How to Cancel a Flight: Step-by-Step Guide For All Main Airlines

Sometimes, our flight plans fall apart. Maybe your PTO request wasn’t approved, a family member has fallen ill, or, in the best case scenario, you found a better travel deal (thanks to your Going subscription, of course). Whatever the reason, canceling a flight can feel like a gamble, especially with nonrefundable tickets and ever-changing airline policies.

Airlines generally don’t like it when you cancel a flight, and they don’t make it easy. For starters, fully refundable tickets are often double the price of regular economy fares, and even if you book a refundable ticket, it may still come with a cancellation fee or price difference depending on when you decide to cancel. So, how can you cancel a flight and lose the least amount of money? Here’s our best expert advice to understand the cancellation process and airline policies, learn if you are eligible for a refund, and how to rebook your flight strategically.

How to cancel a flight ticket purchased in the last 24 hours

If you’ve booked a flight within the last 24 hours, you’re in luck! There’s a crucial piece of information that not everybody knows about: If you buy a ticket for a flight to or from the United States and purchased directly from the airline, you can get a full refund (or change the ticket) with no fees as long as you bought the ticket at least seven days in advance of the trip. This is true whether or not the airline is a US-based carrier; it simply has to be flying you to or from the US. 

This is all thanks to a simple rule from the US Department of Transportation, which requires that airlines must “hold a reservation at the quoted fare for 24 hours without payment or allow a reservation to be canceled within 24 hours without penalty.” Most airlines offer the latter (and many do even when they also offer the first option).

It’s important to note that this 24-hour rule is only applicable when you book directly through the airline—not if you’re booking through an online travel agency (OTA). However, many OTAs, such as Priceline, have similar 24-hour cancellation policies. 

Within this 24-hour period, you can usually cancel your flight directly through the website or call the airline’s customer service.

How to cancel a fully refundable flight ticket purchased more than a day ago

As we mentioned, a fully refundable ticket is usually a bit more expensive than a nonrefundable ticket. That’s why most people don’t end up buying them, especially if they’re looking for flights on a budget. Depending on the airline, a refundable economy flight can sometimes be three times more expensive than a nonrefundable economy flight.

If your ticket is fully refundable, you can usually cancel your flight online. Look for a “My Trips” or “Manage My Flight” section of the airline’s website; the name will vary per airline. Otherwise, you can call the airline’s customer service.

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How to cancel a nonrefundable flight ticket purchased more than a day ago

If you purchased a nonrefundable ticket, sometimes that means you're totally out the money, but other times, it means you can still use some of the value of the ticket for a future flight. In those cases, generally a cancellation fee will be deducted from the original cost of your flight and then any remaining value is provided as a credit/voucher that can be used toward the purchase of another ticket. 

Exactly how much value you’ll retain depends on the fees, and those vary by airline. As soon as you know you won’t make your flight, call the airline immediately and talk to customer service. If you’re lucky, you’ll catch a representative having a great day who is super willing to help you out. Be polite, courteous, and gracious—a pleasant attitude can go a long way.

First, ask for a refund. Explain your circumstances, or look for a loophole. A friend once managed to get her entire flight from New York City to Brazil refunded because a hurricane in the previous week had disrupted so much air travel (it was completely unrelated to her actual circumstances).

If that doesn’t work, your best bet is to ask for a voucher or a flight change. Sometimes an airline will give you a voucher that you can use within a year.

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Flight cancellation policies & best practices

Can you cancel a flight and get a refund?

Whether you’re eligible for a refund depends on your ticket type and airline policy. Tickets that are fully refundable allow you to get your money back, but they’re often significantly more expensive. However, most economy tickets are nonrefundable, meaning that if you cancel, you’ll typically receive a credit or voucher rather than a full refund. In summary, always check your airline’s specific rules before canceling.

How close to departure can I cancel a flight?

Most airlines allow cancellations up to 24 hours before departure, but the closer you get to your flight time, the more you’ll likely pay in penalties. Some airlines, such as Southwest, allow free cancellations even up until 10 minutes before departure, while others, like American Airlines or Delta, may charge fees depending on your ticket type.

How bad does weather have to be to cancel a flight?

Airlines cancel flights due to severe weather conditions that could pose safety risks, including hurricanes, blizzards, heavy thunderstorms, and extreme winds. If there’s light rain or snow, that won’t typically result in a cancellation.

If an airline cancels your flight due to weather, you’re usually entitled to a free rebooking or refund, but that won’t be the case if you proactively cancel because you don’t want to travel in bad weather.

Can the airline just cancel my flight?

