Airline cancellation and change fees (2026)

Your rights when the airline cancels

Under the DOT's October 2024 final rule, airlines must automatically issue a cash refund — to your original payment method — in each of the following situations. You do not have to request it, and the airline cannot legally substitute a voucher unless you affirmatively choose one.

• Cancellation (any reason): full cash refund if you decline to rebook — this includes weather cancellations
• Domestic delay 3+ hours and you choose not to travel: full cash refund
• International delay 6+ hours and you choose not to travel: full cash refund
• Significant schedule change: airport changed, or an extra connection added — qualifies for a refund if you choose not to accept the new itinerary
• Bag fee charged, bag lost: the checked-bag fee is refunded regardless

Tip: if the airline offers you a voucher first, you can decline it and still request the cash refund. Airlines cannot legally present only a credit when a cash refund is owed.

When you cancel — fare class matters

When the cancellation is your choice (not the airline's), the refund you receive depends on the fare type you purchased — not on how far in advance you cancel.

• Nonrefundable fares: you receive a travel credit (not cash), minus any cancellation fee dictated by the fare rules
• Refundable tickets: full cash refund, no fee — worth the premium when plans are uncertain
• Basic economy: generally cannot be changed or refunded at all — the sole exception is the 24-hour cancellation window (see section below)

Change fees by airline (2026)

Most major US carriers dropped change fees permanently in 2020–2021 following pandemic pressure. Budget airlines are the exception. Even when the change fee is $0, you still owe the fare difference if the new flight is more expensive.

Fare differences still apply even when the change fee is $0. Always compare the new flight cost against your original purchase before confirming a change.

The 24-hour cancellation rule

Under federal law, every US airline must allow free cancellation within 24 hours of the original booking, as long as the departure is 7 or more days away. This applies to every fare class — including basic economy — on every US airline. The refund goes back to your original payment method as cash, not a travel credit.

• Applies to all fare classes, including basic economy
• Must cancel within 24 hours of the original booking transaction
• Flight must depart 7 or more days from the booking date — if your flight is sooner, this rule does not apply
• Refund goes to your original payment method as cash, not a travel credit

Travel credits — what to watch for

When you cancel a nonrefundable ticket — or accept a credit instead of a cash refund — airlines issue travel credits. Know the rules before you assume the credit is safe to use later.

• Credits typically expire 1 year from the issue date — set a calendar reminder well before that date
• Credits are usually non-transferable; you must fly under the same passenger name the credit was issued to
• Under the DOT 2024 rules, airlines must notify you before a credit expires — but do not rely on the reminder; track it yourself
• Delta and United have in past disruptions extended credit validity — ask an agent if your credit lapsed during a major disruption period
• Southwest restructured its fare policies in 2024; verify the current travel fund expiry policy at the time of booking

Frequently asked questions

Related guides

• What to do if your flight is delayed — cash refund rights, controllable delay amenities, and how to rebook fast
• Travel insurance for flights — when a policy is worth buying and what trip-cancellation coverage actually pays

Data verified June 30, 2026. Sources: DOT Automatic Refund Final Rule (Oct 2024); DOT Fly Rights; Delta change & cancel policy; United cancellation policy; American Airlines change fees; DOT Airline Cancellation & Delay Dashboard.