24 Hour Cancellation Policy for Flights
What is a 24-Hour Cancellation Policy?
A 24-hour cancellation policy for flights allows you to cancel your flight within 24 hours of booking and get a full refund, even if your flight ticket is non-refundable. This policy is normally available with the majority of global airlines, including those that fly to and from the United States.
Many airlines state that your flight needs to be booked at least 7 days before the scheduled departure time to qualify for the 24-hour cancellation policy. Each airline will have its own specific policy on 24-hour cancellation refunds so it's essential that you check this beforehand.
Usually, if you cancel within the 24-hour booking window, the airline will process a full refund to the original form of payment.
Which Airlines Have a 24-Hour Cancellation Policy?
Most airlines have a 24-hour refund or cancellation policy, however, the specific conditions of the policy will vary by airline. For example:
- American Airlines has a 24-hour hold option instead of a refund policy. This means you can hold your flights at the quoted price without paying anything for 24 hours.
- Delta has a 24-hour risk-free cancellation policy that lets you cancel your booking within 24 hours for a full refund, no matter how close to departure the booking was made.
- United Airlines allows you to cancel your booking within the first 24 hours for a full refund, as long as your booking was made at least 7 days in advance.
- British Airways has a 24-hour cooling-off period letting you cancel your booking within 24 hours for a full refund.
- Virgin Atlantic also has a 24-hour cancellation policy for flights booked at least 7 days before departure.
Did you know? In the United States, the Department of Transportation (DOT) mandates that flights to and from the US must allow you to cancel a booking within 24 hours of booking for a full refund, or allow you to hold a booking at the quoted fare for 24 hours without making any payments.
How to Cancel with the 24-Hour Cancellation Policy
If you booked your flights through Alternative Airlines, you can get a full refund if the airline you're flying with has a 24-hour cancellation policy.
- For cancellations, please visit the Manage My Booking portal. If you wish to cancel your reservation you may be liable to cancellation fees enforced by the airline.
- Please be aware that a 24-hour cancellation policy may only be applicable if you book directly with the airline. Please ensure you read the airline's terms and conditions. Alternative Airlines have no choice but to follow the airline's policies and have no influence over what the airline says.
- If your flight does fall under a policy that allows for a full refund within 24 hours, the 24 hours begins from when you confirm your booking.
- Alternative Airlines is open from 9am - 9pm UK time. If your 24-hour cancellation period expires whilst we are closed and you contact us during this time, then you will not be entitled to a refund. You must contact us within our opening hours and allow us time to process the refund.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cancel a flight within 24 hours and get a refund?
Yes, in most cases, you can cancel a flight within 24 hours of booking and get a full refund. This is applicable to flights departing from and arriving in the United States, as well as international carriers. However, you must book your flight at least 7 days before departure.
How do I request a refund from a 24-hour cancellation policy?
If you booked your flights through Alternative Airlines and wish to receive a full refund through a 24-hour cancellation policy, you can start the cancellation process in Manage My Booking or contact us directly.
If your flight is eligible for the 24-hour refund policy that allows for a full refund within 24 hours, the 24 hours starts from when you confirm your booking. Alternative Airlines is open from 9am - 9pm UK time, and if your 24-hour cancellation period expires whilst we are closed, and you contact us during this time, then you will not be entitled to a refund. You must contact us within our opening hours and allow us time to process the refund to qualify for a refund.
Do all airlines have a 24-hour cancellation policy?
No - not all airlines have a 24-hour cancellation policy. If you're flying to or from the United States, the airline has to give you the option to cancel a booking within 24 hours of booking and get a refund, as long as the booking was made at least 7 days before departure.
However, for flights outside of the US, the 24-hour cancellation policy may not be available. For example, British Airways will allow you to receive a full refund if you cancel within 24 hours of booking as long as your booking was made directly with the airline and not with a third party.
Take a look at our detailed guides on cancellation policies for various major US airlines: