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Airline Change and Cancellation Fees for Cash Tickets and How To Avoid Them!

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Key Takeaways

  • Airlines often charge fees for changing or canceling tickets, with the amount varying depending on the fare class, airline, and whether the flight is domestic or international.
  • Flexible or refundable tickets typically come at a higher price but allow for no-cost changes.
  • You can cancel or change a ticket for free within 24 hours of purchase, provided the flight is more than 7 days away.

Changing or canceling flights is probably not your idea of a good time. Who wants to cancel a flight, especially if it’s supposed to take you on a vacation? But when plans change, knowing your options for updating flight plans is key.

We’ve outlined vital information about changing or canceling flights with some of the most popular airlines for cash tickets so you can be prepared if you need to adjust your flight.

Airline Change and Cancellation Fees (Cash Tickets)

Most airlines require you to pay to change or cancel flights, even when you have paid for your ticket. Each airline has unique rules, so it’s easy to get confused about what you pay.

What Are Change and Cancellation Fees?

Most airline tickets are nonrefundable, especially if you’re on a basic fare. Refundable tickets are much more common for business fares, but you pay a premium for those tickets.

If you have to change a flight because of an unforeseen event, you’re in luck, as many airlines have adjusted their change policies because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Still, a cancellation charge likely applies if you cancel a trip. These fees vary by airline, so we’ll discuss the specifics below.

Quick Tips To Avoid Cancellation or Change Fees

  1. The U.S. Department of Transportation requires airlines to allow customers to cancel or change a ticket at no cost within 24 hours of purchase if the ticket is purchased at least 7 days before departure.
  2. Under some circumstances, you can get change and cancellation fees waived. For example, if you experience the death of an immediate family member or your travel companion or have jury duty, you might qualify for a fee waiver.
  3. Use schedule changes to your advantage. Make sure you know the airline’s schedule change policy. If your departure or arrival time changes, you might be eligible for a free change or cancellation. If you have a chance of a schedule change, you should consider waiting until the deadline to cancel so you can cite the schedule change.
  4. Know which airlines will allow you to fly standby on the day of your flight so you don’t have to pay to change flights.
  5. Sometimes it’s better to dump your reservation and book a new flight rather than pay the fee to change the original ticket.
Bottom Line:

There are many pitfalls when trying to change or cancel a flight. Make sure you know your options before booking!

Which Credit Cards Have Trip Cancellation Insurance?

Cards such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred® CardChase Sapphire Reserve®, and Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card have trip cancellation insurance that can help recoup the cost of airfare if you need to cancel your flight for a covered reason.

Change and Cancellation Policies and Fees by Airline

The following are change and cancellation fees and policies by airline. These can be subject to change, and agents can waive some fees in certain situations, so always be nice to your customer service agent.

Hot Tip:

Aeromexico

Low Season Change Fee:

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Fare Type/Region

USA

Canada

National

Central America and the Caribbean

Basic

Not allowed

Not allowed

Not allowed

Not allowed

Classic

$200

$150: 8+ days before the flight

$160: 0 to 7 days before flight

MX$700: 8+ days before the flight

MX$1,000: 0 to 7 days before the flight

$210: 8+ days before the flight

$210: 0 to 7 days before the flight

Flexible Classic

Unlimited changes at no cost

AM Plus

$200

$150: 8+ days before the flight

$160: 0 to 7 days before the flight

MX$700: 8+ days before the flight

MX$1,000: 0 to 7 days before the flight

$210: 8+ days before the flight

$210: 0 to 7 days before the flight

Flexible AM Plus

Unlimited changes at no cost

Premier

$200

$150: 8+ days before the flight

$160: 0 to 7 days before flight

MX$700: 8+ days before the flight

MX$1,000: 0 to 7 days before the flight

$210: 8+ days before the flight

$210: 0 to 7 days before flight

Flexible Premier

Unlimited changes at no cost

Premier Light

MX$700: 8+ days before the flight*

MX$1,000: 0 to 7 days before the flight*

Flexible Premier Light

Unlimited changes at no cost

Premier One

$200

Flexible Premier One

Unlimited changes at no cost

High Season Change Fee:

