How To Book Free Flight Tickets To UK For Your Schengen Visa in 2025

During your application for a Schengen visa, whether for tourism, business, or study, one of the most important things you will require is proof of your flight reservation.

However, if you purchase a non-refundable ticket, you put yourself at risk of losing your money if your visa gets denied. A safer option is to book a refundable flight ticket, that way if you ever get a denial, you can always request a refund and get your money back.

So, in this article, we will walk you through the process of how to book refundable flight tickets for a Schengen visa. At the end of this article, you will have all the right procedures to get these tickets without unnecessary financial risks.

Why you should book a refundable flight tickets for a Schengen visa

Its simple, refundable flight tickets offer flexibility, they allow you to cancel or modify your booking in cases where you get a delayed confirmation or your visa is denied. You are always required to show a confirmed itinerary to verify your travel plans at the embassy. A refundable flight ticket helps you fulfill these requirements while safeguarding your investment.

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Flight reservation vs refundable flight ticket: which one is best?

Flight reservations are great, they save you money. You get to have a document with your flight details that you can present to your visa officer. However, most flight reservations only last up to 72 hours which is a very short time if you compare it to how long it would take for your visa confirmation. In most cases, the decision on your visa usually takes up to 15 days.

Refundable flight tickets, on the other hand, give you a longer time up till your travel day which will be longer than the confirmation date for your visa.

Alternatively, you can find a way to negotiate your flight reservation with your flight carrier, you can all reach an agreement on how you can hold your flight reservation for longer.

What is a flight reservation?

A flight reservation is a document that shows you have booked or reserved a seat on a specific flight for the date you intend to travel.  This document includes the following details;

• Your name 
• Type of flight (e.g., round trip or one-way)
• Travel destinations (departure and arrival locations) 
• Flight carrier (airline name) 
• Flight reservation number or booking reference 
• Travel dates (departure and return dates) 

During your Schengen visa application, a flight reservation proves that you intend to travel without being required to purchase the ticket in advance. This is in no way a confirmed or paid ticket but a supporting document to demonstrate your actual travel plans.

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Do I Need to Book a Flight Ticket Before Applying for a Visa?

Absolutely no. You don’t have to buy a flight ticket before you can apply for your visa. You can always present a flight itinerary which you can book without paying the full cost of the flight ticket. Once your visa is granted, you can then purchase your actual flight ticket.

Documents you will need alongside refundable tickets.

When submitting your refundable flight tickets for a Schengen visa which has your flight itinerary, you will need to include;

• A cover letter that explains your travel plans
• Proof of accommodation (can be a hotel reservation if you have no one in the country)
• Travel insurance that covers your visa requirements.

Tips to avoid mistakes when booking your refundable tickets

1. You should read the refund policies carefully:

Most airlines or booking platforms often charge fees either for processing or cancellation which can be slightly significant depending on the provider. While some airlines have a fixed fee for cancellation, others might charge a percentage of the total flight ticket price.  So, you must read their refund policy carefully to understand their terms of refund, timeline, and exclusions. Do not assume that “refundable” means no deduction. Always look out for terms like “full refund” or no “cancellation fees”.

2. Avoid last-minute bookings

There are unnecessary stress and complications that align with last-minute bookings. There may be limited refundable tickets when you book closer to the departure date and this may lead to higher prices or limited flexible options. If there are any errors, you may have a hard time addressing them before your visa appointment.  You should always book your refundable flight tickets for a Schengen visa at least 3 weeks before your appointment, that way you can review and make adjustments if need be.

3. Ignoring Airline deadlines for refund requests

One thing we have seen many travelers do is overlook the importance of refund deadlines when booking refundable flight tickets for a Schengen visa. Different airlines have different policies, some will require you to cancel 24 to 48 hours before the scheduled departure, while others may offer you a refund when you request it within a limited window after booking. Whichever one it is, ensure you don’t miss the deadline as this may result in losing your funds completely.

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 Steps to book refundable flight tickets for a Schengen visa

You need careful planning when booking refundable flight tickets for a Schengen visa, these ensure you comply with the necessary visa requirements while protecting your finances. Some of the steps to start include;

Research Airline offering Refundable fares:

A good way to start is by identifying airlines that operate flights to the Schengen country you wish to travel to. Many international carriers like Air France, emirates, and Lufthansa allow you a flexible booking option. You should start by visiting their website to review their refundable ticket policies.

Use travel search engines:

Platforms like Google Flights, Expedia, and Skyscanner allow you to filter light options based on what you are looking for. Each platform also has different prices so be sure to check the Arline website directly after finding the best option for you.

Book directly through the Airline website.

Booking through a third-party platform like Google Flights can be convenient, but my advice to you is to book directly from the airline’s website that way you get full transparency and support. The airline website will provide you with clearer policies for refund and cancellation, unlike these third-party platforms.  In case of disputes, you are better off dealing directly with the airline and the process is a lot quicker when the tickets are purchased directly.

Choose the right fare class:

When picking out your flight, always opt for refundable fare categories, they are often priced higher than non-refundable but your peace of mind is rest assured. Some airlines may offer your partially refundable fares where you get to keep only the base fare and they get to keep the taxes and fees. Ensure to ask before you proceed.

Confirm the cancellation policy:

Before you finalize your booking, ensure you verify the airline’s refund process. Take your time to confirm that they have a cancellation policy, the timeline for it, and any fee associated with it. If there are terms that are unclear to you, reach out to their support, they will provide a detailed breakdown of that policy.