Cancel · by phone · 24/7, every day
Cancel a Flight and Get a Refund or Credit
Cancel a flight on any airline by phone. Agents explain whether you get a refund or a credit, use the 24-hour rule, and handle airline-cancelled flights.
Whether you get money back depends on when you cancel and what fare you bought. Inside 24 hours of booking, US law gives you a full refund on almost any ticket. After that, refundable fares return to your card, and non-refundable fares usually become an airline credit valid for about a year.
If the airline cancelled or significantly changed your flight, you are owed a refund even on a non-refundable ticket, and an agent can make sure you get one rather than a credit.
The difference between a refund and a credit is worth understanding before you cancel: a refund returns money to your card, while a credit keeps the value for a future trip in the same traveler's name, usually expiring a year from purchase. An agent tells you which one your fare produces, whether you are owed cash under DOT rules, and requests the refund on your behalf when you are.
Calls are answered by licensed travel agents at our partner agency, 24/7. WarBird Flight is independent and not affiliated with any airline.
Who this is for
- Travelers who need to cancel and want to know what they get back
- Anyone within 24 hours of booking who wants a full refund
- Passengers whose flight was cancelled by the airline
Have ready when you call
- Confirmation code or ticket number
- Name on the booking
- Original form of payment details if requesting a refund
How it works
- 1
Call with your confirmation code.
- 2
The agent checks the fare rules and tells you whether the ticket refunds to your card or converts to a credit, and how much.
- 3
Approve the cancellation; refunds go to the original card, credits are emailed with their expiry date.
Airline rules that apply
- The US DOT 24-hour rule applies to tickets booked at least seven days before departure.
- Non-refundable fares must be cancelled before departure to keep any value; no-shows lose the ticket.
- Airline-initiated cancellations and significant schedule changes entitle you to a cash refund.
By airline: Delta Air Lines · American Airlines · Southwest Airlines · Alaska Airlines · Hawaiian Airlines · Air Canada · Lufthansa · British Airways
Ready when you are
Call and a licensed agent handles it on the spot. Updated confirmations are emailed as soon as the change is made.
Fees
Airline cancellation fees, where they apply, are charged by the airline. Our partner agency may charge a service fee for processing a cancellation or refund request, disclosed before you approve it. See all fees.
Frequently asked questions
Will I get a refund if I cancel my flight?
Within 24 hours of booking, yes, in full. After that, only refundable fares are refunded; non-refundable fares become a credit. If the airline cancelled your flight, you are entitled to a refund regardless.
How long does an airline refund take?
Card refunds are required within seven business days of the request under US rules, though banks may take a further billing cycle to post them.
Can I cancel a basic economy ticket?
Within 24 hours of booking, yes, for a refund. After that, basic economy fares generally have no value when cancelled.
How long is an airline credit valid?
Typically one year from the original ticket purchase date. Some carriers have extended validity; the agent will tell you the exact date.
My flight was cancelled by the airline. What now?
Call us. You can take a free rebooking or a full refund to your original payment method. Do not accept a credit if you would rather have the cash.
Guides that help with this
Booking tipsRefundable vs Nonrefundable Tickets: What the Difference Really CostsWhen the refundable premium is worth paying, when a nonrefundable ticket is the smarter buy, and how the 24-hour rule and flight credits change the math.
Airline policiesThe 24-Hour Flight Cancellation Rule, ExplainedHow the US Department of Transportation's 24-hour rule works, which tickets it covers, and how to use it.
Airline policiesWhen Airlines Owe You a Cash Refund, Not a CreditThe DOT automatic refund rule: which cancellations and schedule changes qualify, how fast the money must come back, and how to ask for it.
Airline policiesYour Flight Was Cancelled: Rights, Refunds, and RebookingWhat airlines owe you when they cancel, how to choose between rebooking and a refund, and how to get moving fastest.
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Written and maintained by the WarBird Flight editors. WarBird Flight is an independent booking service and is not affiliated with any airline.