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Fare Type/Region

USA

Canada

National

Central America and the Caribbean

Basic

Not allowed

Not allowed

Not allowed

Not allowed

Classic

$200

$160: 8+ days before the flight

$170: 0 to 7 days before the flight

MX$800: 8+ days before the flight

MX$1,100: 0 to 7 days before the flight

$210: 8+ days before the flight

$220: 0 to 7 days before the flight

Flexible Classic

Unlimited changes at no cost

AM Plus

$200

$160: 8+ days before the flight

$170: 0 to 7 days before the flight

MX$800: 8+ days before the flight

MX$1,100: 0 to 7 days before the flight

$210: 8+ days before the flight

$220: 0 to 7 days before the flight

Flexible AM Plus

Unlimited changes at no cost

Premier

$200

$160: 8+ days before the flight

$170: 0 to 7 days before the flight

MX$800: 8+ days before the flight

MX$1,100: 0 to 7 days before the flight

$210: 8+ days before the flight

$220: 0 to 7 days before the flight

Flexible Premier

Unlimited changes at no cost

Premier Light

MX$800: 8+ days before the flight

MX$1,100: 0 to 7 days before flight

Flexible Premier Light

Unlimited changes at no cost

Premier One

$200

Flexible Premier One

Unlimited changes at no cost

Name Change Fee:

  • USA/Canada/Central America and the Caribbean:
    • Basic: Not allowed
    • Classic/AM Plus/Premier/Premier One (USA Only): $110
  • National:
    • Basic: Not allowed
    • Classic/AM Plus/Premier/Premier Light: MX$1200

Cancellation Fee:

  • USA/Canada/Central America and the Caribbean:
    • Basic/Classic/AM Plus/Premier/Premier One (USA Only): Nonrefundable
    • Flexible Classic/Flexible AM Plus/Flexible Premier/Flexible Premier One (USA Only): Fully refundable
  • National:
    • Basic/Classic/AM Plus/Premier/Premier Light: Nonrefundable
    • Flexible Classic/Flexible AM Plus/Flexible Premier/Flexible Premier Lights: Fully refundable

Exclusions/Waivers:

  • Changes must be made within 3 hours of the flight’s departure. 
  • For flights from the U.S. to Mexico, the first change is allowed free of cost for modification of flight, date, time, and destination (except Basic fare).

Note: Review additional cancellation/change charts for Asia, Europe, and South America regions here.


Air Canada

Air Canada Dreamliner at London Heathrow LHR
Image Credit: Daniel Ross

Anytime Change:

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Destinations/Fare Type

Basic

Standard

Flex

Comfort

Latitude

Premium Economy

Business Class

U.S.

Not permitted

$100

Fare difference only

Fare difference only

Fare difference only

Flexible: Fare difference only

Lowest: $100

Flexible: Fare difference only

Lowest: $100

International

Not permitted

A fee applies

A fee applies

Fare difference only

Fare difference only

Flexible: Fare difference only

Lowest: A fee applies

Flexible: Fare difference only

Lowest: A fee applies

Same-Day Airport Change:

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Destination/Fare Type

Basic

Standard

Flex

Comfort

Latitude

Premium Economy

Business Class

U.S.

Not permitted

$100

$100

Included

Included

Flexible: Included

Lowest: $100

Included

International

Not permitted

$100

$100

Included

Included

Flexible: Included

Lowest: $100

Included

Cancellation Fee:

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Destination/Fare Type

Basic

Standard

Flex

Comfort

Latitude

Premium Economy

Business Class

U.S.

No refund

No refund

No refund

Refundable

Refundable

Flexible: Refundable

Lowest: No refund

Flexible: Refundable

Lowest: No refund

International

No refund

No refund

A fee applies

Refundable

Refundable

Flexible: Refundable

Lowest: A fee applies

Flexible: Refundable

Lowest: A fee applies

Refer here for changes and cancellation fees for flights within Canada and some destinations.


Air New Zealand

Change Fee:

  • Global Sale Fares: NZ$50 for each one-way journey
  • Global Saver Fares:
    • Economy and Premium Economy: NZ$50 for each one-way journey
    • Business Premier: NZ$100 for each one-way journey per person
  • Global Flexi Fares: No fee

Cancellation Fee: 

  • Global Sale fares: Nonrefundable
  • Global Saver Fares: Refundable (if canceled 1 day or more before departure)
    • Economy: NZ$150 cancellation fee for each one-way journey
    • Premium Economy: NZ$200 cancellation fee for each one-way journey
    • Business Premier: Z$250 cancellation fee for each one-way journey
    • F class (grabaseat) fares are nonrefundable
    Global Flexi Fares: Fully refundable, provided you cancel before departure

Exclusions/Waivers:

  • You can cancel within 24 hours after your purchase and receive a full refund with no fees, provided the reservation is made 1 week or more before the scheduled departure.
  • If you’re not making the change online, a service fee of NZ$60 per change per seat applies for changes made by phone from within New Zealand. Otherwise, the service fee depends on the country you’re calling from.
  • The original cancellation fees apply if you buy a Global Sale or Global Saver fare and later upgrade it to a Global Flexi fare.

