Holiday 2026 Late Delivery Refunds: FedEx and UPS Changes

Do late delivery refunds still apply over the 2026 holidays?

Yes, on the services FedEx and UPS guarantee. The big change this season is timing: FedEx moves morning delivery commitments back 90 minutes from November 23, 2026 through January 4, 2027, so a package has to arrive later before it counts as late.

As of November 4, 2026, FedEx has not announced a holiday suspension of its money back guarantee, as it did last December. UPS keeps its guarantee on its covered air services. Every claim still has to be filed within 15 calendar days.

For the full list of covered services and how claims work, see our FedEx and UPS late delivery refunds guide. This post covers what changes between Thanksgiving and New Year.

What is FedEx changing for the 2026 holidays?

From November 23, 2026 to January 4, 2027, FedEx extends every A.M. delivery commitment of 12 p.m. or earlier by 90 minutes. A package only counts as late, and only qualifies for a refund, if it misses the extended time.

FedEx First Overnight Freight and FedEx 1Day Freight are on the extension list too. FedEx also says residential deliveries with a 1:30 p.m. commitment may be extended by 90 minutes.

Two details trip up shippers every year. First, FedEx notes that printed labels may not show the extended time, so the label is not a reliable test. Second, FedEx Standard Overnight is not on the extension list, so its normal afternoon commitment still applies.

Will FedEx suspend the money back guarantee again this December?

Not so far. Last season, FedEx suspended the guarantee for packages shipped on or after December 1, 2025. It brought back U.S. domestic services on January 13, 2026, and international services on February 12, 2026.

As of November 4, 2026, FedEx's money back guarantee page lists the holiday commitment extension but no suspension. FedEx says the status of the guarantee is evaluated on an ongoing basis, so a notice could still come.

If one does, it will likely work like last year's: based on ship date. Packages shipped before the effective date keep their eligibility, which is one more reason to file claims every week rather than at month end.

What about UPS late delivery refunds during peak season?

The UPS Service Guarantee stays in place on its covered services: Next Day Air Early, Next Day Air, Next Day Air Saver, 2nd Day Air A.M. and the Worldwide Express services. UPS Ground and other ground services are still not covered, holiday or not.

UPS Next Day Air Saver is guaranteed until 11:59 p.m. on the delivery day until further notice. When UPS adjusts commitment times, it bases the guarantee on the revised times, so check the UPS Service Guarantee page before you count a package as late.

A holiday checklist for late delivery refunds

1. Measure against the holiday commitment, not the label. From November 23 to January 4, add 90 minutes to FedEx morning commitments before you call a package late.
2. Only count covered services. FedEx Ground, FedEx Home Delivery, UPS Ground and standard two day services do not qualify, however late they arrive.
3. File every week. The 15 day window does not pause for the holidays. A package scheduled for December 22 has to be claimed by January 6.
4. Watch for a suspension notice. Check the FedEx money back guarantee page and the UPS Service Guarantee page at the start of each week in December.
5. Follow up after New Year. Confirm credits posted on your January invoices and dispute any eligible claim that was denied.

Peak season brings the most express volume, the tightest cutoffs and the busiest teams. It is also when the most refunds expire unclaimed.

Let ShipPlug handle holiday refunds for you

ShipPlug checks every eligible FedEx and UPS package against its exact commitment time, holiday extensions included, and files the refund inside the 15 day window. Setup takes under 3 minutes.

• One minute late qualifies. Every package on a covered service is checked automatically.
• No claims lost to the holiday rush. Refunds are filed on time, even the week of Christmas.
• No carrier change. Keep your FedEx and UPS accounts, your rates and your 3PL.
• Nothing upfront and no setup fees. We only get paid from the refunds we recover.
• No contracts on refunds. Cancel anytime.

Book a Demo and have refunds running before November 23.

Holiday late delivery refund FAQ

Do FedEx late delivery refunds apply during the holidays? Yes, on covered services such as Priority Overnight and 2Day A.M. From November 23, 2026 to January 4, 2027, morning commitments move back 90 minutes, so a package must miss the extended time to qualify.

Is the FedEx money back guarantee suspended for peak season 2026? As of November 4, 2026, no suspension has been announced. Last year FedEx suspended it for packages shipped on or after December 1, 2025.

Does the holiday extension apply to FedEx Standard Overnight? No. Standard Overnight is not on FedEx's extension list, so its normal commitment applies.

Does UPS change its guarantee for the holidays? The UPS Service Guarantee stays active on its covered air and international services. When UPS revises delivery commitments, the guarantee follows the revised times.

How long do I have to file a late delivery claim in December? 15 calendar days from the scheduled delivery date, holidays included.

Does UPS Ground or FedEx Ground qualify for a refund at Christmas? No. Ground services at both carriers remain suspended from the guarantee.

Sources

• FedEx Service Guide: money back guarantee policy and holiday delivery commitment times
• UPS Service Guarantee