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Manage Trip Cancellations with Credit Card

Key Takeaways

Most flight and hotel bookings come with strict cancellation rules, making full refunds unlikely.
Managing trip cancellations is also a challenge due to additional charges, distinct policies across providers, and rescheduling costs.
IDFC FIRST Bank credit cards help manage trip cancellations with an insurance coverage for the non-refundable portion of bookings.
The coverage differs based on the credit card type. Some cards come with reimbursement based on specific criteria, while others offer a CFAR insurance benefit.

27 Mar 2026 by Team FinFIRST

IDFC FIRST Bank credit cards help you manage trip cancellations

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When planning a holiday, trip cancellations are often overlooked. However, plans don’t always go the way you expect. By the time things change, flights and hotels are often already booked, and refunds aren’t always possible. This makes it important to factor in trip cancellations while planning for a trip.

IDFC FIRST Bank Credit Cards can help you stay better prepared and handle trip cancellations with more confidence. Here’s how.

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Challenges that come with trip cancellations

When a planned trip takes an unanticipated turn, recovering the booking cost is one of the main challenges.

Non-refundable bookings

Many airlines and accommodation providers offer discounted prices for some bookings. While this may seem cost-effective and rewarding, such bookings also come with strict cancellation rules. In most cases, recovering the full amount isn’t an option.

Distinct cancellation policies

For long trips with different plans, you may make multiple bookings. In such cases, the cancellation policies differ between service providers. Some may offer partial refunds on cancellations made within a specific period, while others may exclude refunds altogether.

Additional costs for rescheduling

If you plan to reschedule your flights or modify hotel reservations due to a change in trip dates, you may incur extra charges. Making a fresh booking post-cancellation works better in such cases. The best credit cards offset such costs with trip cancellation benefits.

How IDFC FIRST Bank credit cards help manage trip cancellations

Specific IDFC FIRST Bank credit cards are designed with travel-focused benefits to help you manage trip cancellations. Here’s how the trip cancellation credit card benefits work for each card:

Reimbursement for non-refundable portion

IDFC FIRST Bank credit cards help you reduce the impact of the non-refundable portion of your bookings. If a trip gets cancelled, you need not worry about recovering costs.

Coverage for multiple bookings

As most trips include flights and accommodation, cancellations can lead to significant losses. Hence, choosing a credit card that helps protect the non-refundable portion of your bookings becomes essential. IDFC FIRST Bank credit cards offer trip cancellation coverage for eligible non-refundable flight and hotel bookings.

Travel protection with other perks

As travel uncertainties go beyond trip cancellations, IDFC FIRST Bank offers comprehensive travel protection with select credit cards. With such extensive coverage, you enjoy financial protection against baggage loss, delayed flights, missed connecting flights, etc.

Support confident trip planning

You can plan and make advance bookings with the best credit cards for travel from IDFC FIRST Bank. They reduce concerns around potential financial losses if plans change. Trip cancellations feel like a routine rather than a major financial decision.

No cover add-ons, no extra costs

Most airlines and hotels offer a zero-cancellation add-on during the payment stage to cover cancellation charges up to a certain limit. However, it attracts a significant percentage of the booking amount. IDFC FIRST Bank credit cards could save you from this added cost, depending on the type of booking and terms.

Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR): How it helps travellers

Reasons for changing travel plans are never definite. So, meeting a certain criterion for coverage is not always possible. This is why IDFC FIRST Bank offers Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) insurance. Here’s how it helps:

Flexibility

Whether it is work commitments, family responsibilities, your travel partner changing plans, or any other personal reason, you can claim the trip cancellation benefit for any reason, subject to certain conditions. You must cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled date. Make sure the non-refundable portion is within the coverage limit. Claim only when bookings and cancellations are made within the policy period.

Sizeable coverage

Select IDFC FIRST Bank cards offer a practical coverage amount for trip cancellation, applicable per year. The amount ranges between ₹10,000 and ₹50,000 based on the type of credit card you select.

For example, FIRST Wealth Credit Card, FIRST Select Credit Card, and FIRST WOW! Credit Card include a trip cancellation cover of up to ₹10,000. Up to ₹25,000 coverage is applicable to Ashva Credit Card and IndiGo IDFC FIRST Credit Card. Mayura Credit Card offers a CFAR insurance of up to ₹50,000 (up to ₹25,000 for flights + up to ₹25,000 for hotels).

Reduced financial burden

Because of the safety net that the CFAR insurance provides, you can make cancellations with reduced impact on your finances. As a result, there is no regret surrounding an unavoidable decision.

Key things to know about trip cancellation support from IDFC FIRST Bank

Here are some practical details worth considering in IDFC FIRST Bank’s trip cancellation credit card benefits for making informed decisions:

Bookings must be made using the eligible credit card

The flight or hotel reservation should be booked using the eligible IDFC FIRST Bank credit card to claim the trip cancellation benefit. This step links the booking directly to the credit card statement.

Keep the card active to claim the benefit

The credit card must be used at least once for a purchase or cash withdrawal in a month. This ensures smooth claim processing for trip cancellation coverage.