Alaska Airlines

  • Change or Cancellation Fee:
    • All fares, excluding Saver tickets: Free; fare difference may apply
    • Saver tickets: Changes are not permitted. For flights booked on or after July 19, 2023, a credit for 50% of the ticket value can be issued for flights canceled at least 14 days before the departure of the first flight on the ticket.
  • Same-Day Change Fee: $50 ($25 for travel within California and on shuttle flights between Anchorage and Fairbanks, Spokane and Seattle, and Portland and Seattle)
  • Exclusions/Waivers:
    • The same-day change fee is waived for passengers booked in first class (J) or coach (Y), MVP Gold Mileage Plan or 75K members, and American AAdvantage ConciergeKey, Executive Platinum, and Platinum Pro members (and companions on the same reservation).
    • Guests traveling on a vacation package booking are not eligible for same-day confirmed changes. If this change is necessary, the passenger must call 800-445-4435.

Allegiant Airlines

  • Change Fee: $25 per person, per segment, plus any applicable airfare increase. Changes must be made at least 7 days before departure.
  • Cancellation Fee: $25 (must be made at least 7 days before departure)
Hot Tip:

If you purchase Allegiant’s TripFlex at the time of your booking, change fees and cancellation fees are waived for amendments made up to 1 hour before departure.


American Airlines

  • Change Fee: Fee varies depending on the fare
    • Main Cabin
      • Flights originating in North or South America: FreeOutside of North or South America: Up to $400
      Premium Economy
      • Flights originating in North or South America: FreeOutside of North or South America: Up to $400
      Business
      • Flights originating in North or South America: FreeOutside of North or South America: Up to $400
      First
      • Flights originating in North or South America: FreeOutside of North or South America: Up to $400
    • Main Cabin
      • Flights originating in North or South America: Free
      • Outside of North or South America: Up to $400
    • Premium Economy
      • Flights originating in North or South America: Free
      • Outside of North or South America: Up to $400
    • Business
      • Flights originating in North or South America: Free
      • Outside of North or South America: Up to $400
    • First
      • Flights originating in North or South America: Free
      • Outside of North or South America: Up to $400
  • Same-Day Change Fee: Starting at $50 (main cabin); free (business/first class)
  • Cancellation Fee: If you cancel a nonrefundable ticket, American will not give you a refund except under certain circumstances, including canceling within 24 hours of purchase, a schedule change of 4 or more hours (or a change of 90 minutes or more within 72 hours of departure), military orders, or the death of the passenger or traveling companion.

All Nippon Airways (ANA)

  • Change/Cancellation Fee: Fees vary based on the fare and may be up to $500. Check your ticket’s terms and conditions.

Asiana Airlines

  • Change Fee: Check your terms and conditions at the time of booking.
  • Cancellation Fee: Check your terms and conditions at the time of booking.
  • Exclusions/Waivers: 
    • There are no standard change and cancellation fees. Fees will depend on the fare type and the journey taken. Refunds for Preferred Seating, Economy Smartium, and Royal Business tickets can be refunded up to 48 hours before the scheduled flight departure.

Avianca Airlines (TACA)

  • Change Fees:
    • Basic, Light, Classic, XS, S and M fares

      • Within Colombia: COP 120,000 ($30) plus fare differenceWithin Ecuador: $30 plus fare differenceInternational flights within South America: $185 plus fare differenceOther international flights in America and flights to Europe: $210/CA$ 210 plus fare differenceFlights from the United Kingdom: £150 plus fare differenceFlights from Europe: €180 plus fare difference
      • Within Colombia: COP 120,000 ($30) plus fare difference
      • Within Ecuador: $30 plus fare difference
      • International flights within South America: $185 plus fare difference
      • Other international flights in America and flights to Europe: $210/CA$ 210 plus fare difference
      • Flights from the United Kingdom: £150 plus fare difference
      • Flights from Europe: €180 plus fare difference
    • L and XXL fares: Free; fare difference may apply
  • Cancellation Fees:
    • Basic, Light, Classic, XS, S, and M fares: Nonrefundable
    • Flex, Business, L, and XXL fares: Refundable

British Airways

British Airways publishes general ranges of change and cancellation fees, but these are intended as a guide only. The British Airways website or staff will inform passengers of specific charges when changing or canceling a ticket.

  • Change Fee: Free (online); $25 (phone); $0 to $35 (at an airport ticket office)
  • Cancellation Fee: Some fares are nonrefundable. Check your fare details. Administrative fees apply: $10 (online); $25 (phone); $35 (at an airport ticket office).
Hot Tip:

If you need to cancel or change a British Airways flight, do it online. Administrative fees for changes online are free, but cancellations are $10. Remember that there may also be other charges depending on your fare type. 


Cathay Pacific

The airline does not disclose change and cancellation fees. Check your ticket information or contact the airline for details.


China Southern Airlines

The airline does not disclose change and cancellation policies. Check your ticket information or contact the airline for details.


