What is an airline cancellation policy?
An airline cancellation policy is a series of rules and guidelines established by an airline that outlines its approach to changes or cancellations of flights. There is no universal standard, and each airline will vary in its approach to cancellations. It is important to have a good understanding of the policy in order to avoid incurring additional fees and costs.
Is an airline cancellation policy important?
An airline cancellation policy is very important. For corporate travelers, a change to a busy schedule can result in missed flights and the business does not want to incur large fees. In fact, many travelers with busy schedules prefer one airline over the other if the airline cancellation policy is favorable.
How do airline cancellation policies differ?
Each airline will have a unique approach to cancellations so they will differ in a variety of ways:
Fees
The size of the fee will vary from one airline to the other: some airlines will not charge a fee, while others might charge as much as $400 for changes to international flights. This fee can also change depending on when the change or cancellation is made.
Timeframes
Some airlines may offer free changes or cancellations up until a certain amount of time before departure, while others may charge immediately for any changes. This is why it is important to carefully read the terms and conditions.
Conditions
If a passenger can offer the appropriate documentation demonstrating an extraordinary circumstance (illness, natural disaster, etc.), then some airlines may waive the fee.
Where to find an airline’s cancellation policy
Airline cancellation policies are often hosted on the website of the airline. Travelers will be asked to read through and accept the terms and conditions before booking a flight, so it’s important to pay attention. Failing that, a copy of the policy can be requested before booking.
Related Questions
Do airline cancellation policies differ much?
Airline cancellation policies can vary a lot. There is no central authority governing them, so travelers should be sure to properly understand the policy properly.