Can You Cancel Flights After Booking?

Where from?

Where to?

Dates

Passengers & Class

1 Adult, Economy/Coach

Can You Cancel Flights After Booking?

Booking vacation plans can be a scary thing. It is one of the largest investments you'll likely make in the year and something always seems to crop up to get in the way. When the unexpected happens and your plans go awry, dread sets in and you realise you won't be able to make your flight. In that moment, one question crosses your mind: Can you cancel flights after booking them? In this article we'll go over the whats whens and hows of cancelling a flight, to give you some peace of mind.

Cancelling a Flight

Cancelling a flight can be a complicated process with some airlines. In some cases you might be able to cancel them yourself through their respective booking portals. With others you may be required to submit a support ticket to their customer service line or follow a multi step cancellation process. The best way to learn more about this process before you book a ticket is to check your airlines Contract of Carriage. The Contract of Carriage is the dossier of terms and conditions which the airline abides by, where you can find all sorts of info about their policies, including cancellation.

Unfortunately, unless you have some kind of protection, or a refundable ticket (which cost a significant amount more) you aren't guaranteed any form of refund.

Can you get a refund on your cancelled ticket?

This question is asked by many travellers who have a shake up in their plans, and the answer is that each airline will have their own policy on this. The best way to find out whether a refund is possible is to check your airlines Contract of Carriage which will outline all of their terms and conditions.

Most airlines are beholden to certain aviation standards, such as the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) in the USA or the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) in the UK. These organisations typically enforce regulations surrounding refunds for cancelled flights, such as guaranteeing a refund if you cancel your flight within 24 hours of booking.

If you want to ensure a refund on your ticket before you book, then you might want to consider adding some protection to your ticket.

How Can You Guarantee A Refund?

If you really do want to secure a refund, as your travel plans are turbulent and subject to change, then there are some additional protections you can add to your ticket in order to get a refund.

Firstly, if you think that your plans are likely to be cancelled due to personal emergency, such as the passing of a loved one, court summons or failure of public/private transport then Cancellation Protection is right for you. Cancellation Protection from Alternative Airlines guarantees you a refund for your flight if you have to cancel your tickets due to personal emergency.

If you think your plans will change, but not for reasons that qualify for Cancellation Protection then our new coverage: Cancel for Any Reason, might be the solution for you.

Add Cancel For Any Reason during booking process

What Is Cancel For Any Reason Coverage?

Cancel For Any Reason is the all new protection package offered by Alternative Airlines, which allows you to cancel your flights and get a refund, no questions asked. Passengers who cancel their flights with Cancel For Any Reason coverage get 70% of their baskets total value back guaranteed! This makes it the perfect choice for any passenger who wants some security in the event they need to cancel. All too often things crop up in life that get in the way of travel plans. Having this extra layer of protection can give you peace of mind as you go about booking your vacation.

To add Cancel For Any Reason Coverage to your flights, book through Alternative Airlines and select the option at checkout.

Trusted globally

Rated Excellent on Trustpilot

We’re super proud of our Trustpilot rating, but don’t just take it from us. See why millions of others love booking their flights through Alternative Airlines

Cancel For Any Reason & Travel Insurance FAQs

Are airlines required to provide refunds?

Not necessarily. Airlines are beholden to certain rules set in place by global aviation authorities that can enforce certain standards. One such standard is that airlines must provide a refund to passengers that cancel their flights within 24 hours of booking. Beyond that guideline however standards will vary by region and by airline. Interested in booking with Alternative Airlines? Check out our terms and conditions.

Can you rearrange flights rather than cancel them?

If you would prefer to alter the date of your flight rather than cancel it entirely, you will first want to check that you are within the window your airline allows you to do so in. You can find this in their Contract of Carriage. Most airlines will allow you to change the details of your flight through their online portal, or arrange alterations with their customer service team. If you want more details on the process of rebooking your flight, check out our article on how to rebook a flight.

What disqualifies you from getting a refund?

Each airline will have strict rules as to what can disqualify a passenger from getting a refund. Of course there are the obvious things such as missing the cancellation window or no showing for your flight which will typically disqualify you. However there are also more niche things which can get you disqualified, such as being marked as a passenger who participates in skiplagging. (The practice of not showing up for the second leg of a multi-destination flight.) The easiest way to find out what disqualifies your refund is to read your airlines Contract of Carriage, as this will outline their policy on the matter.