Delta Air Lines

Delta Airbus A350 at Sydney SYD
Image Credit: Daniel Ross

Change and Cancellation Fees:

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Origin

Destinations

Change Fee

Cancel Fee

United States (Including the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico) or Canada

United States, Canada, Mexico, Caribbean, Central America

Main Cabin and Above: Free

Basic Economy: Not permitted

Main Cabin and Above: Free

Basic Economy: $99

South America, Europe, United Kingdom, Africa, Middle East, India, Aisa & Pacific

Main Cabin and Above: Free

Basic Economy: Not permitted

Main Cabin and Above: Free

Basic Economy: $199

The Caribbean

United States, Canada

Main Cabin and Above: Free

Basic Economy: Not permitted

Main Cabin and Above: Free

Basic Economy: $99

Mexico, Caribbean, Central America, South America, Europe, United Kingdom, Africa, Middle East, India, Asia & Pacific

Main Cabin and Above: Free

Basic Economy: Not Permitted

Main Cabin and Above: Free

Basic Economy: $199

Mexico

United States, Canada, Mexico, Caribbean, Central America, South America, Asia & Pacific

Main Cabin and Above: $200

Basic Economy: Not Permitted

Main Cabin and Above: $200

Basic Economy: Not Permitted

Europe, United Kingdom, Africa, Middle East, India

Main Cabin and Above: $200

Basic Economy: Not Permitted

Main Cabin and Above: $200

Basic Economy: $199*

Central America

United States, Canada

Main Cabin and Above: $99

Basic Economy: Not Permitted

Main Cabin and Above: $99

Basic Economy: $99

Mexico, Caribbean, Central America, South America, Eurpoe, United Kingdom, Africa, Middle East, India, Asia & Pacific

Main Cabin and Above: $199

Basic Economy: Not Permitted

Main Cabin and Above: $199

Basic Economy: $199

South America

United States, Canada, Mexico, Caribbean, Central America, South America, Europe, United Kingdom, Africa, Middle East, India, Asia & Pacific

Main Cabin and Above: $200

Basic Economy: Not Permitted

Main Cabin and Above: $200

Basic Economy: $199

Europe

United States, Canada, Mexico, Caribbean, Central America, South America, Europe, United Kingdom, Africa, Middle East, India, Asia & Pacific

Delta One: Free

Delta Premium Select: €250*

Delta Comfort+, Main Cabin: €200*

Basic Economy: Not Permitted**

Delta One: Free

Delta Premium Select: €250*

Delta Comfort+, Main Cabin: €200*

Basic Economy: Not Permitted**

United Kingdom

United States, Canada, Mexico, Caribbean, Central America, South America, Europe, United Kingdom, Africa, Middle East, India, Asia & Pacific

Delta One: Free

Delta Premium Select: £250*

Delta Comfort+, Main Cabin: £200*

Basic Economy: £200

Delta One: Free

Delta Premium Select: £250*

Delta Comfort+, Main Cabin: £200*

Basic Economy: £200

Africa, the Middle East and India

United States, Canada, Mexico, Caribbean, Central America, South America, Europe, United Kingdom, Africa, Middle East, India, Asia & Pacific

Delta One: Free

Delta Premium Select: $250*

Delta Comfort+, Main Cabin: $200*

Basic Economy: Not Permitted

Delta One: Free

Delta Premium Select: $250*

Delta Comfort+, Main Cabin: $200*

Basic Economy: Not Permitted

Asia & Pacific

United States, Canada, Mexico, Caribbean, Central America, South America, Europe, United Kingdom, Africa, Middle East, India, Asia & Pacific

Fees waived

Fees waived

* For tickets issued on or after March 21, 2024

** For tickets issued on or after March 21, 2024

Same-Day Change Fee: $75. GoldPlatinum, and Diamond Medallion members are not charged for same-day changes

Exclusions/Waivers:

  • No change or cancellation fee for travel originating from Asia, Oceania (Australia, Bangladesh, China, Indonesia, Japan, Guam, Hong Kong, Mongolia, Nepal, New Zealand, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand), or Israel

easyJet

  • Change Fee: 
    • More than 60 days before the flight:
      • Online: £25 ($33)Customer service team: £30 ($39)
    • Less than 60 days before the flight:
      • Online: £49 ($64)
      • Customer service team: £54 ($71)
  • Cancellation Fee:
    • Within 24 hours of booking:
      • Online: £49 ($65)
      • Customer service team: £55 ($72)
    • After 24 hours of booking: Nonrefundable

El Al

  • Change Fee: May vary based on ticket
    • Passengers will also be charged a $50 admin fee per passenger or $15 per baby for making a change via the Customer Service Center.
  • Cancellation Fee: May vary based on ticket
  • Exclusions/Waivers:
    • Passengers holding a ticket for flights departing from August 1, 2024, through September 7, 2024, issued until August 4, 2024, may cancel their flight in exchange for a full-value voucher for future use on El Al flights.

