airborne travel cancellation policy

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Travel Insurance

What is trip cancellation travel insurance?

Lizzie Nealon

Kara McGinley

“Verified by an expert” means that this article has been thoroughly reviewed and evaluated for accuracy.

Updated 9:17 a.m. UTC Nov. 13, 2023

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• Trip cancellation insurance covers your prepaid, nonrefundable trip expenses if you’re unable to travel due to certain unforeseen circumstances, such as an illness or the death of a family member.
• Trip cancellation insurance generally won’t cover foreseeable or preventable events, such as a hurricane that was named before you bought coverage. 
• Basic trip cancellation insurance typically costs between 5% and 10% of the total cost of your trip.

The average household spent more than $2,000 a year on travel before the pandemic. As traveling rebounds and you’re ready to plan your next trip, a trip cancellation policy can give you peace of mind. But it’s important to understand what trip cancellation insurance does and does not cover.  

What is trip cancellation insurance?

Trip cancellation insurance is a type of travel insurance designed to reimburse you for prepaid, nonrefundable travel expenses when you cancel your trip because of a reason listed in your policy. 

Trip cancellation insurance is often part of a comprehensive travel insurance plan, but it can also be purchased separately. 

You can typically purchase trip cancellation insurance up to the day before your scheduled departure. It’s best, however, to buy a travel insurance plan as soon as you make your first trip deposit. You won’t be charged extra for buying a plan earlier, and you will be covered for a longer period of time.

What trip cancellation insurance covers

Trip cancellation insurance can reimburse you for 100% of your nonrefundable and prepaid trip costs if you cancel for a covered reason, which may include: 

• Death of your travel companion, business partner or family member (policies differ on who is considered a family member).
• Injury or illness of you or a travel companion (documented by a doctor).
• Complications from pregnancy for you or your travel companion.
• Traffic accident en route to departure.
• Mechanical breakdown or other failure of your transportation.
• Mandated shutdown of an airport or air traffic control system.
• Air traffic control or airport shutdown due to fire or power outage.
• Mandatory evacuation due to an unforeseen natural disaster.
• Severe, sudden weather.
• Your home or your trip lodging is uninhabitable due to a natural disaster, vandalism or burglary.
• Hurricane warning or hurricane watch (you must have purchased the policy before the storm was named).
• Terrorist attack.

What trip cancellation insurance does not cover

While trip cancellation policies differ, most plans will not cover incidents that could be foreseen or planned around. For instance, most trip cancellation policies will not cover cancellations resulting from:

• Alcohol or substance use.
• Committing a felony.
• Dental treatment or elective procedures.
• Harm resulting from dangerous activities such as skydiving or bungee jumping.
• Mental or nervous health disorders.
• Normal pregnancy and childbirth.
• Participation in amateur or professional sporting events.
• Self-harm. 

What is “cancel for any reason” coverage?  

If you want to be able to cancel your trip for any reason, not only those specified in your policy, consider buying “cancel for any reason” (CFAR) coverage. This premium upgrade will add about 50% to the cost of your trip cancellation insurance but will give you greater flexibility with your plans.  

CFAR coverage typically reimburses up to 75% of your nonrefundable trip costs when you cancel a trip. But you have to cancel at least 48 hours before your scheduled departure if you hope to file a successful CFAR claim. 

How much does trip cancellation insurance cost?

A basic travel insurance policy with trip cancellation coverage typically costs between 5% and 10% of the total cost of your trip. That means if you take a $5,000 safari trip to Tanzania, your travel insurance might cost between $250 and $500. 

How much you pay for trip cancellation insurance will depend on the travel insurance company, the plan and level of coverage you choose, the number of travelers in your party and their ages, your trip length and trip expenses. 

How to get trip cancellation insurance

Comprehensive travel insurance policies usually include trip cancellation benefits, but you can also buy a standalone trip cancellation policy. 

To shop for trip cancellation insurance, follow these steps. 

• Check if your credit card has travel insurance. If your credit card provides trip cancellation benefits when you pay for trip expenses with that card, you may opt to skip buying a separate trip insurance policy.
• Compare quotes. Choose a travel insurance company by comparing travel insurance plans and quotes online . 
• Buy the plan you want. You can buy travel insurance online. Be prepared to enter your travel dates and destination, the total value of your trip and information about your travel companions.
• Review your plan . After buying travel insurance, you typically have a free look period of 14 or 15 days. If you read the details of your plan and decide it’s not a good fit, you can cancel and request a refund during that period. 

Credit card rewards and trip cancellation insurance

The following cards provide complimentary travel insurance with trip cancellation benefits when you pay for your travel using the card :

• Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card * The information for the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. .
• Chase Freedom Flex℠ * The information for the Chase Freedom Flex℠ has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. .
• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card .
• Chase Sapphire Reserve® .
• Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card .¹
• Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card * The information for the Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. .
• The Business Platinum Card® from American Express * The information for the The Business Platinum Card® from American Express has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. .¹
• The Platinum Card® from American Express .¹
• United℠ Explorer Card * The information for the United℠ Explorer Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. .
• United Club℠ Infinite Card * The information for the United Club℠ Infinite Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

All information about The Business Platinum Card® from American Express has been collected independently by Blueprint.

Check to see if your credit card offers travel insurance with trip purchases and what coverage it provides. Travel insurance provided by credit cards isn’t usually as comprehensive as a separate policy.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Trip cancellation insurance reimburses you for prepaid, nonrefundable expenses if you need to cancel a trip for a covered reason. Valid reasons for trip cancellation typically include unforeseen events such as a death in the family, sudden weather that leaves your destination uninhabitable or an illness that is documented by a doctor.

Most travel insurance plans bundle together several types of coverage, including trip cancellation insurance. If you have trip cancellation insurance, you can file a claim for any prepaid and nonrefundable expenses associated with a trip when you decide to cancel for a reason listed in your policy. 

When it comes to travel insurance, you’re not limited to cancellation coverage. The best comprehensive travel insurance plans also include coverage for incidents related to epidemics, emergency medical needs, baggage loss and damage, travel delays and trip interruption.

¹Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.

*The information for the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, Chase Freedom Flex℠, Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card, The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, United Club℠ Infinite Card and United℠ Explorer Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Blueprint is an independent publisher and comparison service, not an investment advisor. The information provided is for educational purposes only and we encourage you to seek personalized advice from qualified professionals regarding specific financial decisions. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

Blueprint has an advertiser disclosure policy . The opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Blueprint editorial staff alone. Blueprint adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. The information is accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information.

Lizzie's commentary has been published in Bankrate, CNBC, the Washington Post, the Washington Examiner, MSN and more.

Kara McGinley is deputy editor of insurance at USA TODAY Blueprint and a licensed home insurance expert. Previously, she was a senior editor at Policygenius, where she specialized in homeowners and renters insurance. Her work and insights have been featured in MSN, Lifehacker, Kiplinger, PropertyCasualty360 and more.

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Travel Insurance for Flight Cancellations: 2024 Guide

See how much it would cost to protect your trip in the case of a canceled flight by clicking below.

in under 2 minutes

Nicole Leigh West is an experienced lifestyle journalist and writer for publications including Wanderlust, TripSavvy and Vacations & Travel. Along with roaming the globe and penning fiction novels, Nicole works for World Words as a sub-editor and writer.

Taking off on a flight to your vacation destination is an exciting moment. But unforeseen circumstances can cause long delays and flight cancellations — and adventures cut short. That’s where travel insurance comes in. Travel insurance offers the assurance that you’ll get reimbursed for non-refundable travel costs from a travel insurance provider. Frequent or business travelers also benefit from this safety net for flight cancellations.

