By Anita Dunham-Potter, SmarterLiving.com, 09/12/01

Most of the major airlines are offering refunds on e-tickets via their websites. If you purchased a refundable or unrestricted e-ticket with a credit card in U.S. currency, you can fill out an online form to request a refund. (US Airways is the only airline offering online refunds for all unused tickets.) Here are the airlines offering this service:

Alaska Airlines: Instant Travel customers with an untraveled itinerary and a refundable fare may request a refund for an e-ticket. For a partial refund or for options regarding a non-refundable fare, contact the airline directly at 800-ALASKAAIR (800-252-7522). Refunds for paper tickets require that unused coupons be returned to the airline for processing.

American Airlines: If you purchased refundable air travel on AA.com using the e-ticket option, you may request a refund online using American's form. All refunds will be credited to the original credit card used for payment. Please submit a separate request for each e-ticket to be refunded. Refunds for paper tickets require that unused coupons be returned to the airline for processing.

Delta Airlines: Delta allows those who purchased a refundable or unrestricted e-ticket with a credit card in U.S. currency to fill out an online form. Delta will issue refunds for eligible tickets within seven business days for domestic credit card purchases. Delta notes that refunds may take up to two billing cycles before it is reflected on your credit card statement. Refunds for eligible tickets purchased with cash or check will be processed within 20 business days. Paper tickets require that unused coupons be returned to the airline for processing.

Northwest Airlines: Northwest offers online Exchange processing for unused e-ticket travel. The airline notes that unused tickets may be applied towards the purchase of new tickets for travel within one year of the date of issue for the passenger named on the original ticket. Refunds for paper tickets require that unused coupons be returned to the airline for processing.

United Airlines: United offers automatic electronic refunds for e-tickets to their registered Mileage Plus members. The service allows customers to request a refund for any refundable e-ticket purchased through united.com, United reservations, United city ticket offices, and airport locations. Refunds for paper tickets require that unused coupons be returned to the airline for processing.

US Airways: US Airways is offering to refund for all unused tickets for travel from September 11, 2001 through September 16, 2001, including US Airways, US Airways Express, US Airways Shuttle, and MetroJet by US Airways. The airline notes that if you paid by credit card, the ticket number can be found on credit card statement. Refunds for paper tickets require that unused coupons be returned to the airline for processing.