If you wish to cancel your flight award ticket, the award miles will be credited back to your mileage account once the cancellation has been completed. Miles cannot be refunded with reduced flight awards. It is possible to rebook flight award tickets within the validity period for the ticket.

When you cancel a rewards flight in 2026, the process and costs depend heavily on the specific loyalty program and the "fare type" of the award. Generally, you can expect the points or miles to be redeposited into your account. Most major airlines (like Delta, United, and American) have eliminated "redeposit fees" for standard award tickets, making them much more flexible than cash bookings. However, you must usually cancel before a certain deadline (often 24 to 48 hours before departure) to avoid a "no-show" penalty where the points are forfeited. While the points are returned, the taxes and fees you paid in cash are typically refunded to your original payment method, though some airlines may issue these as a travel credit instead. For "Partner Award" bookings (e.g., using United miles to fly Lufthansa), the cancellation process can be more complex and may still involve a small administrative fee. Always check if your specific award was a "promotional" or "non-refundable" mileage deal, as these can have stricter penalties.