Airlines introduce free refunds for price drops
Three major Chinese airlines — Air China, China Eastern, and China Southern — have introduced new measures to protect passengers, allowing refunds if ticket prices drop after purchase.
Air China allows passengers to verify itineraries and fares via its official app or WeChat mini-program. If a price discrepancy is found, passengers can call the airline's hotline 95583, and once verified, the airline refunds the fare difference.
Passengers who buy a one-way direct domestic ticket through Air China's app or mini-program may, if a lower fare for the same traveler and itinerary is purchased on any domestic platform, request a free refund on the original ticket within the specified time frame.
China Eastern offers fare verification through its app or mini-program. If irregularities are identified, passengers can call 95530 for a fare difference refund. Should the original ticket price drop, passengers can repurchase the same ticket within 24 hours via the same platform and receive a free refund on the original ticket.
Additionally, the "two-hour full refund" policy allows eligible passengers two free refunds within 180 days, provided the request is made within two hours of purchase and at least 12 hours before departure.
China Southern allows itinerary and fare verification via its app or mini-program. Price inconsistencies or excessive change fees can be reported through 95539 or the app, with the airline compensating the fare difference once verified.
For domestic tickets purchased through China Southern's official channels, if the fare drops within 24 hours of purchase, passengers can buy a new ticket at the lower price and request a free refund on the original ticket.
Source: https://english.shanghai.gov.cn/en-Latest-WhatsNew/20260410/47254349bda24005924d37418d3aa729.html


