Flight insurance is usually sold as part of a comprehensive travel plan that includes trip interruption and trip cancellation coverage along with emergency medical insurance. Because most airlines aren’t required to compensate you for flight delays, trip delay travel protection helps you recoup losses for tours and accommodation.

We at the MarketWatch Guides Team outline below the benefits of comprehensive travel insurance to avoid travel expenses related to flight cancellations.

Why Trust MarketWatch Guides

Our editorial team follows a comprehensive methodology for rating and reviewing travel insurance companies. Advertisers have no effect on our rankings.

Companies Reviewed

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Understanding Travel Insurance Coverage for Real Scenarios

When you buy travel insurance, comprehensive plans typically reimburse you the costs of canceled and delayed flights through travel delay coverage and trip cancellation insurance. Depending on the plan you choose, you can get reimbursed full refunds or prepaid costs once you qualify during the claims process. Reimbursements may include the money you paid for extra accommodations and food.

Whether you buy flight insurance with your airfare from major airlines or through another travel supplier, flight cancellation protection is subject to limited circumstances. These may include:

• Bad weather or natural disasters that cause the airline to cancel flights
• Medical emergencies causing you to cancel flights
• The unexpected death or illness of a family member or travel companion
• Delays caused by missed flight connections

For more flexibility, consider CFAR — cancel for any reason coverage. It’s still subject to exclusions and conditions, such as the requirement to cancel within 48 hours of the departure date. But the reasons for canceling are at your discretion. About 75% of prepaid non-refundable trip expenses get reimbursed.

Will Travel Insurance Cover Airline Cancellation?

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation , if an airline cancels your flight or makes changes that cause significant delays, you’re entitled to a refund if you choose not to reschedule. But the definition of a “significant delay” gets decided on a case-by-case basis, and refunds aren’t guaranteed.

Travel insurance covers the specific emergency reasons outlined in your policy. Under trip delay, interruption or cancellation policies, other expenses are covered. For example, if inclement weather results in a canceled flight with a delay to reschedule, you may need to cancel a non-refundable excursion through a tour operator. Insurance benefits help recoup these financial losses.

Does Travel Insurance Cover Delayed Flights?

If your flight is delayed significantly, an airline may offer to refund your money under certain conditions. Travel insurance features trip cancellation and trip delay benefits to reimburse you for applicable expenses incurred. Costs might include transportation, food and accommodations while you wait for a rescheduled flight if the airline doesn’t come through with hotel and food vouchers.

As a general rule, trip delay benefits apply after a specifically defined length of time. For example, you might need to be delayed for at least five hours to qualify for reimbursement or extra transportation. Daily spending limits typically apply for additional expenses incurred.

Will Travel Insurance Cover Costs if I Need to Switch Flights?

Travel insurance for flight changes is also available. But most policies don’t cover you if you simply change your mind about a flight. Trip interruption and cancellation policies cover a range of unforeseen circumstances. For example, a trip cancellation claim may reimburse the difference in cost between a canceled flight and a more expensive alternative to get you to a destination on time.

Does Travel Insurance Cover If Connecting Flights Get Canceled?

If your connecting flights get canceled, the airline may offer you a refund or put you on another flight (likely the latter). Travel insurance reimburses you for non-refundable trip costs relating to trip interruptions or cancellations. If you miss a connecting flight for reasons listed in your policy, part of your prepaid trip expenses get reimbursed along with any extra expenses you incurred to get pushed forward on your trip or to get home.

Choosing the Right Travel Insurance Plan

The quality of travel insurance plans varies. That makes it important to compare as you shop. When selecting a plan for flight cancellations, choose one with competitive coverage for the following:

• Trip cancellation coverage : This policy can reimburse you for non-refundable, prepaid trip costs for trips canceled for reasons that are covered by your policy, such as the death of a family member or a medical emergency. Reimbursements include airline tickets, hotel rooms and tours. Coverage limits can range from $10,000 for basic plans up to $300,000 for premium plans.
• Trip delay coverage : If your flight gets delayed for reasons that are covered in your policy, such as severe weather or airline maintenance, your plan provides financial relief for expenses, such as alternative transportation, food and accommodations. Basic plans may have a $300 coverage limit and a daily spending limit of $150.
• Trip interruption coverage : You may need to cut your trip short because of an injury or an unexpected event. Trip interruption coverage may reimburse you for non-refundable expenses including prepaid airline tickets and accommodation. Coverage limits can range from $5,000 for basic plans to $300,000 for premium plans.

While it’s possible to buy basic travel insurance with trip cancellation policies only, most are comprehensive. They include emergency medical and baggage loss coverage. Upgrades for CFAR, pre-existing medical conditions and rental car coverage provide further protection.

Use the tool below to find and compare rates for plans with flight insurance to suit your travel requirements.

Making a Claim for Flight Cancellations

To file a claim, most travel insurance companies offer systems via websites, apps and customer support teams available by phone and email. For flight cancellations , claims are usually filed under trip cancellation, interruption or delay coverage. With each claim, you’re required to present supporting documentation highlighting reasons for cancellation. This may include:

• Proof of an emergency or incident, such as a doctor’s certificate or a police report
• Copies of itineraries for all trip components claimed, including flight bookings
• Receipts for expenses incurred because of flight delays, such as meals and accommodations

Insurance companies process claims to approve them for reimbursement. Once complete, most companies send a payment to your selected account (credit card, bank, etc.).

Common Challenges Travelers Face

You can get confused reading travel insurance policies as you figure out what’s covered and what’s not. A common challenge travelers encounter is misunderstanding a policy’s terms and conditions. As a general rule, travel insurance covers losses from unforeseen circumstances.

With flights and trip cancellations, covered reasons include emergencies, such as unexpected natural disasters, the death of a family member or a serious illness or injury. Otherwise, any flight cancellation refunds fall to the discretion of the airline.

Tips To Minimize Flight Cancellations Risks

Unless you experience an unexpected emergency, it’s possible to minimize the risks of flight cancellations and enjoy smooth journeys. Reduce the likelihood of it happening to you with the tips below.

• Book flights that depart early in the morning. Statistically, they’re the least delayed and least canceled.
• Choose nonstop flights to eliminate the risk of missed or delayed connections.
• Pick airlines with multiple flights to your destination per day for easy rescheduling if necessary.
• Ensure your airline offers a suitable cancellation policy.
• Travel a day or two in advance of events or celebrations that you don’t want to miss
• Monitor the weather at home and at your intended destination to be forewarned of potential cancellations.
• Implement backup transport plans if possible, including driving routes, ferry and train timetables.

The Bottom Line

Travel is much more than a trip, it’s an investment. With so many things that can go wrong, it’s important to protect travel investments with comprehensive insurance for flight cancellations. Along with reimbursement for flights in emergencies, you’ll enjoy peace of mind knowing additional costs, such as hotel rooms and meals, are covered if your trip is delayed.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What happens if my flight is canceled.

Your airline will put you on another flight or, in some cases, offer you a refund. Travel insurance protects with reimbursement for flights canceled via predetermined reasons covered by policies, along with additional expenses.

Do I need flight insurance?

We recommend flight insurance as a safety net for unexpected circumstances. These may include the death of a family member or a serious injury that results in canceling flights.

What does flight insurance normally cover?

As part of comprehensive travel insurance plans, flight insurance covers the cost of non-refundable, canceled flights subject to limited reasons. Most providers also offer coverage for flight delays and tours missed due to cancellations.

