Is it OK to cancel a flight?

Yes. You can cancel flights tickets. However, if you haven't purchased a fully-refundable ticket, you may not be entitled to a refund. In some instances, the airline may apply a cancellation fee.



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Canceling a nonrefundable fare will result in an eCredit for the full amount paid (minus any cancellation fees, depending on fare type and route). However, if you cancel a refundable ticket, you'll get the amount paid refunded back to your original form of payment.

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A simple way to change or cancel a flight without paying a fee is to do so within 24 hours of booking. After this window, the next option is to wait to see if the airline makes a change to the flight — the departure time, the aircraft, etc. — which will automatically grant you a refund if you change or cancel.

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The 24 Hour Cancellation Rule Many airlines offer a 24-hour cooling-off period as a customer service policy, allowing you to cancel your flight, incurring no fees if you change your mind or otherwise need to cancel within 24 hours of booking. This policy typically applies to both refundable and non-refundable tickets.

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The 24-hour rule is a regulation from the US Department of Transportation that says airlines must offer either free 24-hour price hold (so you can lock in the price and purchase within 24 hours) or free cancellation for 24 hours.

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If you're hopeful the airline may end up canceling or changing the flight, wait until the last minute to cancel. If you cancel the ticket, you may be charged a fee. If the airline cancels the flight, you're entitled to a full cash refund.

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If every passenger was able to cancel for a full refund at any time, airlines would have to raise their prices across the board to account for this increased risk. This is also why nonrefundable fares are often the cheapest tickets offered by an airline.

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The key to canceling plans at the last minute (which Porter defines as less than a couple of hours before the event) is ensuring the other person receives your cancellation before the event.

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Airlines are required by the U.S. Department of Transportation to refund your money if you cancel a flight within 24 hours of booking unless they offer a free 24-hour hold option when shopping for tickets.

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Some ideas of what to say:
  1. “I'm sorry to be canceling at the last minute when you didn't have the chance to change reservations/the RSVP/etc. I can't make it out tonight, but I do want to see you. ...
  2. “I know I committed to this earlier but unfortunately I'm going to be able to make it. I'm sorry for canceling last minute.”


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The unexpected death, illness, or injury of you and/or a traveling companion that deems you unfit to travel, by order of a licensed physician. The hospitalization or death of a non-traveling family member. Weather or common carrier related issues (varies by policy) Unforeseen natural disasters at home or the ...

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Some ideas of what to say: “I know I committed to this earlier but unfortunately I'm going to be able to make it. I'm sorry for canceling last minute.”

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Every major U.S. airline (except Southwest Airlines) typically charges penalty fees to change or cancel an economy fare flight. The fees, however, can vary from as low as $75 on a domestic flight to more than $400 on an international flight.

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American Airlines cancellation policy
All tickets: may be canceled for a full refund within 24 hours of purchase when booked at least two days before departure. Refundable tickets: may be canceled for a full refund by requesting a refund online or by contacting reservations.

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