24 Hour Cancellation Policies for Major U.S. Airlines

There may be times when you need to make changes to or even cancel your travel reservation when you book a flight with any airline, big or small. It is useful when you have the famous 24-hour cancellation policy followed by nearly all major U.S. Airlines. Within 24 hours of making a reservation for a flight, US airlines must allow customers the option to hold, amend, or cancel a ticket without being charged. This requirement comes from the Department of Transportation (DOT). They require that the airline offer a full refund in the original form of payment if a passenger cancels their reservation at least seven days prior to the flight's planned departure time.

What is covered by the 24-hour cancellation policy?

Airlines must allow customers to hold reservations at the quoted fare for 24 hours without making a payment or to cancel them within 24 hours of making a purchase without incurring any fees and receiving a full refund to the original method of payment, in accordance with a customer service requirement established by the Department of Transportation. All airlines operating flights to, from, and within the United States shall abide by the 24-hour regulation. The timer begins after the ticket is purchased and lasts for 24 hours.

The regulation is especially useful for tourists who require an extra day to finish their plans or who wish to benefit from a last-minute airline bargain. The best course of action is to immediately take advantage of the offer to lock in the low price and give yourself 24 hours to decide if you want to keep the tickets or ask for a complete refund.

The 24-hour cancellation policy applies to all fares, including those that have restrictions like basic economy tickets or other commonly non-refundable reservations. However, there are some uncommon circumstances where the return policies do not apply.

24-Hour Cancellation Policies

American Airlines

The American Airlines 24-hour hold option actually expires at 11:59 PM CT the following day. In light of this, if you buy a ticket early in the day, the hold will last for much longer than 24 hours. These holds are available for departures at least seven days later. On the other hand, American allows free cancellation for both revenue and award tickets within 24 hours of purchase for flights leaving in less than two days. You can call the American Airlines Reservation Number and then get help regarding the cancellations.

United Airlines

The United Airlines Helpline Number, which is available for support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, allows free modifications and cancellations up to 24 hours after the purchase. The paid hold option offered by United is called FareLock. Depending on the ticket, these holds might cost different amounts and continue for three or seven days. Furthermore, Basic Economy rates are not subject to cancellations or modifications within 24 hours, but they are still eligible for full refunds if altered. As long as the purchase was made at least a week before departure, this is acceptable.

Delta Air Lines

Delta will provide a full refund if a ticket is canceled by midnight on the day after it is purchased or by midnight on the day before the first flight, whichever occurs first. This stipulation also applies to award tickets. The free modifications to award tickets that are fewer than 72 hours from departure are not permitted by Delta, nevertheless. If you need more information then please contact the Delta Air Lines Customer Support Number.

Alaska Airlines

When done at least 60 days before departure, Alaska Airlines Cancellation policy is fairly forgiving, allowing free changes and cancellations. Additionally, Alaska offers free modifications on commercial tickets for flights that are wholly within the state of Alaska.

Southwest Airlines

The airline permits cancellations without penalties up to 24 hours after booking if the reservation is made by calling the Southwest Airlines Customer Service Number at least a week before travel. In this type of cancellation, the entire fare is repaid to the original mode of payment. Similar to Southwest, only a JetBlue credit refund is available for cancellations made within 24 hours of the initial booking. The cash will be forfeited in the event of a "no-show" without a cancellation prior to departure.

JetBlue

JetBlue permits free cancellations up to 24 hours after booking if the reservation is made at least a week before the trip. In this type of cancellation, the entire fare is repaid to the original mode of payment. Similar to Southwest, only a JetBlue credit refund is available for cancellations made within 24 hours of the initial booking. A "no-show" will result in the forfeiture of the deposit unless a cancellation is notified prior to departure.

The exceptions

It's critical to keep in mind that the DOT rule may not be applicable in some circumstances. The refund policy only applies to reservations made at least seven days before departure. You won't have a grace time to cancel and get a full refund if your reservation was made less than seven days before the flight's departure date because the 24-hour restriction does not apply to those reservations.

Additionally, airlines have the option of allowing customers to hold their tickets without making a payment for 24 hours or offering refunds for reservations that are canceled within 24 hours of purchase. (American Airlines, for example, gives customers the option to keep their tickets rather than get refunds.) They are not required to perform both. If you hold your fare for one day without making a payment and then decide to purchase that ticket, you won't be eligible for a refund under DOT regulations.

The 24-hour cancellation policy only applies to tickets purchased directly from an airline. If you purchase your ticket through an online travel agency like Orbitz or Expedia, the third party's refund policy will take precedence over the DOT regulation and apply to your reservation.

What action should be taken if an airline doesn't follow the 24-hour rule?

The DOT mandates that airlines make customers aware of the one-day refund grace period both online and whenever a passenger contacts them. Customers who phone customer care with inquiries about canceling must be informed of the 24-hour reservation requirements; also, this information must be provided on the airline's website's pages devoted to refund policies (such as on any terms and conditions pages or booking pop-up windows).

Any airline (including foreign airlines) operating flights to or from the United States that disregards these regulations is viewed by the DOT as acting in an "unfair and misleading" manner. If customers think the airline is breaking the law, they can file a complaint with the Department online.