Does travel insurance cover hotel expenses if my flight is canceled?

Yes. Trip interruption and cancellation coverage provide reimbursement for hotel expenses, meals and alternative transport required due to canceled flights.

Methodology: Our System for Ranking the Best Travel Insurance Companies for Flight Cancellations

Our team created a comprehensive rating system to objectively compare and contrast each travel insurance company. We contacted each company over the phone and online, requested quotes, compared coverage options and costs, reviewed terms and conditions, and analyzed customer service both through our experience and by reading customer reviews.

Each company is scored in the following categories: number of plans, customization, coverage details, cancel for any reason coverage (CFAR) percentage, timeframe of delay coverage, coverage amount, customer service and support, and reputation.

June 1, 2020

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Due to travel restrictions, plans are only available with effective start dates on or after

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Trip Cancellation & Travel Insurance

Is trip cancellation insurance worth it? The answer is almost always yes, especially if your resort, hotel, or  airline has a strict cancellation policy. Trip cancellation benefits are also a must-have if you’re going on a cruise, as most cruise lines won’t refund any money if you must cancel your trip at the last minute.

Allianz Travel Insurance plans can reimburse you for lost trip expenses if you must cancel your trip for one of the covered reasons named in your plan. The Cancel Anytime upgrade , available with certain plans, reimburses 80% of your prepaid, non-refundable trip costs if you cancel your trip for almost any unforeseeable reason your plan does not already cover.

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Terms, conditions, and exclusions apply. Please see your plan for full details. Benefits/Coverage may vary by state, and sublimits may apply.

Insurance benefits underwritten by BCS Insurance Company (OH, Administrative Office: 2 Mid America Plaza, Suite 200, Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181), rated “A” (Excellent) by A.M. Best Co., under BCS Form No. 52.201 series or 52.401 series, or Jefferson Insurance Company (NY, Administrative Office: 9950 Mayland Drive, Richmond, VA 23233), rated “A+” (Superior) by A.M. Best Co., under Jefferson Form No. 101-C series or 101-P series, depending on your state of residence and plan chosen. A+ (Superior) and A (Excellent) are the 2nd and 3rd highest, respectively, of A.M. Best's 13 Financial Strength Ratings. Plans only available to U.S. residents and may not be available in all jurisdictions. Allianz Global Assistance and Allianz Travel Insurance are marks of AGA Service Company dba Allianz Global Assistance or its affiliates. Allianz Travel Insurance products are distributed by Allianz Global Assistance, the licensed producer and administrator of these plans and an affiliate of Jefferson Insurance Company. The insured shall not receive any special benefit or advantage due to the affiliation between AGA Service Company and Jefferson Insurance Company. Plans include insurance benefits and assistance services. Any Non-Insurance Assistance services purchased are provided through AGA Service Company. Except as expressly provided under your plan, you are responsible for charges you incur from third parties. Contact AGA Service Company at  800-284-8300 or 9950 Mayland Drive, Richmond, VA 23233 or [email protected] .

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A Consumer Guide to Air Travel

Schedules and tickets.

• Delayed and Canceled Flights

Overbooking

Passengers with disabilities.

• Frequent-Flyer Programs

Contract Terms

Travel scams, to your health, airline safety and security, complaining.

Notice: We make every effort to keep Fly-Rights up to date, but airlines frequently change the way they do business. So by the time you read this, a few procedures we explain may be different.

Introduction

The elimination of government regulation of airline fares and routes has resulted in lower fares and a wide variety of price/service options. In this new commercial environment, consumers have had to take a more active role in choosing their air service by learning to ask a number of questions:

• Am I more concerned with price or with schedule? Am I willing to fly at a less convenient time if it means saving $25?
• Will the airline penalize me for changing my reservation/
• Will I have to pay extra for checked bags or for seat assignments?
• What will the airline do for me if it cancels my flight?
• This booklet is designed to explain your rights and responsibilities as an air traveler and to show you how to avoid problems. We hope it helps you become a more resourceful consumer.

Because of the emphasis on price competition, consumers may choose from a wide variety of air fares. It is easy to compare fares and schedules on the Web, using airline web sites or third-party reservation services.  You can also contact a travel agent, another ticket outlet, or the airlines serving the places you want to travel to. (Some airlines and other outlets charge a fee for tickets purchased by means other than the Web.  On the other hand, a few airlines may charge a fee for tickets that are purchased via the Web.) You can also be alert to newspaper and radio ads, where airlines advertise many of the discounts available in your city. Finally, be alert to new companies serving the market. They may offer lower fares or different services than older established airlines. Here are some tips to help you decide among air fares:

• Be flexible in your travel plans in order to get the lowest fare. The best deals may be limited to travel on certain days of the week (particularly midweek or Saturday) or certain hours of the day (e.g., early-morning flights or overnight "red eyes"). When searching flights and fares on the Web you can usually specify whether your dates are flexible, and in the search results the fares are generally listed from lowest to highest. If you are shopping by phone or in person, after you get a fare quote ask the reservations agent if you could save even more by leaving a day earlier or later, or by taking a different flight on the same day.
• Plan as far ahead as you can. Some airlines set aside only a few seats on each flight at the lower rates. The real bargains often sell out very quickly. On the other hand, air carriers sometimes make more discount seats available later. If you had decided against a trip because the price you wanted was not available when you first inquired, try again, especially just before the advance-purchase deadline. Flights for holiday periods may sell out months ahead of time, although in many cases you can find a seat if you elect to travel on the holiday itself, e.g. Christmas Day or Thanksgiving Day.
• Some airlines may have discounts that others don't offer. In a large metropolitan area, the fare could depend on which airport you use. Also, a connection (change of planes) or a one-stop flight is sometimes cheaper than a nonstop.
• Be aware that many airlines charge extra for checked baggage, advance seat assignments, meals, or other services.  Airlines include information on these fees on their web sites.
• If you have a connection involving two airlines, ask whether your bags will be transferred. Ask whether your ticket will be good on another carrier at no extra charge if your flight is canceled or experiences a lengthy delay, and whether the first airline will pay for meals or a hotel room during the wait.
• Most discount fares are non-refundable; if you buy one of these fares and you later cancel your trip, you will not get your money back. In many cases you can apply your ticket to another trip in the future, but there may be a steep fee.  Many fares also have a penalty for changing flights or dates even if you don't want a refund. You may also have to pay any difference in air fares if your fare-type is not available on the new flight.
• After you buy your ticket, call the airline or travel agent once or twice before departure to check the fare. Fares change all the time, and if the fare you paid goes down before you fly, some airlines will refund the difference (or give you a transportation credit for that amount). But you have to ask. 
• Differences in air fares can be substantial. Careful comparison shopping among airlines does take time, but it can lead to real savings.

