Appeal an airline or hotel refund denial with an AI-written letter
When a 'non-refundable' trip is canceled for a legitimate reason, AI can help write a documented appeal that gets past the first 'no'.
Part of: How to get a refund for a cancelled or delayed flight
1. Copy this prompt
Paste it into ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini or Grok (the free versions work), then replace the [highlighted brackets] with your details. Leave out account numbers and SSNs.
I had to cancel my trip because [REASON]. I have [DOCUMENTATION]. Booking details: [airline/hotel/OTA, dates, amounts, fare rules]. They refused a refund saying: "[PASTE]". 1) Summarize the relevant policies and any legal rights I have (e.g., US DOT rules if the airline changed or canceled). 2) Draft a polite, firm appeal requesting a refund (or a credit as a fallback), attaching my documentation. 3) List my escalation options if they refuse again.
2. Follow these steps
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What to expect, and what to do if they say no
What happened when people tried it
Reported He reports the hotel agreed to a refund after the first letter and the airline reversed within an hour of the second, recovering about $2,500.
What the AI did: A traveler who had to cancel a trip to Medellín because of a medical emergency asked ChatGPT to advocate for him, with a doctor's note. When the airline refused again, he shared its reply and had ChatGPT write a second letter.
Source: Economic Times (reporting a Reddit post) · 2025-05-23 · Self-reported; not independently verified
Why this works
The problem: Front-line agents often refuse refunds by default, even when there's a good reason or a policy exception.
How AI helps: AI researches the booking site, hotel and airline policies, writes a firm letter with documentation, and rewrites it after each refusal.
Tools & what they cost
| Tool | Cost |
|---|---|
| US DOT Airline refunds Official US refund rules | Free (No cost at all) Free |
| ChatGPT | Free option available (Paid upgrades exist, but the free version works for this) Free tier; paid plans available |
What do these labels mean?
- Free No cost at all.
- Free option available Paid upgrades exist, but the free version works for this.
- Costs money You pay a set price or subscription.
- Takes a cut of savings Charges a percentage of what it saves you.
- Time · Difficulty Our estimates for a typical first try, not guarantees.
- Reported What the linked source says happened, often self-reported. Your results will vary.
Watch out for
- Stick to true facts. Exaggerating a medical issue is dishonest and can backfire.
- Results vary widely by carrier and fare type.
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Sources
- https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/new-updates/man-uses-chatgpt-to-get-2-lakh-refund-from-airline-and-hotel-after-sudden-trip-cancellation/articleshow/121361861.cms
- https://www.transportation.gov/airconsumer/refunds
Last verified 2026-10-19. Not financial, legal, tax or medical advice. Disclaimer.