Yes, airlines cancel flights all the time due to weather, mechanical issues, crew shortages, or overbooking. If this happens, you have the right to a refund or rebooking at no extra cost. Some airlines may automatically rebook you on the next available flight, while others require you to request a change. Most times, if your new itinerary doesn’t work, you can request a full refund instead.

Is it better to cancel a flight or miss it?

Canceling is always the better option. If you are a no-show, airlines may forfeit your ticket completely, meaning you lose any chance of getting a refund or credit.

Most importantly, if you end up canceling, airlines may allow you to receive a flight credit, which can be useful for rebooking later.

Types of airlines and their policies

Full-service airlines like Delta, American, and Lufthansa often provide more flexibility, allowing ticket changes or cancellations with a fee or credit, depending on the fare class. Many of these airlines also offer refundable ticket options, and their premium fares even include free same-day changes or waived cancellation fees for elite members.

Low-cost carriers like Spirit and Ryanair typically have stricter cancellation policies with no refunds on most tickets. Instead, they include hefty cancellation or change fees—sometimes costing more than the ticket itself.

Read the fine print

Before canceling a flight, it's crucial to study the airline’s cancellation policy in depth. Every carrier has different rules depending on fare class, route, and ticket type (refundable vs. nonrefundable). Most airlines allow free cancellations within 24 hours of booking, while others charge high fees or only offer credit for future travel.

Low-cost airlines are often the ones with the most strict no-refund policies. That’s why understanding the terms before booking is key to save you frustration later. 

Expert tip: Don’t forget to check with your travel insurance or premium credit card company if they offer trip cancellation protection.

The risks of canceling flights

Booking a flight is always easier than canceling it. In fact, canceling a flight ticket can come with significant risks. A strategy that has become popular recently is skiplagging (also known as hidden-city ticketing). This involves booking a cheaper connecting flight and intentionally skipping the last leg to reach your desired destination. 

While this tactic may save money, airlines strongly discourage it. Passengers caught doing it not only risk losing frequent flyer miles but can even get banned from the airline, and, in some cases, face legal consequences. To avoid these risks, it's better to focus on learning how to find cheap flights rather than relying on risky methods.

Timing matters

If you want to cancel your flight and are eligible for a refund, remember that they aren’t always instant. Depending on the airline and payment method, it may take 7 to 14 business days to get the money back. If you cancel and opt for a future travel credit, those funds are usually available immediately.

Canceling right before departure can be even trickier. Some airlines will allow same-day changes for a fee, but others charge high penalties for last-minute cancellations, especially on basic economy fares.

That’s why timing is everything. While the rules can seem against the passengers, we can take advantage of the DOT regulations (which we’ll discuss in depth in a bit). The most important one to remember is the 24-hour rule, which allows you to cancel your flight within 24 hours of booking for a full refund, as long as the flight was booked at least seven days in advance.

Step-by-step process for cancellation, by airline

American Airlines

To cancel an American Airlines flight, visit the "Your Trips" page, select the ticket you want to cancel and click "Cancel Trip." If eligible for a refund or credit, the airline will provide you with your options.

Refundable fares and main cabin tickets may allow cancellations with minimal or no fees, while basic economy fares are nonrefundable unless canceled within 24 hours of booking. If your ticket qualifies for a refund, the amount is typically credited back to the original form of payment within 7–10 business days. 

Delta Air Lines

Delta passengers can cancel flights through the "My Trips" section on the airline’s website by selecting "Modify Flight" and clicking "Start Flight Cancellation." The process is straightforward, and in most cases, Delta does not charge cancellation fees for main cabin or higher fare classes.

Refund eligibility depends on the fare type, with basic economy tickets being nonrefundable. Delta allows passengers to rebook flights using eCredits, which are valid for one year from the original ticket issue date. 

Southwest Airlines

Canceling a Southwest Airlines ticket is easy thanks to its no-change-fee policy across all fare types. To cancel, head to the "Manage Reservations" section of the airline’s website, enter your confirmation number, and select your flight. 

Unlike most airlines, Southwest does not charge cancellation fees, and even Wanna Get Away fares (which are usually nonrefundable) allow travelers to convert the ticket value into travel credit for later use. All Southwest passengers can receive a full refund or travel credit for future use.

JetBlue Airways

To cancel a JetBlue flight, sign in to your account and go to the "Manage Trips" section. After selecting your flight, click "Cancel Flight." There, you will find all available refund or credit options based on your fare class.

Blue Basic fares are nonrefundable, while other fare types allow free cancellations with credit or full refunds for premium tickets. JetBlue also offers Travel Bank credits, which passengers can use toward future bookings. 

United Airlines

If you want to cancel a United Airlines flight, access the "My Trips" section of its website. After entering your booking details, select "Cancel Flight." Then, depending on your fare type, you may receive a refund, travel credit, or be charged a cancellation fee.

