You’ve just booked a flight for your dream vacation, but an unexpected work commitment comes up, messing up your plans. Or perhaps you’re ready for a business trip when a family emergency makes you stay home. We’ve all felt that sinking feeling when we realize we need to cancel a flight we’ve already paid for. So, the question you will likely ask yourself is, “Can I cancel a flight and get a refund?”
Canceling a flight doesn’t always mean losing your money. In this guide, we’ll show you how to cancel a flight while preserving the value of your ticket. From understanding airline rules to using little-known tricks, we have tips to give you peace of mind about future travel plans.
Understand Your Airline’s Cancellation Policy
Airlines have different cancellation policies, affecting whether you get a refund or credit. For instance, Southwest Airlines offers no change or cancellation fees on any fare, providing the most flexibility for travelers.
If you’re wondering how late you can cancel a flight with Frontier Airlines, no fee applies for changes or cancellations made 60 or more days before departure. A $49 fee applies if changes or cancellations are made 7 to 59 days before departure, and a $79 fee applies if made 0 to 6 days before departure. Fees increase as the departure date approaches.
Allegiant Air often charges high fees for changes or cancellations, typically around $75. Meanwhile, United Airlines and Delta Air Line waive change and cancellation fees for main cabin tickets and higher classes.
Basic economy fares are generally non-refundable and non-changeable, which is common among most airlines.
To find your airline’s specific cancellation policy, visit the airline’s website and look for sections labeled “Fare Rules” or “Cancellation Policy.” For instance, Philippine Airlines offers comprehensive details on its “Passenger Options” page, including fare conditions and available refund options.
In addition, the U.S. Department of Transportation mandates a 24-hour refund policy for tickets booked at least seven days before departure. This means you can cancel your booking within 24 hours without penalty if you booked at least a week before your flight.
Types of Tickets and Their Refundability
Airlines typically offer two main types of tickets: fully refundable and non-refundable.
Fully Refundable Tickets
Fully refundable flight tickets offer the highest level of flexibility, allowing passengers to cancel their flight any time and receive a full refund to their original form of payment. This type of ticket is ideal for travelers who have uncertain plans or prioritize the ability to make changes over the ticket’s cost.
However, this flexibility comes at a price. On average, fully refundable tickets can cost two to four times more than non-refundable tickets, and the price difference can be as much as ten times. So, if you’ve purchased a non-refundable ticket that costs around $300, a fully refundable ticket for the same route could be priced at $1,200 or more.
Non-refundable Tickets
Non-refundable tickets are usually the cheapest fare option offered by airlines. Although labeled “non-refundable,” this doesn’t mean you can’t cancel or change your flight; rather, it typically means:
- No Cash Refund: You won’t receive a cash refund if you cancel.
- Voucher Issuance: Instead of a cash refund, the value of the ticket may be issued as a voucher for future travel.
- Change Fees: You might need to pay a fee to use the ticket value towards a different flight.
Despite their name, non-refundable tickets often come with some flexibility:
- 24-Hour Rule: For flights to or from the U.S., airlines must allow a fee-free cancellation within 24 hours of booking if the ticket was purchased at least 7 days before the flight.
- Travel Waivers: During significant disruptions, such as severe weather, airlines may issue waivers allowing fee-free changes or cancellations.
- Schedule Changes: If the airline significantly alters your flight time, you might be entitled to a refund or a fee-free change.
- Airline Cancellations: If the airline cancels your flight, you are typically entitled to a full refund, even if the ticket is non-refundable.
Steps to Take Before Cancelling Your Flight
Before opting for a flight ticket cancellation, consider that it may not always be the best solution. Exploring alternative options, such as rescheduling or modifying your booking, could offer more flexibility and save you money.
Look for Any Applicable Deadlines for Cancellations or Changes
When planning to make changes to your flight booking, understanding the deadlines for modifications is crucial. Different airlines have their policies and timelines. For example:
- American Airlines allows you to rebook your ticket up to 24 hours before the original flight’s departure. This allows some flexibility for changes, but you must act within this timeframe.
- Japan Airlines allows changes to be made up to 72 hours before the departure of the first flight sector for bookings made on its website. This policy offers more flexibility than some other airlines.
These deadlines are important because they dictate how long you have to change your booking without incurring extra fees or losing the ability to make modifications. The specific rules can vary depending on factors like the type of ticket you purchased, the route of your flight, and how you booked it (e.g., directly through the airline or via a third-party service).
Always check your airline’s exact policy to avoid unexpected costs or restrictions. Knowing these deadlines ensures you can manage your travel plans effectively and avoid unnecessary fees.
Consider Rescheduling
Many airlines offer flexibility when changing flight dates or times, often with reduced or waived fees. For instance, AirAsia allows passengers to adjust their flight dates or times up to 48 hours before the scheduled departure. These changes can be managed through the airline’s website or support channels. However, change fees and fare differences might apply based on the fare type and timing of the change.