Once you decide when and where you want to go, and which airline you want to use, you will usually have to purchase a ticket in order to hold a confirmed seat. However, many large airlines will hold a reservation for 24 hours or so without payment. Others require payment at the time you make a reservation but will provide a full refund if you cancel in the first day or so.  When available, both of these procedures permit you to hold a seat and a fare for a short time while continuing to shop for a better deal. Be aware of the following considerations when selecting a flight and buying a ticket:

• Check the on-time performance percentage for flights that you are considering. On-time performance percentages for individual flights of the larger U.S. airlines are available by phone from those airlines upon request. These airlines are also required to post this information on their web sites, with special notice for flights that experienced serious delays or cancellations. If you are deciding between two flights with similar schedules and fares, you may want to choose the one with the better on-time record. (Only the largest U.S. airlines are required to maintain and provide on-time performance data.) You can see aggregate information about airline and airport on-time performance and a list of the most frequently delayed flights in DOT’s monthly  Air Travel Consumer Report . Also, the web site of DOT’s Bureau of Transportation Statistics ( www.bts.gov ) contains detailed on-time performance data for the large U.S. airlines that are required to report this information.
• When you buy a ticket, be sure all of the information is recorded accurately. Before you click "Submit" or make a final commitment to a reservations agent, review all of the essential information ? the spelling of your name, the flight numbers and travel dates, and the cities you are traveling between. Use the form of your name that is on the photo ID that you will show at the airport. (For an international flight, this will be your passport.) If there is more than one airport at either city, be sure you check which one you'll be using. It's also important to give the airline more than one telephone number and an email address so they can let you know if there is any change in its schedule.
• A "direct" (or "through") flight with a single flight number can have one or more intermediate stops. A connection (change of planes) nearly always has a separate flight number for each flight, but sometimes the two flights are listed on the same line in schedules.  Look carefully at the "Stops" column and the departure and arrival times to determine whether the flight suits your needs.
• If you are flying to a small city and your flight number has four digits, you may be booked on a commuter airline that has an agreement with the major carrier in whose name the flight is advertised and sold. Look for disclosures of these so-called "code-share" flights in the schedules, or ask the reservations agent.  DOT requires that you be provided this information.
• As soon as you receive your ticket or email confirmation, check to make sure all the information on it is correct, especially your name, the airports (if any of the cities have more than one) and the flight dates. Pursue any necessary corrections immediately.
• You will need to show a government-issued photo I.D. when you fly.  It is important that your name as it appears on the ticket is the same as it appears on the I.D. you will be using.  If your name has recently changed and the name on your ticket and your I.D. are different (or will be different by the time of your trip), bring documentation of the change (e.g., a marriage certificate or court order).
• Many European countries ("the Schengen states") require that your passport be valid for at least three months beyond your planned date of departure from the Schengen area.  For more information see the Department of State's Schengen web page at  http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/go/schengen-fact-sheet.html .
• Re-check the departure and arrival times of your flights a few days before your trip; schedules sometimes change. On international trips, some airlines may require that you reconfirm your onward or return reservations at least 72 hours before each flight. If you don't, your reservations may be canceled.
• Bring your ticket or printed confirmation to the airport. You may also be able to print your boarding pass from the carrier’s web site within 24 hours of departure. This speeds your check-in and helps you avoid some of the tension you might otherwise feel if you had to wait in a slow-moving line at the airport.
• Payment by credit card provides certain protections under federal credit laws. When a refund is due, the airline must forward a credit to your card company within seven business days after receiving a complete refund application; however, the credit may take a month or two to appear on your statement. If you paid by credit card for a refundable fare and you have trouble getting a refund that you are due (e.g., you have a refundable fare, or you have a nonrefundable fare and the airline canceled your flight and you did not travel as a result), report this in writing to your credit card company. If you write to them within 60 days from the time that they mailed your first monthly statement showing the charge for the airline ticket, the card company should credit your account even if the airline doesn't. This procedure is particularly useful if your airline ceases operations before your flight.

NOTE: In some cases tickets purchased overseas in foreign currency can only be refunded in that same currency and country, due to foreign government monetary restrictions. Keep this in mind if you are considering buying a ticket in a foreign country.

Delayed and Cancelled Flights

Airlines don't guarantee their schedules, and you should realize this when planning your trip. There are many things that can-and often do-make it impossible for flights to arrive on time. Some of these problems, like bad weather, air traffic delays, and mechanical issues, are hard to predict and often beyond the airlines' control.

If your flight is delayed, try to find out how late it will be. But keep in mind that it is sometimes difficult for airlines to estimate the total duration of a delay during its early stages. In so- called "creeping delays," developments occur which were not anticipated when the carrier made its initial estimate of the length of the delay. Weather that had been forecast to improve can instead deteriorate, or a mechanical problem can turn out to be more complex than initially evaluated. If the problem is with local weather or air traffic control, all flights will probably be late and there's not much you or the airline can do to speed up your departure. If your flight is experiencing a lengthy delay, you might be better off trying to arrange another flight, as long as you don't have to pay a cancellation penalty or higher fare for changing your reservations. (It is sometimes easier to make such arrangements by phone than at a ticket counter.) If you find a flight on another airline, ask the first airline if it will endorse your ticket to the new carrier; this could save you a fare collection. Remember, however, that there is no rule requiring them to do this.

If your flight is canceled, most airlines will rebook you on their first flight to your destination on which space is available, at no additional charge. If this involves a significant delay, find out if another carrier has space and ask the first airline if they will endorse your ticket to the other carrier. Finding extra seats may be difficult, however, especially over holidays and other peak travel times.

Each airline has its own policies about what it will do for delayed passengers waiting at the airport; there are no federal requirements. If you are delayed, ask the airline staff if it will pay for meals or a phone call. Some airlines, often those charging very low fares, do not provide any amenities to stranded passengers. Others may not offer amenities if the delay is caused by bad weather or something else beyond the airline's control. Contrary to popular belief, for domestic itineraries airlines are not required to compensate passengers whose flights are delayed or canceled. As discussed in the chapter on overbooking, compensation is required by law on domestic trips only when you are "bumped" from a flight that is oversold. On international itineraries, passengers may be able to recover reimbursement under Article 19 of the Montreal Convention for expenses resulting from a delayed or canceled flight by filing a claim with the airline.  If the claim is denied, you may pursue the matter in court if you believe that the carrier did not take all measures that could reasonably be required to avoid the damages caused by the delay.

If the purpose of your trip is to close a potentially lucrative business deal, give a speech or lecture, attend a family function, or connect to a cruise, you might want to allow a little extra leeway and take an earlier flight. In other words, airline delays aren't unusual, and defensive planning is a good idea when time is your most important consideration.

Some flights are delayed on the airport "tarmac" before taking off or after landing. DOT rules prohibit most U.S. airlines from allowing a domestic flight to remain on the tarmac for more than three hours unless:

• the pilot determines that there is a safety or security reason why the aircraft cannot taxi to the gate and deplane its passengers, or
• Air traffic control advises the pilot that taxiing to the gate (or to another location where passengers can be deplaned) would significantly disrupt airport operations.

U.S. airlines operating international flights to or from most U.S.airports must each establish and comply with their own limit on the length of tarmac delays on those flights. On both domestic and international flights, U.S. airlines must provide passengers with food and water no later than two hours after the tarmac delay begins. While the aircraft remains on the tarmac lavatories must remain operable and medical attention must be available if needed.

When booking your flight remember that a departure early in the day is less likely to be delayed than a later flight, due to "ripple" effects of delays throughout the day. Also, if an early flight does get delayed or canceled, you have more rerouting options. If you book the last flight of the day and it is canceled, you could get stuck overnight. You may select a connection (change of planes) over a nonstop or direct flight because of the convenient departure time or lower fare. However, a change of planes always involves the possibility of a misconnection. If you have a choice of connections and the fares and service are equivalent, choose the one with the least-congested connecting airport, so it will be easier to get to your second flight. You may wish to take into consideration the potential for adverse weather if you have a choice of connecting cities. When making your reservation for a connection, always check the amount of time between flights. Ask yourself what will happen if the first flight is delayed; if you don't like the answer, pick another flight or "construct" a connection that allows more time.

