24 hour Support

The Department of Transportation has a rule that allows travelers to cancel their flight and receive a full refund within 24 hours of booking. However, there are some important stipulations to consider. Below is everything you need to know about the 24-hour rule and what to do if you need to cancel after this time frame.

The 24-Hour Flight Cancellation Policy

According to the Department of Transportation (DoT), airlines are required to either allow passengers to cancel their reservation within 24 hours of booking and receive a full refund without penalty, or permit passengers to place a ticket on hold at the quoted price for 24 hours, for tickets purchased at least seven days before the scheduled departure.

It is important to note that airlines are not obligated to offer both options. Therefore, if a 24-hour hold option is available at checkout, it may mean that you will not be able to cancel the flight for free after booking.

Additionally, if you cancel your reservation within this 24-hour window, you must receive a refund (not an e-credit). The refund must be processed within seven business days for credit card transactions, or within 20 business days for payments made by cash or check.

Exceptions to the Policy

Airlines are required to comply with the 24-hour booking policy. However, they are not obligated to make changes to your reservation free of charge within this window. If you wish to change your flight date, time, or correct a misspelled name, you may still incur a fee. In such cases, it might be more cost-effective to cancel your flight within the 24-hour window for a full refund and then rebook with the correct details. Be aware that there could be a fare difference even within such a short time frame.

An important exception to the 24-hour rule is that it does not apply to tickets booked through third-party vendors. This means that flights booked via a travel portal, credit card travel site, or a travel agent do not automatically qualify for the 24-hour risk-free cancellation. While many online travel agencies or travel portals may still offer this option to attract customers, it is not a requirement, so it’s essential to read the terms and conditions before booking.

If you book your flight less than seven days before departure, the DoT’s 24-hour rule does not apply. However, individual airlines may have their own policies. For example, American Airlines allows a full refund within 24 hours of booking as long as the ticket is purchased at least two days before the flight—five days beyond the DoT’s requirement. United Airlines follows the DoT's policy of requiring a booking at least seven days in advance, while Delta Airlines states that cancellation requests must be made by midnight the day after the ticket is purchased or by midnight of the departure date of the first flight, whichever comes first.

What to Know About Cancelling Your Flight After 24 Hours

Outside the 24-hour window, your options depend on the airline and fare class. You can get a refund if the airline cancels your flight, changes the schedule, or if you purchased a refundable ticket. Non-refundable tickets generally don't allow for cancellations unless specific conditions apply.

Many airlines now offer eCredits for cancellations, especially for higher fare classes, but you won’t get a full refund after 24 hours unless you bought a refundable ticket.