Emirates

  • Change/Cancellation Fee: Fees depend on fare type and route. Crowdsourced web comments have quoted prices from $50 to over $1,000.

Etihad Airways

  • Change/Cancellation Fee: Fees depend on fare type and route. Crowdsourced web comments have quoted prices anywhere from $75 to over $200.
  • Exclusions/Waivers: 
    • If changing or cancelling a flight using a customer service agent, a nonrefundable fee of $30 will be added on top of the change or cancel fees.
    • Changes or cancellations made within 96 hours of flight departure incur an additional 10% fee.

EVA Air

  • Change/Cancellation Fee: Fees depend on fare type and route. Check your ticket for rules.
  • Exclusions/Waivers:
    • Free changes and refunds are only permitted when a flight is canceled or rescheduled.

Frontier Airlines

  • Change Fee:
    • Basic Fare/Standard:
      • 60+ days before departure: $0
      • 59 to 7 days before departure: $49
      • 6 days or less before departure (including same day): $99
    • Economy, Premium, or Business Bundles: No change fee
  • Cancellation Fee:
    • Basic Fare/Standard:
      • 60+ days before departure: $99
      • 59 to 7 days before departure: $99
      • 6 days or less before departure (including the same day): $99
    • Economy, Premium, or Business Bundles: No cancel fee

Exclusions/Waivers: Change and cancellation fees are waived for elite status members.


Garuda Indonesia

The airline does not disclose change and cancellation policies. Check your ticket information or contact the airline for details.


Hainan Airlines

The airline does not disclose change and cancellation policies. Check your ticket information or contact the airline for details.


Hawaiian Airlines

  • Change Fee: Free (for fares excluding Main Cabin Basic)
  • Restricted Refundable Fare Change Fee (No Refunds Are Permitted):
    • Neighbor Island: $25
    • North America: $100
    • International: $100

Iberia Airlines

Iberia A350 at Bogota
Image Credit: Daniel Ross

Iberia Airlines does not publish change and cancellation fees. Change and cancel fees are fare and route-dependent; passengers can check their tickets or contact the airline for fee details. There’s a service charge of $25 for booking changes/cancellations made at the office/phone for U.S. purchases.


Japan Airlines

Date Change Fee: $100 to $400 or CA$100 to CA$400, based on the fare rules per transaction for travel from North/Central/South America to Japan/Asia. Some fares are nonrefundable; please refer to your fare conditions for details.

Cancellation Fee: $200 to $500 or CA$200 to CA$500, based on the fare rules per transaction for travel from North/Central/South America to Japan/Asia. Some fares are nonrefundable; please refer to your fare conditions for details.

A $50 or CA$50 administrative fee may also apply to changes and cancellations (fees depend on the booking country).


JetBlue Airways

  • Change Fee:
    • Blue Basic: Not allowed (booked or exchanged on or after Mar 18, 2024)
    • Blue, Blue Plus, Blue Extra, and Mint: No fee (fare difference applies)
  • Cancellation Fee:
    • Blue Basic
      • Routes in North America, the Caribbean, and Central America: $100
      • All other routes: $200
    • Blue, Blue Plus, Blue Extra, Mint: No fee
  • Same-Day Switches/Standby Fee:
    • Blue Basic: Not allowed (booked on or after March 18, 2024)
    • Blue, Blue Plus, Mint: $75
  • Exclusions/Waivers:
    • Same-day change fee is waived for Mosaic members (all fares including Blue Basic), and Blue Extra fares
    • Administrative Fee: $25 for changing or canceling with a JetBlue customer support agent. No administrative fee applies online.

Korean Air

Change Fee: Fare-dependent; refer to your fare rules

International Fares:

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Economy

Prestige

First

 

Saver

Standard

Standard

Plus

Flex

 

Fees apply

Fees apply

Y: Free of charge

B, M: Fees apply

Fees apply

Fees apply

Free of charge

Free of charge

Domestic Fares:

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Economy

Prestige

 

Special fares

Discount fares

 Normal fares

Not possible

Possible

Possible

Possible

Cancellation Fee:

  • International Flights:
    • A $30 service charge is applicable on top of the refund penalty
    • Refund Penalty 91+ days: Free
    • Refund Penalty 61 to 90 days: ₩30,000 ($23)
    • Refund Penalty 15 to 60 days: ₩50,000 to ₩300,000 ($38 to $226)
    • Refund Penalty 4 to 14 days: ₩60,000 to ₩360,000 ($45 to $272)
    • Refund Penalty within 3 days: ₩80,000 to ₩450,000 ($60 to $340)
    • Partial Refund/Reissue: ₩50,000 to ₩300,000 ($38 to $226)
  • Domestic Flights:
    • Prestige (C): ₩3,000 ($2)
    • Regular Fare (Y): ₩3,000 ($2)
    • Discount Fare (B, M, S, H, E): ₩5,000 ($4)
    • Special Fare (K, L, U, W, V, Q, T): ₩7,000 ($5)
  • Exclusions/Waivers: 
    • Fees depend on the specific fare type, so check your fare’s terms and conditions.
    • Refunds processed 91 or more days from departure and originating in South Korea are exempt from refund fees.