Timeline for cancellation matters

Cancelling within a specified window, for example, 24 hours before the scheduled flight or check-in, helps you qualify for the trip cancellation benefit.

Coverage limits and usage conditions apply

Trip cancellation benefits on IDFC FIRST Bank credit cards come with a designated coverage. Also, you can use the coverage for a maximum of two cancellations during the policy period, as specified for different credit cards.

Credit cards that offer trip cancellation insurance

IDFC FIRST Bank offers multiple credit cards with built-in travel protection benefits. Here’s how the trip cancellation insurance works in each of them:

Mayura Credit Card

The Mayura Credit Card by IDFC FIRST Bank comes with a CFAR insurance of up to ₹25,000 for flights and ₹25,000 for hotels. This is valid for two claims in a year. Additionally, you enjoy 4 complimentary international and domestic airport lounge access. Other benefits include zero forex markup and offers on movie tickets and golf.

Ashva Credit Card

With the Ashva Credit Card, the reimbursement benefit under the CFAR insurance is capped at up to ₹25,000 with two claims per year. This is in addition to comprehensive travel insurance of USD 1,200. You also enjoy a low forex markup rate, B1G1 free offer on movie tickets, 4 complimentary airport lounge access in India and 2 for overseas airport lounges, etc.

FIRST Wealth Credit Card

The trip cancellation cover in the FIRST Wealth Credit Card is up to ₹10,000 with two eligible claims during the policy period. This is coupled with a low forex markup of 1.5% plus GST, 10X rewards on incremental spends, and movie ticket offers.

FIRST Select Credit Card

Similar to the FIRST Wealth Credit Card, you get reimbursed for up to ₹10,000 on non-refundable flight and hotel cancellations with a FIRST Select Credit Card. Other travel benefits include complimentary domestic airport lounge access and 4 complimentary accesses to Indian railway lounges. Also, enjoy movie ticket discounts and purchase offers on 300+ brands.

IndiGo IDFC FIRST Credit Card

Specifically designed for travellers, the IndiGo IDFC FIRST Credit Card comes with a trip cancellation cover of up to ₹25,000 with two claims per year. Bonus perks include a low forex markup of 1.49%, zero joining fee (only with an FD-backed credit card variant), IndiGo BluChips, and more.

FIRST WOW! Black Credit Card

This FD-backed credit card comes with a trip cancellation cover of ₹10,000 valid for two claims during the policy period. Other perks include zero forex markup, personal accident insurance of ₹2 lakhs, roadside assistance cover, rewards on travel bookings, 1% fuel surcharge waiver, 25% off on movie tickets, etc.

Make your travel plans stress-free

Travel plans can change unexpectedly, making it important to consider flexibility while booking. Credit cards offering trip cancellation insurance can help reduce the financial impact of such changes.

IDFC FIRST Bank provides a range of credit cards travel protection benefits, including CFAR insurance and reimbursement-based coverage, depending on card type. While coverage terms may vary, these features offer added convenience when making advance bookings.

Choosing a card that aligns with your travel needs can help you plan more efficiently while managing uncertainties better.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I claim trip cancellation benefits if I booked through a third-party travel app?

The platform doesn't matter as much as the payment method. As long as you paid using your eligible IDFC FIRST Bank credit card and it's a non-refundable booking, you're covered. Note that the cover only applies to the base flight ticket or room rate, not add-ons like food, taxi, or sightseeing charges.

Does the trip cancellation benefit start as soon as I get my card?

Not exactly. The coverage follows a fixed annual policy cycle, not your activation date. It starts from 8th May 2025 or your card issuance date, whichever is later, and runs till 7th May 2026. Always check your policy window before making a booking.

Can I use the trip cancellation benefit for international trips too?

Yes, the benefit offered by IDFC FIRST Bank covers both domestic and international flights and hotels. You get up to two claims per policy period across any combination of these. Just ensure both the booking and cancellation happen within the policy period to qualify.

I got a partial refund from the airline. Can I still make a claim?

Yes, IDFC FIRST Bank covers the non-refundable portion that the airline or hotel didn't return to you. The merchant's refund gets deducted, and the remaining loss is reimbursed up to your card's coverage limit. Just raise the claim within 30 days and submit all documents within 60 days of cancellation.

Disclaimer

The contents of this article/infographic/picture/video are meant solely for information purposes. The contents are generic in nature and for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for specific advice in your own circumstances. The information is subject to updation, completion, revision, verification and amendment and the same may change materially. The information is not intended for distribution or use by any person in any jurisdiction where such distribution or use would be contrary to law or regulation or would subject IDFC FIRST Bank or its affiliates to any licensing or registration requirements. IDFC FIRST Bank shall not be responsible for any direct/indirect loss or liability incurred by the reader for taking any financial decisions based on the contents and information mentioned. Please consult your financial advisor before making any financial decision.

The features, benefits and offers mentioned in the article are applicable as on the day of publication of this blog and is subject to change without notice. The contents herein are also subject to other product specific terms and conditions and any third party terms and conditions, as applicable. Please refer our website www.idfcfirst.bank.in for latest updates.