Overbooking is not illegal, and most airlines overbook their scheduled flights to a certain extent in order to compensate for "no-shows." Passengers are sometimes left behind or "bumped" as a result. When an oversale occurs, the Department of Transportation (DOT) requires airlines to ask people who aren't in a hurry to give up their seats voluntarily, in exchange for compensation. Those passengers bumped against their will are, with a few exceptions, entitled to compensation.

Voluntary Bumping

Almost any planeload of airline passengers includes some people with urgent travel needs and others who may be more concerned about the cost of their tickets than about getting to their destination on time. DOT rules require airlines to seek out people who are willing to give up their seats for compensation before bumping anyone involuntarily. Here's how this works. At the check-in or boarding area, airline employees will look for volunteers when it appears that the flight has been oversold. If you're not in a rush to arrive at your next destination, you can give your reservation back to the airline in exchange for compensation and a later flight. But before you do this, you may want to get answers to these important questions:

• When is the next flight on which the airline can confirm your seat? The alternate flight may be just as acceptable to you. On the other hand, if the airline offers to put you on standby on another flight that's full, you could be stranded.
• Will the airline provide other amenities such as free meals, a hotel room, transfers between the hotel and the airport, and a phone card? If not, you might have to spend the money it offers you on food or lodging while you wait for the next flight.

DOT has not mandated the form or amount of compensation that airlines offer to volunteers. DOT does, however, require airlines to advise any volunteer whether he or she might be involuntarily bumped and, if that were to occur, the amount of compensation that would be due. Carriers can negotiate with their passengers for mutually acceptable compensation.  Airlines generally offer a free trip or other transportation benefits to prospective volunteers. The airlines give employees guidelines for bargaining with passengers, and they may select those volunteers willing to sell back their reservations for the lowest price. If the airline offers you a free ticket or a transportation voucher in a certain dollar amount, ask about restrictions. How long is the ticket or voucher good for? Is it "blacked out" during holiday periods when you might want to use it? Can it be used for international flights?

Involuntary Bumping

DOT requires each airline to give all passengers who are bumped involuntarily a written statement describing their rights and explaining how the carrier decides who gets on an oversold flight and who doesn't. Those travelers who don't get to fly are frequently entitled to denied boarding compensation in the form of a check or cash. The minimum amount depends on the price of the traveler's ticket and the length of the delay. DOT's requirements are the minimum but airlines may choose to provide a higher amount.

• If you are bumped involuntarily and the airline arranges substitute transportation that is scheduled to get you to your final destination (including later connections) within one hour of your original scheduled arrival time, there is no compensation.
• If the airline arranges substitute transportation that is scheduled to arrive at your destination between one and two hours after your original arrival time (between one and four hours on international flights), the airline must pay you, at a minimum, an amount equal to 200% of your one-way fare to your final destination that day, or $775, whichever amount is lower.
• If the substitute transportation is scheduled to get you to your destination more than two hours later (four hours internationally), or if the airline does not make any substitute travel arrangements for you, the minimum compensation doubles (400% of your one-way fare, or $1,550, whichever amount is lower).
• If your ticket does not show a fare (for example, a frequent-flyer award ticket or a ticket issued by a consolidator), your denied boarding compensation is based on the lowest cash, check or credit card payment charged for a ticket in the same class of service (e.g., coach, first class) on that flight.
• You always get to keep your original ticket and use it on another flight. If you choose to make your own arrangements, you can request an "involuntary refund" for the ticket for the flight you were bumped from. The denied boarding compensation is essentially a payment for your inconvenience.
• If you paid for optional services on your original flight (e.g., seat selection, checked baggage) and you did not receive those services on your substitute flight or were required to pay a second time, the airline that bumped you must refund those payments to you.

Like all rules, however, there are a few conditions and exceptions:

• To be eligible for compensation, you must have a confirmed reservation. A written confirmation issued by the airline or an authorized agent or reservation service qualifies you in this regard even if the airline can't find your reservation in the computer, as long as you didn't cancel your reservation or miss a reconfirmation deadline.
• Each airline has a check-in deadline, which is the amount of time before scheduled departure that you must present yourself to the airline at the airport. For domestic flights most carriers require you to be at the departure gate between 10 minutes and 30 minutes before scheduled departure, but some deadlines can be an hour or longer. Check-in deadlines on international flights can be as much as three hours before scheduled departure time. Some airlines may simply require you to be at the ticket/baggage counter by this time; most, however, require that you get all the way to the boarding area. Some may have deadlines at both locations. If you miss the check-in deadline, you may have lost your reservation and your right to compensation if the flight is oversold.

As noted above, no compensation is due if the airline arranges substitute transportation which is scheduled to arrive at your destination within one hour of your originally scheduled arrival time.

If the airline must substitute a smaller plane for the one it originally planned to use, the carrier isn't required to pay people who are bumped as a result. In addition, on flights using aircraft with 30 through 60 passenger seats, compensation is not required if you were bumped due to safety-related aircraft weight or balance constraints.

The rules do not apply to charter flights, or to scheduled flights operated with planes that hold fewer than 30 passengers. They don't apply to international flights inbound to the United States, although some airlines on these routes may follow them voluntarily. Also, if you are flying between two foreign cities -- from Paris to Rome, for example -- these rules will not apply. The European Commission has a rule on bumpings that occur in an EC country; ask the airline for details, or go to  http://ec.europa.eu/transport/passengers/air/air_en.htm .

Airlines set their own "boarding priorities" -- the order in which they will bump different categories of passengers in an oversale situation. When a flight is oversold and there are not enough volunteers, some airlines bump passengers with the lowest fares first. Others bump the last passengers to check in. Once you have purchased your ticket, the most effective way to reduce the risk of being bumped is to get to the airport early. For passengers in the same fare class the last passengers to check in are usually the first to be bumped, even if they have met the check-in deadline. Allow extra time; assume that the roads are backed up, the parking lot is full, and there is a long line at the check-in counter.

Airlines may offer free tickets or dollar-amount vouchers for future flights in place of a check for denied boarding compensation. However, if you are bumped involuntarily you have the right to insist on a check if that is your preference. Once you cash the check (or accept the free flight), you will probably lose the ability to pursue more money from the airline later on. However, if being bumped costs you more money than the airline will pay you at the airport, you can try to negotiate a higher settlement with their complaint department. If this doesn't work, you usually have 30 days from the date on the check to decide if you want to accept the amount of the check. You are always free to decline the check (e.g., not cash it) and take the airline to court to try to obtain more compensation. DOT's denied boarding regulation spells out the airlines' minimum obligation to people they bump involuntarily. Finally, don't be a "no-show." If you are holding confirmed reservations you don't plan to use, notify the airline. If you don't, they will cancel all onward or return reservations on your trip.

When an airlines determines that one or more passengers will be involuntarily bumped because the flight is oversold, the airline generally selects those passengers at the gate area before those passengers are accepted for boarding and allowed to board the flight.  Once a passenger has been accepted for boarding or has already boarded the flight, airlines are not permitted  to require that passenger deplane, unless the removal of the passenger is required by safety, security, or health reasons, or the removal is due to the passenger’s unlawful behavior.

Between the time you check your luggage in and the time you claim it at your destination, it may have passed through a maze of conveyor belts and baggage carts.  Once airborne, baggage may tumble around the cargo compartment if the plane hits rough air. In all fairness to the airlines, however, relatively few bags are damaged or lost. With some common-sense packing and other precautions, your bags will likely be among the ones that arrive safely.

You can pack to avoid problems. Certain items should never be put into a piece of luggage that you plan to check into the baggage compartment:

• Small valuables: cash, credit cards, jewelry, an expensive camera.
• Critical items: medicine, keys, passport, tour vouchers, business papers.
• Irreplaceable items: manuscript, heirlooms.
• Fragile items: eyeglasses, glass containers, liquids.

Things like this should be carried on your person or packed in a carry-on bag. Remember, the only way to be sure your valuables are not damaged or lost is to keep them with you. Full flights sometimes run out of room in the cabin for full-size carry-on bags. In those situations the airline must sometimes "gate check" the carry-on baggage of the last passengers to board the flight.  This happens near the door to the aircraft.  Pack your carry-on bag in a manner so that if it must be gate-checked you can quickly remove the fragile, valuable and critical items described above.  For example, consider packing all such items in a small, soft bag that will fit under the seat in front of you, and make sure that this small bag is easily accessible in your carry-on bag.

Although only a tiny percentage of checked bags are permanently lost, your bag might be delayed for a day or two. Don't put perishables in a checked bag; they may spoil if it is delayed. It is wise to put items that you will need during the first 24 hours in a carry-on bag (e.g. toiletries, a change of underwear). Check with the airline for its limits on the size, weight, and number of carry-on pieces. As of this writing, on most flights you are allowed to carry on one bag plus one personal item (e.g., purse, briefcase, camera bag, laptop computer bag).

If you are using more than one airline, check with all of them. Inquire about your flight; different airplanes can have different limits. Don't assume that the flight will have closet space for every carry-on garment bag; yours may have to be checked. If you plan to go shopping at your destination and bring your purchases aboard as carry-on, keep the limits in mind. If you check these purchases, however, carry the receipts separately; they may be necessary for a claim if the merchandise is lost or damaged. Don't put anything into a carry-on bag that could be considered a weapon (e.g. certain scissors, pocket knives). Check the web site of the  Transportation Security Administration  (TSA) for restrictions on carry-on baggage by click "Travelers."

As with carry-ons, checked baggage is subject to limits. Some airlines permit one or two checked bags at no charge; other carriers charge for even one checked bag. There can also be an extra charge if you exceed the airline's limits on the size, weight or number of the bags.

On some flights between two foreign cities, your allowance may be lower and may be based primarily on the weight of the checked bags rather than the number of pieces. The same two bags that cost you nothing to check when you started your trip could result in expensive excess-baggage charges under a weight system. Ask the airlines about the limit for every segment of your international trip before you leave home, especially if you have a stopover of a day or two or if you are changing carriers.

The bags you check should be labeled ? inside and out ? with your name and phone number. Add the name and phone number of a person to contact at your destination if it's practical to do so. Almost all of the bags that are misplaced by airlines do turn up sooner or later. With proper labeling, the bag and its owner can usually be reunited within a few hours.

Don't overpack a bag. This puts pressure on the latches, making it easier for them to pop open. If you plan to check any glassware, musical instruments or other fragile items, they should be packed in a container specifically designed to survive rough handling, preferably a factory-sealed carton or a padded hard-shell carrying case.

Don't check in at the last minute. Even if you make the flight, your bag may not. If you miss the airline's check-in deadline, the carrier might not assume liability for your bag if it is delayed or lost. If you have a choice, select flights that minimize the potential for baggage disruption. The likelihood of a bag going astray increases from #1 to #4 below (i.e., #1 is safest): 1) nonstop flight; 2) direct or 'through' flight (one or more stops, but no change of aircraft); 3) online connection (change of aircraft but not airlines); and 4) interline connection (change of aircraft and airlines)

When you check in, remove straps and hooks from garment bags that you are sending as checked baggage. These can get caught in baggage processing machinery, causing damage to the bag.

The airline will put baggage destination tags on your luggage and give you the stubs to use as claim checks. Make sure you get a stub for every bag. Don't throw them away until after you get your bags back and you check the contents. Not only will you need them if a claim is necessary, but you may need to show them to security upon leaving the baggage-claim area.

Your bags may only be checked to one of your intermediate stops rather than your destination city if you must clear Customs short of your final destination, or if you are taking a connection involving two airlines that don't have an interline agreement. Be sure all of the tags from previous trips are removed from your bag, since they may cause your bag to go astray.

Claiming your bags

Many bags look alike. After you pull what you think is your bag off the carousel, check the name tag or the bag tag number. If your bag arrives open, unlocked or visibly damaged, check right away to see if any of the contents are missing or damaged. Report any problems to the airline before leaving the airport; insist on having a report created. Open your suitcase immediately when you get to where you are staying. Any damage to the contents or any pilferage should be immediately reported to the airline by telephone. Make a note of the date and time of the call, and the name and telephone number of the person you spoke with. Follow up as soon as possible with a certified letter to the airline.

If your suitcase arrives smashed or torn, the airline will usually pay for repairs. If it can't be fixed, they will negotiate a settlement to pay you its depreciated value. The same holds true for belongings packed inside. Airlines may decline to pay for damage caused by the fragile nature of the broken item or inadequate packing, rather than the airline's rough handling. Air carriers might also refuse to compensate you for damaged items inside the bag when there's no evidence of external damage to the suitcase. When you check in, airline personnel may let you know if they think your suitcase or package may not survive the trip intact. Before accepting a questionable item, they may ask you to sign a statement in which you agree to check it at your own risk. But even if you do sign this form, the airline might be liable for damage if it is caused by its own negligence shown by external injury to the suitcase or package.

Delayed bags

If you and your suitcase don't connect at your destination, don't panic. The airlines have very sophisticated systems that track down the vast majority of misplaced bags and return them to their owners within hours. In many cases they will absorb reasonable expenses you incur while they look for your missing belongings. You and the airline may have different ideas of what's reasonable, however, and the amount it will pay is subject to negotiation.

If your bags don't come off the conveyor belt, report this to airline personnel before you leave the airport. Insist that they create a report and give you a copy, even if they say the bag will be in on the next flight. Get an appropriate phone number for following up (not the Reservations number). Don't assume that the airline will deliver the bag without charge when it is found; ask the airline about this. Most carriers set guidelines for their airport employees that allow them to disburse some money at the airport for emergency purchases. The amount depends on whether or not you're away from home and how long it takes to track down your bags and return them to you. If the airline does not provide you a cash advance, it may still reimburse you later for the purchase of necessities. Discuss with the carrier the types of articles that would be reimbursable, and keep all receipts. If the airline misplaces sporting equipment, it will sometimes pay for the rental of replacements. For replacement clothing or other articles, the carrier might offer to absorb only a portion of the purchase cost, on the basis that you will be able to use the new items in the future. (The airline may agree to a higher reimbursement if you turn the articles over to them.)

When you've checked in fresh foods or any other perishable goods and they are ruined because their delivery is delayed, the airline won't reimburse you. Carriers may be liable if they lose or damage perishable items, but they won't accept responsibility for spoilage caused by a delay in delivery.

Airlines are liable for provable consequential damages up to the amount of their liability limit (see below) in connection with the delay. If you can't resolve the claim with the airline's airport staff, keep a record of the names of the employees with whom you dealt, and hold on to all travel documents and receipts for any money you spent in connection with the mishandling. (It's okay to surrender your baggage claim tags to the airline when you fill out a form at the airport, as long as you get a copy of the form and it notes that you gave up the tags.) Contact the airline's baggage claims office or consumer office when you get home.

