Can I get a full refund for a visa delay?

Almost never. Unless you purchased a fully refundable (flexible) ticket, airlines treat visa issues as a failure on the part of the passenger to be prepared.

Should I wait until 24 hours before the flight to call?

No. Call as early as possible. If you wait until the flight departs and you are a 'no-show,' the airline may cancel your entire return trip as well.

Does my credit card offer help?

Check your card's 'Trip Cancellation/Interruption' benefits. While visa delays are usually excluded, some premium cards offer trip delay protection that can offset costs if your trip is pushed back.

Changing international flights due to passport or visa delays

Do not wait for the documentation to arrive before contacting the airline. Notify them immediately to place your booking on 'hold' or request a flight credit to avoid a total loss of your ticket value.

Contact the airline immediately. Call the airline's customer service line the moment you realize your document will not arrive on time. Ask to speak to a supervisor if the first agent says they cannot help. The goal is to move your flight to a later date before it 'departs' as a no-show.
Request a flight credit. If you don't have a new travel date, ask the agent to cancel your ticket and convert the value into an 'e-credit' or 'future travel voucher.' This preserves the value of your ticket for 12 months in most cases.
Minimize change fees. If the airline refuses to waive change fees, ask if there is a 'voluntary change' option. It is almost always cheaper to pay a $200-$400 change fee than to lose the entire cost of an international ticket.
Check your travel insurance. If you purchased 'Cancel for Any Reason' (CFAR) insurance, submit a claim for the change fees. If you have standard insurance, document your passport/visa delay with official correspondence; some policies cover trip delays caused by government processing issues.

Can I get a full refund for a visa delay?: Almost never. Unless you purchased a fully refundable (flexible) ticket, airlines treat visa issues as a failure on the part of the passenger to be prepared.
Should I wait until 24 hours before the flight to call?: No. Call as early as possible. If you wait until the flight departs and you are a 'no-show,' the airline may cancel your entire return trip as well.
Does my credit card offer help?: Check your card's 'Trip Cancellation/Interruption' benefits. While visa delays are usually excluded, some premium cards offer trip delay protection that can offset costs if your trip is pushed back.