Some airlines have updated their policies to offer more flexibility in response to recent global events. When considering rescheduling, check whether your fare type permits changes and if any associated costs apply.
For convenience, many airlines offer self-service options for modifying bookings through their websites or apps. For example, American Airlines provides a “Change trip” option on their online booking management system, allowing passengers to adjust dates, times, and sometimes even routes.
Similarly, United Airlines features a “Change Flight” option on its website, enabling passengers to search for and select new flight options for domestic and international itineraries.
Rescheduling your flight can often be a more cost-effective solution than canceling it, helping you keep your travel plans with minimal disruption.
How to Cancel Your Flight
Here’s a general step-by-step guide on how to cancel a plane ticket. Remember, you can also cancel your ticket using the airline’s mobile app for added convenience:
- Log In to Your Account: Visit the airline’s website and log into your account using your credentials.
- Access Your Bookings: Navigate to the website section where your bookings or reservations are listed. This is often found under “My Trips” or “Manage Booking.”
- Select the Flight: Choose the flight you wish to cancel from your list of bookings.
- Initiate Cancellation: Look for an option that says “Cancel Flight” or “Request Cancellation.” Click on it to begin the cancellation process.
- Review Cancellation Policy: Carefully read the airline’s cancellation policy, including any fees or refund eligibility.
- Confirm Cancellation: Follow the prompts to finalize your cancellation. You may need to provide a reason for canceling.
- Receive Confirmation: Once the cancellation is processed, you should receive a confirmation email or notification. Keep this for your records.
How to Preserve the Value of Your Flight Ticket
After successfully canceling your flight, the next step is to ensure that you do not lose the value of your ticket. Here’s how:
Request a travel credit or voucher
Many airlines offer travel credits or vouchers as an alternative to refunds when passengers need to cancel or change their flights. For instance, if you booked with Delta Air Lines and need to cancel, you can request an eCredit by visiting delta.com. Start by logging into your SkyMiles account and navigating to the “My Trips” section.
From there, select your booking, click on “Modify Flight,” then choose “Cancel Flight,” and opt for “eCredit” as your refund method. Your eCredit will be issued to your SkyMiles account within 24 hours, and you can redeem it for future travel on the Delta website.
When planning to use travel credits for future bookings, take note of their expiration dates, restrictions, and any associated fees to maximize their value. For example, many travel credits are valid for two years from the date of issuance and can be used incrementally until the total amount is either used up or expires. AirAsia offers travel vouchers valid for five years from the issuance date, while credits in a Credit Account are valid for two years.
It’s also important to note that many airlines do not permit the combination of travel credits with other payment forms, such as travel certificates, and there may be limits on the number of credits used per transaction. For example, American Airlines flight credits can only be used for booking non-award flights and cannot be applied to additional charges like seat selections or baggage fees.
Utilize Travel Insurance
Travel insurance providers offer valuable financial protection if you need to cancel or interrupt your trip due to unforeseen circumstances. Here’s an overview of how these providers typically handle cancellations:
Standard Trip Cancellation Coverage
Most comprehensive travel insurance policies include standard trip cancellation coverage for specific reasons. If you need to cancel your trip for a covered reason, you can generally expect to be reimbursed for up to 100% of your prepaid, non-refundable trip costs. Common covered reasons include:
- Illness, injury, or death: This applies to you, a travel companion, or a close family member
- Natural disasters or severe weather occurring at your destination
- Terrorism at your destination
- Jury duty or legal obligations that require your presence
- Job loss or work-related reasons (with certain restrictions)
For instance, if you spent $5,000 on a non-refundable vacation package and had to cancel due to a covered illness, standard trip cancellation coverage could reimburse you the full $5,000.
Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) Coverage
CFAR is an optional upgrade that provides more flexibility but with certain conditions:
- Reimbursement: Typically covers 50 to 75% of your prepaid, non-refundable trip costs
- Purchase Window: Depending on the insurer, you must buy within 14 to 21 days of making your initial trip deposit
- Cancellation Notice: You must cancel at least 48 to 72 hours before your scheduled departure, though this can vary by policy
CFAR coverage allows you to cancel your trip for reasons not covered under standard policies, offering greater flexibility in managing your travel plans.
Takeaway
Understanding how to cancel a flight and utilizing travel insurance can help travelers safeguard the value of their tickets when plans change unexpectedly. Airlines have different policies, with some offering flexibility and others imposing fees based on timing.
Sign up with OneAir today to manage your flight bookings, including cancellations. By becoming a member, you can access exclusive deals, save on travel expenses, and benefit from OneAir’s services, which may allow changes or refunds based on airline fare rules and regulations.
