If you book through a travel agent the only way to get a refund is through that travel agent as they are the ones who actuall hold your money. The airline won't get that until around 3 months after travel.
It would be up to the travel agent as to whether you could use your original ticket as a credit towards another trip. You may be charged an amendment fee but in theory it is up to the agency and their internal policies.
This is what I've come to understand in training and I am certainly open to correction on this.