Basic economy fares are nonrefundable, while standard economy and higher fares allow for free changes or credits toward future flights.

Allegiant Air

Allegiant Air has a strict cancellation policy and charges a $75 fee per segment unless travelers purchase Trip Flex, which allows for free modifications. To cancel, visit the "Manage Travel" section on the airline’s website, enter your confirmation details, and follow the prompts.

Most Allegiant tickets are nonrefundable, and cancellations without Trip Flex require purchasing a new ticket. If a passenger must cancel, converting the fare into a future travel credit is usually the best option.

EasyJet

EasyJet passengers can cancel flights on the "Manage Bookings" section of its website. The airline offers partial refunds depending on how far in advance the cancellation occurs. Like all US flights, if canceled before 24 hours of booking, you will receive a full refund (minus a cancellation fee); otherwise, only airport taxes are refunded.

EasyJet allows passengers to change flight dates for a fee rather than canceling entirely, which is great for flexible travelers. Also, if a flight is missed, rebooking at the airport may be possible at a reduced rate.

Ryanair

Passengers looking to cancel their flight should head to the "My Bookings" section of its website, select "Cancel Flight," and follow the instructions.

Ryanair’s cancellation policy is one of the most restrictive among budget airlines. Standard fares are nonrefundable, meaning passengers typically forfeit their ticket cost unless Ryanair cancels the flight.

I’ve canceled my flight. Now what?

Changing vs. canceling your flight

Canceling a flight isn’t always the best option—sometimes, changing it can save you money and stress. Many airlines offer free flight changes on certain fare types, allowing you to move your travel dates (instead of losing your ticket value).

Before canceling, check if you can modify your itinerary for free—especially if you booked a main cabin or higher fare class. If your airline provides future travel credits instead of a refund, it may be better to reschedule rather than cancel altogether. 

Compensation rights under DOT regulations

The US Department of Transportation (DOT) requires airlines to provide refunds for canceled flights, even for nonrefundable tickets, if the airline itself cancels or significantly changes your itinerary. 

In these cases, you may also be eligible for meal vouchers, hotel accommodations, and rebooking assistance. Always check your airline’s specific policies to be sure. And if needed, file a claim directly with the carrier or the DOT.

Of course, if you voluntarily cancel your flight, refund eligibility depends entirely on the airline’s rules after the 24-hour rule.

What to do in case of special travel restrictions

Many carriers introduced flexible booking policies during COVID-19, waiving change fees and offering extended credits. It’s worth checking with your carrier as some of these policies remain in effect. Similarly, if you’re traveling to a country affected by conflict or restrictions, be sure to look into government travel advisories as well as your airline’s waiver policies to avoid any unforeseen disruptions.

Pro tips for avoiding future cancellations

Travel insurance: Is it worth it?

Travel insurance is often marketed as a must-have, but truth is, credit cards already offer similar protections. For example, premium travel cards like Chase Sapphire Reserve and American Express Platinum provide coverage for trip cancellations, delays, and lost baggage, reducing the need for third-party policies.

However, if you’re booking a nonrefundable ticket, traveling internationally, or have prepaid hotel stays, insurance might be worth considering—especially for medical emergencies abroad. If you end up getting coverage, make sure it includes trip interruption protection and that you are fully aware of its refund policies.

Booking strategies to minimize cancellation risks

Booking flexible fares is the easiest way to avoid costly cancellations. Many airlines now allow free changes on main cabin or higher tickets, and some even let you change basic economy tickets for a small fee. You can also look for fare classes labeled "flex" or "refundable," which offer better cancellation policies.

A simple tip to avoid missing connections (and therefore last minute cancellations) is to book direct flights whenever possible. If your schedule is uncertain, consider booking with an airline that doesn’t charge change fees (such as Southwest).

Another smart approach is to use flight search tools to find the best price. Knowing how to find cheap flights ensures you get the best price upfront and don’t have to resort to canceling your ticket.

Check all the flight details

Before buying your ticket, double-check every aspect of your itinerary. No one wants to cancel their flight over a small mistake like incorrect travel dates, baggage restrictions, or an unnecessarily long layover.

Remember to pay close attention to details like departure times, visa requirements, and connection times. Also, if you’re booking through third-party sites, always verify your ticket details with the airline directly.

Track flights and prices with Going

If you book your flight at the best possible price, you won’t feel the need to cancel and rebook just to save money! So, instead of worrying about fluctuating prices, sign up for Going’s flight alerts and receive the best deals before you buy.

With Going’s Limited membership, you can get the best deals for domestic US flights. Premium and Elite members also receive notifications for discounted fares, mistake fares, and international travel deals, helping you secure the lowest price upfront.

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