Norwegian Air

  • Change Fee:
    • LowFare and LowFare+: $75 plus fare difference.
    • Flex: Free
    • Changes made by phone or at the airport cost $30 per person each way. Changes can be made up to 30 minutes before departure.
  • Cancellation Fee:
    • LowFare and LowFare+: Not permitted
    • Flex: Free

Qantas

Change/Cancellation Fee:

Flights From the U.S. to Asia, Australia, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, and Vanuatu:

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Economy

Premium Economy

Business

First

 

Sale

Saver

Flex

Sale

Saver

Flex

Sale

Saver

Flex

Sale

Saver

Flex

Change

$199

Free

Free

$500

Free

Free

$600

Free

Free

$600

Free

Free

Cancellation

Nonrefundable

Nonrefundable

Full refund

Nonrefundable

Nonrefundable

Full refund

Nonrefundable

Nonrefundable

Full refund

Nonrefundable

$2,500

Full refund

Flights from the U.S. to Fiji:

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Economy

Business

 

Sale

Saver

Flex

Sale

Saver

Flex

Change

Not permitted

Free

Free

$600

Free

Free

Cancellation

Nonrefundable

Nonrefundable

Full refund

Nonrefundable

Nonrefundable

Full refund

Flights from the U.S. to French Polynesia:

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Economy

Premium Economy

Business

 

Sale

Saver

Flex

Sale

Saver

Sale

Saver

Flex

Change

Not permitted

Free

Free

Not permitted

Free

Not Permitted

Free

Free

Cancellation

Nonrefundable

Nonrefundable

Full refund

Nonrefundable

Nonrefundable

Nonrefundable

Nonrefundable

Full refund

For other routes, refer to Qantas fare rules.

Passengers changing international flight bookings will be charged a service fee of $40, but this is waived for business and first class passengers.


Qatar Airways

  • Cancellation Fees: Fees depend on the fare type and the cabin class and are displayed online during the booking process.
  • Change Fees: Fees depend on the fare type and the cabin class and are displayed online during the booking process.
  • Exclusions/Waivers:
    • Tickets canceled or amended through the call center, at an airport ticket desk, or a Qatar Airways ticket office are subject to a nonrefundable service fee of $25.

Ryanair

  • Flight Change Fee: 
    • Online: €45/£45
    • Phone or at the Airport: €60/£60
  • Name Change Fee: 
    • Online: €115/£115
    • Phone: €160/£160
  • Cancellation Fee: Nonrefundable
  • Exclusions/Waivers:
    • Fees are waived if made within 24 hours of the booking.

Singapore Airlines

  • Change Fee:
    • A $50 service charge may apply in addition to a change fee per your purchased fare; check your fare’s terms and conditions.
  • Cancellation Fee:
    • Cancellations may only be made on refundable fares; if you cancel a nonrefundable fare, only taxes will be refunded.
    • In some cases, a cancellation fee may apply.

Southwest Airlines

Southwest Airlines 737
Image Credit: Stella Shon
  • Change/Cancellation Fee: Free
  • Same-Day Change Fee: Only permitted on Wanna Get Away+, Anytime, or Business Select tickets
  • Exclusions/Waivers: Nonrefundable fares can be canceled and exchanged for future credit without incurring fees.
Bottom Line:

Southwest Airlines makes changing and canceling flights easier than practically any other airline. When you cancel a flight, you receive a credit to your account.


Spirit Airlines

  • Change/Cancellation Fees: No change or cancel fees, though a fare difference may apply.
  • Exclusions/Waivers:
    • Online changes or cancellations must be made up to an hour before the flight departure.

Thai Airways

  • Change/Cancellation Fees: Fare-dependent. Check your fare details when booking.
  • Exclusions/Waivers
    • After travel commences, no refund will be issued.

Turkish Airlines

International Branded Fares

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 Fee/Fare Type

Economy

Business

EcoFly

ExtraFly

PrimeFly

BusinessFly

BusinessPrime

Change Fee

No change

$70/€60

Free

$70/€60

Free

Cancellation Fee

Nonrefundable

Nonrefundable

$140/€120

Nonrefundable

Free

International Non-Branded Fares

  • Change Fees:
    • Economy Promotion/Semi-Flexible Fare: Route-dependent
    • Economy Flexible Fare: Free
    • Business Promotions Fare: Route-dependent
    • Business Semi-Flexible Fare: Route-dependent
    • Business Flexible Fare: Route-dependent
  • Cancellation Fees:
    • Economy Promotion Fare: Nonrefundable
    • Economy Semi-Flexible Fare: Permitted before the flight, subject to defined deductions. After the flight, the refunded amount is the cost of the flight taken deducted from the total cost.
    • Economy Flexible Fare: Permitted before the flight, subject to defined deductions. After the flight, the refunded amount is the cost of the flight taken deducted from the total cost.
    • Business Promotions: Nonrefundable
    • Business Semi-Flexible/Flexible Fare: Permitted before the flight, subject to defined deductions. After the flight, the refunded amount is the cost of the flight taken deducted from the total cost.

United Airlines

  • Change Fee:
    • Economy, Economy Plus, and Premium Cabins: Free changes for flights within the U.S., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, between the U.S. and Mexico or the Caribbean, and for international flights originating in the U.S.
    • Basic Economy: Route-dependent
  • Same-Day Change Fee: Up to $75 per passenger
    • Waived for Silver, Gold, Platinum, and 1K members
  • Cancellation Fee: If you cancel a nonrefundable ticket, you may return to the reservation up to a year after the issue date. Change fees may apply.
  • Exclusions/Waivers:
    • If your departure or arrival time is altered by more than 30 minutes because of a schedule change, you may change your flight at no extra cost or request a refund. Your new flight must depart from the same airport within 24 hours of the originally scheduled departure.

Virgin Atlantic

  • Change Fee: Fare-dependent, check your fare rules
  • Cancellation Fee: Fare-dependent

WestJet

Change Fee:

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Route/Fare

Econo

Econo Flex

Premium

Business

Flights within Canada

CA$100 to CA$118

No fee

CA$100 to CA$118

CA$100 to CA$118

All other routes (excluding Europe and Asia)

CA$100 – CA$118

No fee

CA$100 to CA$118

CA$100 to CA$118

Flights between Canada and Europe

CA$150 to CA$177/€99/£83

No fee

CA$300 to CA$354/€228/£192

CA$500 to CA$590/€381/£321

Flights between Canada and Asia

(excluding South Korea)

CA$150 to CA$177/¥15,794

No fee

CA$300 to CA$354/¥31,587

CA$500 to CA$590/¥52,645

Flights between Canada and South Korea originating outside of South Korea

CA$150 to CA$177

No fee

CA$300 to CA$354/₩300,000

CA$500 to CA$590/₩500,000

Flights between Canada and South Korea originating in South Korea

₩100,000

₩100,000

₩50,000

₩270,000

Name Change Fee:

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Route/Fare

Econo

Econo Flex

Premium

Business

Flights within Canada

CA$100 to CA$118

CA$100 to CA$118

CA$100 to CA$118

CA$100 to CA$118

All other routes excluding Europe

CA$100 to CA$118

CA$100 to CA$118

CA$100 to CA$118

CA$100 to CA$118

Flights between Canada and Europe

CA$150 to CA$177

CA$150 to CA$177

CA$150 to CA$177

CA$150 to CA$177

Flights between Canada and Asia

CA$150 to CA$177

CA$150 to CA$177

CA$150 to CA$177

CA$150 to CA$177

Same-Day Change Fee:

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Route/Fare

Econo

Econo Flex

Premium

Business

Flights within Canada

CA$150 to CA$177

No fee

CA$100 to CA$118

No fee

All other routes excluding Europe

CA$150 to CA$177/$150 to $177

No fee

CA$100 to CA$118/$100 to $118

No fee

Flights between Canada and Europe

CA$150 to CA$177

No fee

CA$150 to CA$177

No fee

Flight between Canada and Asia

CA$150 to CA$177

No fee

CA$150 to CA$177

No fee

Cancellation Fee:

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Route/Fare

Econo

Econo Flex

Premium

Business

Flights within Canada

CA$100 to CA$118

No fee

CA$100 to CA$118

CA$100 – CA$118

All other routes (excluding Europe and Asia)

CA$100 to CA$118/$100 to $118

No fee

CA$100 to CA$118/$100 to $118

CA$100 – CA$118/$100 – $118

Flights between Canada and Europe

CA$150 to CA$177/€99/£83

No fee

CA$300 to CA$354/€228/£192

CA$600 – CA$708/€396/£336

Flights between Canada and Asia
(excluding South Korea)

CA$150 to CA$177/¥15,794

No fee

CA$300 to CA$354/¥31,587

CA$600 – CA$708/¥63,174

South Korea Cancellation Fee:

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Route/Fare

Days before departure

Econo

(Credit deposited to travel bank)

Econo Flex

Premium

(Refund returned to original form of payment)

