For non-refundable tickets, you can cancel the booking at the last minute but don't get a refund; rather, you might get travel credit/e-vouchers depending on the flight you are flying. For last-minute flight cancellation, you always need to pay a hefty amount as a cancellation fee.

Yes, you can cancel a plane ticket "last minute," but your ability to get a refund or credit depends entirely on your fare class and the timing of the cancellation. In 2026, almost all major airlines allow you to cancel up until the "check-in" window closes (usually 60 minutes before departure), though you may lose the entire value of the ticket if it was a "Basic Economy" or "Non-Refundable" fare. If you booked a Refundable/Flexible ticket, you can often cancel right up to boarding and receive a full refund to your original payment method. For standard tickets, you will typically receive a Future Flight Credit minus a possible change/cancellation fee. A critical "pro-tip" for 2026 is the US Department of Transportation's 24-hour rule, which allows you to cancel any flight for a full refund within 24 hours of booking, provided the flight is at least seven days away. If you miss your flight entirely without cancelling (a "No-Show"), the airline will almost certainly cancel your entire remaining itinerary, including any return flights, and you will likely forfeit the total cost of the ticket.