Lost luggage

Once your bag is declared (permanently) lost, you will have to submit a claim. This usually means you have to fill out a second, more detailed form. Check on this; failure to complete the second form when required could delay your claim. Missing the deadline for filing it could invalidate your claim altogether.

The airline will usually refer your claim to a central office, and the negotiations between you and the airline will begin. If your flight was a connection involving two carriers, the final carrier is normally the one responsible for processing your claim even if it appears that the first airline lost the bag. Airlines don't automatically pay the full amount of every claim they receive. First, they will use the information on your form to estimate the value of your lost belongings. Like insurance companies, airlines consider the depreciated value of your possessions, not their original price or the replacement costs. If you're tempted to exaggerate your claim, don't. Airlines may completely deny claims they feel are inflated or fraudulent. They often ask for sales receipts and other documentation to back up claims, especially if a large amount of money is involved. If you don't keep extensive records, you can expect to negotiate with the airline over the value of your goods. Generally, it takes an airline anywhere from four weeks to three months to pay passengers for their lost luggage. When airlines tender a settlement, they may offer you the option of free tickets on future flights in a higher amount than the cash payment. Ask about all restrictions on these tickets, such as "blackout" periods.

Limits on liability

Airlines assert a limit on their liability for delayed, lost or damaged checked baggage.  When your luggage and its contents are worth more than the liability limit, you may want to purchase "excess valuation," if available, from the airline as you check in. This is not insurance, but it will increase the carrier's potential liability. The airline may refuse to sell excess valuation on some items that are especially valuable or breakable, such as antiques, musical instruments, jewelry, manuscripts, negotiable securities and cash.

On domestic trips, the airline can invoke a liability ceiling that is regulated by DOT and that is adjusted for inflation every two years. That limit is currently $3,800 per passenger.

On international round trips that originate in the United States, the liability limit is set by a treaty called the Montreal Convention. This treaty also governs liability on international round trips that originate in another country that has ratified this Convention, and one-way trips between the U.S. and such a country. This international limit is reviewed for inflationary adjustment every five years; it is currently 1,288  Special Drawing Rights .  The SDR is a currency surrogate that floats daily; check with the  International Monetary Fund (IMF)  to see the current exchange rate.  At this writing 1,288 SDRs was worth about $1,780.  The international limit applies to domestic segments of an international journey.  In certain very limited circumstances, this may be the case even if the domestic and international flights are on separate tickets and you claim and re-check your bag between the two flights.

Keep in mind that the liability limits are maximums. If the depreciated value of your property is worth less than the liability limit, this lower amount is what you will be offered. If the airline's settlement doesn't fully reimburse your loss, check your homeowner's or renter's insurance; it sometimes covers losses away from the residence. Some credit card companies and travel agencies offer optional or even automatic supplemental baggage coverage.

Special liability requirements apply to the domestic transportation of assistive devices used by passengers with disabilities.  For more information, read our  page about wheelchairs and assistive devices  or the publication  New Horizons: Information for the Air Traveler with a Disability .

Hazardous Items

There are restrictions on carrying materials that could be hazardous in an aircraft environment.  For example, matches are not permitted in checked bags.  For details on hazardous materials, go to  www.faa.gov  >> Travelers, and  www.tsa.gov  >> Travelers.

Under U.S. government rules, smoking is prohibited on all scheduled-service flights of U.S. airlines. As a general matter, foreign airlines must also ban smoking on all scheduled-service flight segments in, to and from the United States. Cigar and pipe smoking is banned on all U.S.-carrier flights (both scheduled and charter).

On flights where smoking is not banned by law (e.g., charter flights), airlines must have a non-smoking section and must accommodate in that section every passenger who has complied with the airline’s check-in deadline and who wishes to be seated there.  On these flights, carriers are not required to have a smoking section. An airline is free to ban smoking on a particular flight, or on all of its flights.

None of the regulations described in this chapter apply to charter flights performed with small aircraft by on-demand air taxi operators.

The Air Carrier Access Act and the DOT rule that implements it set out procedures designed to ensure that individuals with disabilities have the same opportunity as anyone else to enjoy a pleasant flight. For information about these provisions, see the DOT publication  New Horizons: Information for the Air Traveler With a Disability . 

Frequent-Traveler Programs

Most if not all major airlines participate in frequent-traveler plans. These programs allow you to earn free trips, upgrades (e.g., from Coach to First Class) or other awards based on how often you fly on that airline or its partner carriers. In most programs you can also earn credit by using specified hotels, rental car companies, credit cards, etc. It doesn't cost anything to join a program, and you can enroll in the programs of any number of different airlines. However, you will want to determine which program best suits your needs before you accumulate a lot of miles. Here are some things to look at when selecting a frequent-traveler program.

• Does the airline fly where you're likely to want to go?
• Are there tie-ins with other carriers, especially those with international routes? Is some of the airline's service provided by commuter-carrier "partners"? In both cases, can you earn credits and use awards on those other airlines?
• How many miles (or trips) are required for particular awards?
• Is there a minimum award per flight (e.g., you are only flying 200 miles but the airline always awards at least 500)?
• Is there a deadline for using accumulated miles?
• Carefully examine the number and length of any "blackout periods" during which awards cannot be used. For example, on some carriers the Thanksgiving blackout may last a week.
• If you are planning a big trip involving air travel and are thinking about joining that airline's frequent-flyer program, enroll before you travel. Airlines usually won't credit mileage that was flown before you became a member.

After you join a program, there are other things that you should know:

• Airlines reserve the right to make changes to their programs, sometimes on short notice. The number of miles required for particular awards might be raised, requiring you to use your old mileage (i.e., your current balance) under the more restrictive new rules. The airline may cease service on a route that you were particularly interested in, or it may even stop serving the city you live in. The carrier may eliminate attractive frequent-flyer tie-ins with particular airlines or hotel chains.
• Cashing in your mileage frequently will limit your losses in case the carrier changes the rules, merges, or goes out of business. Accumulating a larger mileage balance will entitle you to bigger awards, however.
• Carriers often limit the number of seats on each flight for which frequent-flyer awards can be used. You may not be able to get reservations on your first- or second-choice dates or flights.
• Awards can often be issued in the name of immediate family members. However, if you sell or give an award to someone not named on the award or the travel document and the airline finds out, the recipient could have his or her ticket confiscated, and the carrier may penalize the program member's account balance.
• Ask the airline how mileage is registered; you will probably have to identify yourself as a program member when you book your flight or when you check in.
• Keep your ticket (or email confirmation) and your boarding passes until you receive a statement from the frequent-flyer program reflecting the correct mileage earnings for that trip. If a problem arises, get the names of the people you speak with and keep notes of your conversations.

Throughout this booklet, we have tried to provide you general information about airline travel. It is important to realize, however, that each airline has specific rules that make up your contract of carriage. These rules may differ among carriers. They include provisions such as check-in deadlines, refund procedures, responsibility for delayed flights, and many other things.

Domestic Travel

For domestic travel, an airline may provide all of its contract terms on or with your ticket at the time you buy it. Some small "commuter" carriers use this system. Other airlines may elect to "incorporate terms by reference." This means that you are not given all the airline's rules with your ticket - most of them are contained in a separate document which you can inspect on request or on the airline’s web site. If an airline elects to "incorporate by reference" it must provide conspicuous written notice with each ticket that: 1) it incorporates terms by reference, and 2) these terms may include liability limitations, claim-filing deadlines, check-in deadlines, and certain other key terms. The airline must also:

• Ensure that passengers can receive an explanation of key terms identified on the ticket from any location where the carrier's tickets are sold, including travel agencies;
• Make available for inspection the full text of its contract of carriage at each of its own airport and city ticket offices;
• Mail a free copy of the full text of its contract of carriage upon request.