Business

(Refund returned to original form of payment)

Flights between Canada and South Korea originating outside of South Korea

Up until 2 hours before departure

CA$150

No fee

Credit deposited to travel bank

CA$300

CA$500

Flights between Canada and South Korea originating in South Korea

0 to 3 days

₩230,000

₩230,000

₩300,000

₩450,000

4 to 14 days

₩180,000

₩180,000

Refund returned to original form of payment

₩240,000

₩360,000

15 to 60 days

₩150,000

₩150,000

Refund returned to original form of payment

₩150,000

₩270,000

61 to 90 days

₩30,000

₩30,000

Refund returned to original form of payment

₩30,000

₩30,000

91+ days

No fee

No fee

Refund returned to original form of payment

No fee

No fee

Exclusions/Waivers:

  • For UltraBasic fares, no changes and cancellations are permitted after 24 hours of booking.
  • Flexible fares (EconoFlex, PremiumFlex, and Business Flex) holders can change their flights for no fee; any fare difference applies (excluding flights originating in South Korea).
  • EconoFlex fare holders can cancel their flights without a fee and receive a refund credit in their Travel Bank account, excluding flights originating in South Korea purchased on or after April 1, 2024.
  • EconoFlex: Flights originating in South Korea, purchased on or after April 1, 2024, are refundable for a fee. Refunds are returned to the original form of payment.
  • PremiumFlex and BusinessFlex fare holders can cancel their flights for free and receive a refund in their original payment method.
  • Change and cancellation fees are charged per direction, per person, except for changes and cancellations on flights to and from Europe, where they are charged per transaction, per person. 
  • Changes or cancellations must be made at least 2 hours before departure.
  • Reserved flights departing within 24 hours will have cancellation fees. 

Change and Cancellation Policy by Online Travel Agency (OTA)

If you’re booking through an online travel agent, know their change and cancellation policies.

Orbitz

If you book a nonrefundable ticket through Orbitz, you have 24 hours to cancel it without a fee. However, you won’t receive a refund of the Orbitz service fee (if you were charged one).

Airline change and cancellation fees will apply once you have passed the 24-hour cancellation window. Additionally, you will be responsible for a $30 fee paid to Orbitz.

As you will see above, many airlines waive change and cancellation fees that would also apply to your flights booked through Orbitz.

You must contact the airline to change or cancel a booking with a low-cost carrier.

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Low-Cost Carriers

AirAsia

Frontier

Spirit

easyJet

Interjet

VivaAerobus

Eurowings

Jetstar

Volaris

Firefly

Norwegian

 

Priceline

You have 24 hours to cancel bookings without a fee, but Express Deals are not changeable or refundable.

Beyond 24 hours, all applicable airline change and cancellation fees apply, plus Priceline charges a service fee, which depends on the flight booked.

Bottom Line:

When booking with online travel agents such as Expedia, Orbitz, and Priceline, remember that if you need to change, the airline charges a service fee in addition to the change or cancellation fee.

Final Thoughts

You can see how vastly different these carrier change and cancellation policies can be. Some are easy, like Southwest Airlines, while others (such as Spirit Airlines) are much stricter.

Hopefully, once you have booked a nonrefundable ticket, you won’t need to make any changes. Your life will be much easier that way!

If you need to make a change, you now have all the information you need to prepare.


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Airline Cancellation & Change Fees (Cash Tickets)

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I make a refund request for my refundable ticket?

Call the customer service number of your airline to process your refund or log in to your booking in your online account, where you may be able to request a refund.

How much time do I have to put in a cancellation request on my airline ticket before I have to pay a fee?

U.S. law requires 24 hours from the time of purchase of an airline ticket to do a full refund without paying any fees, as long as you are booking more than 7 days out.

What is an airline change fee?

An airline change fee is a penalty charge for changing the date or destination of a flight. Some ticket types, such as flexible fares, waive change fees. When you change your ticket, almost all passengers are required to pay the fare difference.

How can I change my flight without paying a fee?

Some airlines allow free changes to be made within 24 hours of booking, while others waive changes for elite frequent flyers. Alternatively, you could purchase a fare type that allows free changes.

Can I cancel a flight and get a refund?

Flexible and premium cabin fares often allow free cancellations, but other fare types are usually nonrefundable or charge a penalty.

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About Spencer Howard

Always a fan of flying, it was only natural that Spencer was drawn to finding a way to improve the travel experience.

Like many, he started this journey searching for cheap flights to take him around the world. This was fun for a while, but Spencer was intrigued by the idea of flying in business and first class!

Throwing himself into what became an extensive research project, Spencer spent 3-4 hours per night learning everything he could about frequent flyer miles over the course of several months (he thinks this is normal). He runs Straight to the Points, an award-seat alert platform.

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