How to Cancel or Change a Flight Without Losing Money
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How to Cancel or Change a Flight Without Losing Money
How much cancelling or changing a flight costs you depends almost entirely on the fare rules you agreed to at booking — checking them now, before you need to change anything, is the best way to avoid a costly surprise later.
1. Check your fare's change and cancellation rules
Look this up now, not after you need to change something — rules vary hugely between fare tiers on the same airline.
2. Use the 24-hour risk-free window if it applies
Many airlines let you cancel free within 24 hours of booking, provided the flight is at least a week or so away — check your airline's specific policy.
3. Ask for a voucher or credit if a refund isn't offered
Even when a cash refund isn't available, many airlines will offer a travel credit — worth asking for directly rather than assuming it's not possible.
4. Check if the airline changed your schedule
A schedule change made by the airline (not by you) often entitles you to a free rebooking or a refund, even on a fare that's normally non-refundable.
5. Use the airline's official channel directly
Booking or changing through a third-party reseller can add its own restrictions on top of the airline's — going direct is usually simpler when changing a booking.
Quick tips
- Screenshot your fare rules at the time of booking in case they're needed later.
- A same-day change fee is often cheaper than cancelling and rebooking from scratch.
- Check if travel insurance you already hold covers your specific reason for cancelling.
- Airlines sometimes waive change fees during major disruptions — check current policy before assuming the standard rule applies.
- A voucher may have its own expiry date and route restrictions — read the terms before accepting one over a refund.
- If you booked through a third party, check whether changes must go through them or can be done directly with the airline.