How to Cancel Flight Tickets?
If you have booked the wrong ticket or no longer wish to travel on your booked flight due to some last-minute changes, you can cancel the air ticket any time before boarding the plane. However, every airline has a different set of guidelines that one must follow to cancel his/her flight ticket.
Read on to know the different ways through which flight ticket cancellation is possible.
What Is the Process to Cancel Flight Tickets?
Here are steps that you can follow to cancel your flight tickets:
Step 1: Log in to your booking platform’s account or visit the airline’s official website.
Step 2: Select the trip that you wish to cancel. You can enter your PNR number to find your booking.
Step 3: Click on the ‘Cancel’ button.
Step 4: Select the passengers you want to cancel the booking for.
Step 5: Once you are redirected to a new page, check whether the names of the passengers selected are reflected properly as well as the refund amount, if any. Your refund status will be visible on the next screen.
Step 6: Click on ‘Confirm’, and you have successfully cancelled your air ticket.
The refund, if any, will be processed after 24 hours of cancellation. However, it might take longer as it depends on your bank, mode of payment or the airline. Please note that the steps mentioned above might change from one booking platform/website to another.
What Are the Different Ways to Cancel Flight Tickets?
Flight ticket cancellation has become much easier and quicker these days. You can instantly cancel both domestic and international flight tickets. There are not only online methods but offline ones too. Discussed below are some ways you can cancel your flight tickets:
1. Via Plane PNR number
A Passenger Name Record or PNR is an electronic detail allowing passengers to do online check-in for their flights and manage their bookings. Flight ticket cancellation is possible using the PNR number. Here is how to cancel a flight ticket using the PNR number:
Step 1: Log in to the official website of the airline.
Step 2: Enter the PNR details. Your booked flight will be reflected on the screen.
Step 3: Choose ‘Cancel’ booking. Select the passengers whom you wish to cancel the booking for. The refund amount, if any, will be reflected on the screen.
Step 4: After you click on ‘Confirm’, your flight cancellation is complete.
2. Via Contact Customer Care
This is another way through which you can cancel your ticket. Every booking platform has its individual customer support that can be contacted for air ticket cancellation.
3. Via Booking App
For flight cancellation using the booking app, here are the steps that you can follow:
Step 1: Open the application which you have used to book your tickets.
Step 2: Go to your bookings and select the trip that you wish to cancel.
Step 3: Choose the ‘Cancel’ booking option.
Step 4: Tap on ‘Proceed with cancellation’.
Step 5: Check all the details and refund amount, if any.
Step 6: Click on yes, and your ticket will be successfully cancelled.
After cancellation of the ticket, you have to wait for your refund for a few days. The steps mentioned above might be a little different for other booking apps.
4. Via Airport Airline Counter
You can also visit the airport airline counter and cancel your flight ticket. Once you reach the airport, find the counter of the concerned airline whose tickets you have. Provide the details of your ticket at the counter and request them to cancel your ticket. The ticket will be cancelled, and the refund amount, if any, will be sent to your linked bank account.
Airlines allow flight ticket cancellation till a particular time before the flight departs, but this policy differs from airline to airline. Check the available information on your respective tickets to know about the different ways you can cancel your ticket and how much refund you can avail.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the rules for the cancellation of a flight ticket?
You must cancel your booking at least 24 hours before your flight is about to depart in order to be eligible for a refund. A refund will be made after subtracting the applicable cancellation charges.
However, the cancellation policy is also subject to change without any prior notice from the airlines. Please note that the cancellation window is also different for different airlines.
Can you claim a refund for cancelled flights?
Most airlines offer a full or partial refund of the ticket amount if the tickets are cancelled within a stipulated time. You can check the flight cancellation section of the airline’s website for complete details like alternative airlines and compensations.
How do I avoid flight cancellation fees?
Some of the best ways to avoid flight cancellation fees are:
- Check for a travel waiver
- Change dates instead of cancelling
- Look for any change in flight schedule
- Contact the airline with a good reason
- Check for credit card coverage
- Book more expensive fares that are 100% refundable upon cancellation