This is probably a stupid question, but can anybody tell me a bit about the refunding policy for unused C or F tickets ?
It's clear that if I bought a ticket and didn't go to the airport, I could get it refunded. But when ? Can I request the refund only before the flight or let's say 3 days after the flight ?
What if I check in for the flight but end up not getting on the plane ?
Can I check in for 2 different flights at the same airport, board one flight and get the other ticket refunded ?

There are no stupid questions. In Flyertalk there is gossip and info. A moderator should remove gossip. Experienced and less experienced FF's exchange info. This exchange is the reason of existence of Flyertalk.

C-class and F-class tickets (full-fare) are valid one year. Refund can be done any time within the year. At the airline's airport desk refund to your credit card often can be done real-time. Some airlines (AF, KL, etc) however charge you an admin fee.

Not getting to the plane means you still have your flight coupon. With the flight coupon you can ask for a refund. Some airlines even refund after you got to the plane but did not fly.

In August 2001 I boarded a KL flight at AMS. I had only hand luggage. The gate agent took my boarding pass and I entered the tube leading to the plane. While boarding I checked my voice mail. My meeting was postponed. I did not enter the plane and returned to the gate. At the boarding counter I explained the situation. The gate agent took my boarding pass and returned my flight coupon. At the KL ticket desk in the AMS departures hall I asked for an MCO. No problem, I could even get my money refunded at my credit card. To avoid the admin costs I went for an MCO.

If you still have your flight coupon for the other flight and it is a refundable ticket, why not?

[This message has been edited by kurz (edited 03-25-2002).]

Thanks a lot, Kurz. You don't happen to know if Swissair and Crossair (and soon SWISS) impose administration fees on returned tickets ? I once cancelled a C ticket BSL-BRN-BSL 3 days before the flight and wasn't charged anything.