You can cancel most flights, but what you get back depends on the airline, the ticket type, and when you cancel

Airlines allow cancellations on nearly every ticket. The real question is whether you get money back or a credit. Most airlines refund your money only if they cancel the flight or if you bought a refundable ticket—which costs more upfront. If you cancel a non-refundable ticket, you typically lose the fare but keep a credit toward a future flight with that airline, valid for one year from your original booking date.

The rules differ between airlines and between ticket types sold by the same airline. A basic economy ticket on one carrier might be non-refundable, while a main cabin ticket on the same airline might let you change your flight free and cancel for a credit. Always check your confirmation email or the airline's website before you cancel, because once you do, the terms lock in.

Key Takeaways

  • Non-refundable tickets return no money if you cancel, but you receive a credit good for one year with that airline.
  • Refundable tickets return your full fare to your original payment method, usually within 7 to 10 business days.
  • If the airline cancels your flight, you are may have access to to a refund or a rebooking on another flight at no extra cost, regardless of ticket type.
  • Cancellation requests made through the airline's website or app are faster than phone calls and show you the refund or credit amount before you confirm.
  • Airline credits expire one year from your original booking date, so mark your calendar if you plan to use one.

How to find out what your ticket allows

Your confirmation email contains the ticket rules. Look for a section labeled "Fare Rules," "Ticket Terms," or "Cancellation Policy." If you booked through the airline directly, log into your account on their website, find your reservation, and select "View Details" or "Manage Booking." The page will show whether your ticket is refundable or non-refundable.

If you booked through a third-party site like Kayak, Expedia, or Google Flights, the confirmation came from that site, not the airline. Log back into that site, find your booking, and look for the same terms. The third-party site shows what the airline allows, but you must cancel through the airline's website or by calling the airline directly—canceling through the booking site does not always process correctly.

Canceling a non-refundable ticket

Go to the airline's website, find "Manage My Booking" or "My Reservations," and enter your confirmation number and last name. Select your flight and choose "Cancel Flight." The system will show you the credit amount (usually the full fare minus a cancellation fee, though many airlines waived fees during the pandemic and some have not brought them back). Confirm the cancellation, and the airline will email you a confirmation with your new credit number.

That credit is yours to use on any flight with that airline within one year. You can book a new flight when ready using the credit, or you can wait and book later. The credit does not expire if you book a flight before the year is up—it expires one year from your original booking date, not from when you use it. If you do not use the credit by that date, you lose it; the airline will not refund it to your card.

Canceling a refundable ticket

Refundable tickets work the same way: go to "Manage My Booking," select your flight, and choose "Cancel." The system will confirm that you are may have access to to a refund and show the amount. Complete the cancellation, and the airline will process the refund to your original payment method.

Refunds take 7 to 10 business days to appear, though some airlines promise faster processing. If you paid by credit card, the refund goes back to that card. If you paid by debit card, the refund goes back to that account. If you paid through a third-party site, the refund goes to that site first, and the site then refunds you—this can add a few extra days. Check your bank or card statement to confirm the refund arrived; if it does not show up after 10 business days, contact the airline with your confirmation number.

What to do if the airline cancels your flight

If the airline cancels your flight, you have two rights: a refund to your original payment method, or a rebooking on another flight at no extra cost. You do not have to choose when ready. The airline will email you a notice of cancellation with instructions on how to request a refund or rebook.

If you want to rebook, go to the airline's website, find your reservation, and look for "Rebook" or "Change Flight." The system will show available flights on the same route or nearby dates. You can also call the airline to rebook, though wait times are often long when many flights are canceled. If you want a refund instead, select "Request Refund" in the same menu. The airline will process it within 7 to 10 business days.

Canceling through the airline's phone line

You can cancel by phone, but expect to wait. Call the airline's customer service number (found on your confirmation email or the airline's website). Have your confirmation number and last name ready. The agent will confirm your ticket type, tell you what you are may have access to to, and process the cancellation.

Phone cancellations take longer than online cancellations and may incur a fee on some airlines if you are canceling a non-refundable ticket (though this is rare now). If you are in a time crunch, cancel online first—you can always call later if something goes wrong. If you have a complex situation, like a multi-leg trip or a ticket purchased with miles, a phone call may be clearer.

Canceling a ticket bought with frequent flyer miles

Miles tickets follow the same rules as paid tickets: non-refundable miles tickets return the miles to your account as a credit, and refundable miles tickets return the miles. Go to "Manage My Booking" on the airline's website and select "Cancel." The system will show that miles will be returned to your frequent flyer account. The miles usually post within 24 hours.

Some airlines charge a cancellation fee in miles (typically 5,000 to 10,000 miles) even when you cancel a refundable ticket. Check the terms before you confirm the cancellation. If you booked the ticket with a mix of miles and cash, the airline will return both the miles and the cash portion separately.

What happens if you miss your flight without canceling

If you do not show up for your flight and do not cancel in advance, the airline treats it as a no-show. Your ticket is forfeited—you lose the fare and receive no credit or refund, even on a refundable ticket. The only exception is if the airline canceled the flight or if you had a documented emergency (medical, death in the family) that prevented you from traveling. In those cases, contact the airline with proof and ask for a one-time exception.

If you realize you will miss your flight, cancel it when ready through the website or by calling. Even if you cancel minutes before departure, you preserve your right to a credit or refund. It is always better to cancel than to no-show.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cancel a flight the day before or the day of departure?

Yes. You can cancel right up until the flight departs. If you cancel a non-refundable ticket, you get a credit. If you cancel a refundable ticket, you get a refund. The only difference is timing: canceling the day before gives the airline more notice, but it does not change what you are may have access to to.

Do I lose my money if I cancel a non-refundable ticket?

You lose the cash, but you receive a credit equal to the full fare (minus any cancellation fee, which is rare now). You can use that credit to book any flight on that airline within one year. The credit does not expire if you book a flight before the year is up.

How long does a refund take?

Refunds to a credit card or debit card usually take 7 to 10 business days. If you booked through a third-party site, add a few extra days because the site must process the refund from the airline first. Check your bank statement to confirm it arrived; if it does not show after 10 business days, contact the airline with your confirmation number.

What if I booked through a travel site like Expedia?

You must cancel through the airline's website or by calling the airline directly, not through the booking site. Log into the airline's website with your confirmation number, cancel there, and the refund or credit goes to your original payment method. If you cancel through Expedia or another third-party site, the request may not process correctly with the airline.

Can I get a refund if I just do not want to travel?

Only if you bought a refundable ticket. Non-refundable tickets give you a credit, not a refund. If the airline cancels the flight, you get a refund or rebooking regardless of ticket type. If you straightforward change your mind, the ticket type determines what you get back.