Possible relief for non-refundable tickets includes:
  • Airline-issued travel credits/vouchers.
  • Rebooking options (with penalty plus fare differences).
• Sapphire Fare LLC cannot override airline-imposed fare rules.

4. No-Show Policy

• Passengers who miss their flight or fail to check in are considered no-shows.
• No-shows generally forfeit the full ticket value.
• No refunds apply unless fare rules specifically permit it.

5. Refund Processing & Timelines

• Refund requests must be submitted in writing to our customer support team.
• Once submitted:
  • Approval must be obtained from the airline/consolidator.
  • Processing may take 6–12 weeks or longer depending on the airline.
  • Refunds are always returned to the original payment method.
• We are not responsible for delays caused by airlines, consolidators, or banks.

6. Refund Methods: Cash vs. Vouchers

• Airlines may issue:
  • Cash refunds to the original payment method
  • Travel credits/vouchers with specific expiration terms
• Customers must accept the refund format provided by the issuing airline.
• Vouchers cannot be converted into cash by Sapphire Fare LLC.

7. Multi-Airline & Interline Bookings

• Bookings involving multiple airlines may have different refund rules for each segment.
• The most restrictive fare rule applies.
• Partial refunds may be issued where only certain segments qualify.

8. Force Majeure & Extraordinary Events

• Events like weather issues, strikes, geopolitical conflicts, or pandemics may affect refund eligibility.
• Airlines may offer credits instead of refunds in such cases.
• Sapphire Fare LLC is not liable for losses due to such events.

9. Chargebacks & Disputes

• Customers must contact us before initiating a credit card chargeback.
• Unauthorized chargebacks may result in account suspension or legal action.
• Service fees remain non-refundable regardless of dispute outcomes.

10. Refunds for Consultation & Advisory Services

We offer independent advisory services even for customers who did not book with us. These include:

• Filing refund or compensation claims.
• Coordinating with airlines or consolidators.
• Advising on eligibility under EC261, DOT, Montreal Convention, etc.

Strict Terms:

• Written consent is required before action is taken.
• A service fee of up to 30% applies to successful recoveries.
• Advisory/consultation fees are non-refundable.
• Compensation, vouchers, or credits issued directly to customers are considered recoveries, and our service fee applies.

11. Non-Refundable Items

• Service fees and processing charges.
• Airline/consolidator penalties.
• Seat selection, baggage fees, and ancillary services.
• Consultation/advisory charges.

12. Customer Responsibilities

• Review fare rules carefully before booking.
• Provide correct details when submitting refund requests.
• Submit refund requests promptly to avoid fare expiry.
• Understand that refunds depend on airline/consolidator rules, not solely on Sapphire Fare LLC.

13. Consumer Protection Compliance

• U.S. Flights: DOT refund regulations apply.
• EU Flights: EC Regulation 261/2004 applies where eligible.
• International Flights: Montreal Convention or relevant aviation laws apply.

We handle claims in full compliance with global consumer protection laws.

14. Governing Law

This Refund Policy is governed by the laws of the State of New York, United States, along with applicable international aviation laws.