New Startups Help US Passengers Claim Refunds As Airlines Use AI For Pricing

New startups are helping airline passengers automatically claim refunds or flight credits when ticket prices drop, balancing the use of artificial intelligence tools by US airlines to maximize ticket revenue. Companies like JetBack, Junova, and Refare monitor flight prices after a customer books. They seek refunds or credits when prices fall, filling a gap since airlines use sophisticated pricing systems while travelers usually check prices manually. The business model became possible after the COVID-19 pandemic when many US airlines removed change fees on most non-refundable tickets.

Startup Data And Costs

Junova tracked 10,000 flights between September 2025 and July 2026 and found that about 22 percent experienced a fare drop, with about 40 percent of those dropping more than once. JetBack founder Bryan Dubno stated that his company has recovered $2.4 million in credits and refunds since launching in early 2025. These startups charge different fees for their services. Junova takes 20 percent of the savings, Refare takes 25 percent, and JetBack charges a yearly fee of $100.

Airline Changes

The survival of these startups depends on airlines continuing to allow fare drops without heavy penalties. In 2019, US air carriers collected $2.84 billion in reservation cancellation or change fees. However, some airlines are starting to push back. In early October, Alaska Airlines stopped honoring fare drops through customer service, telling travelers to cancel and rebook under standard rules instead. Alaska does not charge cancellation fees for main and first-class fares, but basic economy tickets only get a 50 percent credit when canceled at least 14 days before departure.

Context

Ticket prices for flights change constantly based on demand and timing, much like stocks. When airlines issue refunds for non-refundable tickets, they often give them as flight credits rather than cash, which keeps the money with the same airline.