How can I cancel my flight without penalty? If it's within 24 hours of booking, and you're more than seven days out from your departure on a flight to or from the US booked directly with the airline, you can cancel your flight with no penalty through the airline with which you booked.

In the United States, the Department of Transportation (DOT) mandates a "24-hour reservation requirement," which allows you to cancel or change a flight booking within 24 hours of purchase without any penalty, provided the ticket was booked at least seven days before the flight's departure. This rule applies to all tickets purchased directly from an airline (not necessarily through third-party travel agents) for flights to, from, or within the U.S. In early 2026, the Indian Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) expanded on this by introducing a 48-hour "lock-in" period, allowing passengers to cancel or amend tickets for free if the booking was made at least 7 days (domestic) or 15 days (international) in advance. Many European and global carriers have adopted similar "grace periods" as standard customer service, though the exact timing and "lead time" requirements can vary. It is important to remember that this 24-hour rule usually guarantees a full refund to your original form of payment, not just a travel credit, making it a vital safety net for travelers who realize they’ve made a mistake shortly after clicking "buy."