DOT also requires most U.S.airlines to post their contracts of carriage on their web site, if they have one.

There are additional notice requirements for contract terms that affect your air fare. Airlines must provide a conspicuous written notice on or with the ticket concerning any "incorporated" contract terms that restrict refunds, impose monetary penalties, or permit the airline to raise the price after you've bought the ticket.

If an airline incorporates contract terms by reference and fails to provide you the required notice about a particular rule, you will not be bound by that rule. In addition, a DOT rule prohibits airlines from changing a term in your contract after you buy your ticket if the change will have a significant negative effect on you.

International Travel

Not all of the detailed requirements for disclosing domestic contract terms apply to international travel. Where they do not, the airline must keep a copy of its "tariff" rules at its airport and city ticket offices. On flights to or from the U.S., you have a right to examine these rules.

The most important point to remember, whether your travel is domestic or international, is that you should not be afraid to ask questions about a carrier's rules. You have a right to know the terms of your contract of carriage. It is in your best interest, as well as that of the airline, for you to ask in advance about any matters of uncertainty.  

Unlike most products, travel services usually have to be paid for before they are delivered. This creates opportunities for disreputable individuals and companies. Some travel packages turn out to be very different from what was presented or what the consumer expected. Some don't materialize at all! If you receive an offer by phone or mail for a free or extremely low-priced vacation trip to a popular destination (often Hawaii or Florida), there are a few things you should look for:

• Does the price seem too good to be true? If so, it probably is.
• Are you pressured to make an immediate decision?
• Is the carrier simply identified as "a major airline," or does the representative offer a collection of airlines without being able to say which one you will be on?
• Is the representative unable or unwilling to give you a street address for the company?
• Are you told you can't leave for at least two months? (The legal deadline for disputing a credit card charge is 60 days, and most scam artists know this.)

If you encounter any of these symptoms, proceed cautiously. Ask for written information to be sent to you; any legitimate travel company will be happy to oblige. If they don't have a brochure, ask for a day or two to think it over; most bona fide deals that are good today will still be good two days from now. If they say no to both requests, this probably isn't the trip for you. Some other advice:

• If you are told that you've won a free vacation, ask if you have to buy something else in order to get it. Some packages have promoted free air fare, as long as you buy expensive hotel arrangements. Others include a free hotel stay, but no air fare.
• If you are seriously considering the vacation offer and are confident you have established the full price you will pay, compare the offer to what you might obtain elsewhere. Frequently, the appeal of free air fare or free accommodations disguises the fact that the total price is still higher than that of a regular package tour.
• Get a confirmed departure date, in writing, before you pay anything. Eye skeptically any promises that an acceptable date will be arranged later. If the package involves standby or waitlist travel, or a reservation that can only be provided much later, ask if your payment is refundable if you want to cancel, and don't pay any money you can't afford to lose.
• If the destination is a beach resort, ask the seller how far the hotel is from the beach. Then ask the hotel.
• Determine the complete cost of the trip in dollars, including all service charges, taxes, processing fees, etc.
• If you decide to buy the trip after checking it out, paying by credit card gives you certain legal rights to pursue a chargeback (credit) if promised services aren't delivered.

For further advice, see "Other Sources of Information" at the end of this brochure for details on how to order the Federal Trade Commission's pamphlet Telemarketing Travel Fraud.

Flying is a routine activity for millions of Americans, and raises no health considerations for the great majority of them. However, there are certain things you can do to ensure that your flight is as comfortable as possible. Changes in pressure can temporarily block the Eustachian tube, causing your ears to 'pop' or to experience a sensation of fullness. To equalize the pressure, swallow frequently; chewing gum sometimes helps. Yawning is also effective. Avoid sleeping during descent; you may not swallow often enough to keep ahead of the pressure change.

Babies are especially troubled by these pressure changes during descent. Having them feed from a bottle or suck on a pacifier will often provide relief. Avoid flying if you have recently had abdominal, eye or oral surgery, including a root canal. The pressure changes that occur during climb and descent can result in discomfort. If you have an upper respiratory or sinus infection, you may also experience discomfort resulting from pressure changes. Postpone your trip if possible. (Check to see if your fare has cancellation or change penalties.) A final tip on pressure changes: they cause your feet to swell. Try not to wear new or tight shoes while flying.

Alcohol and coffee both have a drying effect on the body. Airliner cabin air is relatively dry to begin with, and the combination can increase your chances of contracting a respiratory infection. If you wear contact lenses, the low cabin humidity and/or consumption of alcohol or coffee can reduce your tear volume, leading to discomfort if you don't blink often enough. Lens wearers should clean their lenses thoroughly before the flight, use lubricating eye drops during the flight, read in intervals, and take the lenses out if they nap. (This may not apply to extended wear lenses; consult your practitioner.) If you take prescription medications, bring enough to last through your trip. Take along a copy of the prescription, or your doctor's name and telephone number, in case the medication is lost or stolen. The medicine should be in the original prescription bottle in order to avoid questions at security or Customs inspections. Carry it in a pocket or a carry-on bag; don't pack it in a checked bag, in case the bag is lost.

You can minimize the effects of jet lag in several ways:

Get several good nights' sleep before your trip.

Try to take a flight that arrives at night, so you can go straight to bed.

Sleep on the plane (although not during descent).

During the flight do isometric exercises, eat lightly, and drink little or no alcohol.

A condition known as Deep Venous Thrombosis can occur in some people who don’t exercise their legs for several hours ? for example, during an airline flight. Consider walking up and down the aisle once or twice, and search the web for exercises that you can do at your seat to minimize the risk of developing this condition during a flight.

Try to use a rest room in the airport terminal before departure. On some flights the cabin crew begins beverage service shortly after the "Fasten Seat Belts" sign is turned off, and the serving cart may block access to the lavatories.

Air travel is so safe you'll probably never have to use any of the advice we're about to give you. But if you ever do need it, this information could save your life. Airline passengers usually take safety for granted when they board an airplane. They tune out the crew's pre-flight announcements or reach for a magazine instead of the cards that show how to open the emergency exit and what to do if the oxygen mask drops down. Because of this, people may be needlessly hurt or killed in accidents they could survive. Every time you board a plane, here are some things you should do:

Carry-on bags must be properly stowed in overhead bins or under the seat in front of you. Be careful about what you put into the storage bins over your seat. Their doors may pop open during an accident or even a hard landing, spilling their contents. Also, passengers in aisle seats have been injured by heavy items falling out of these compartments when people are stowing or retrieving belongings at the beginning or end of a flight.

As soon as you sit down, fasten and unfasten your seat belt a couple of times. Watch how it works. In an emergency you don't want to waste time fumbling with the buckle.

Before take-off, there will be a briefing about safety procedures, pointing out emergency exits and explaining seat belts, life vests and oxygen masks. Listen carefully and if there's anything you don't understand ask the flight attendants for help.

The plastic card in the seat pocket in front of you will review some of the safety information announced by the flight attendant. Read it. It also tells you about emergency exits and how to find and use emergency equipment such as oxygen masks. As you're reading the card look for your closest emergency exit, and count the number of rows between yourself and this exit. Remember, the closest exit may be behind you. Have a second escape route planned in case the nearest exit is blocked. This is important because people sometimes head for the door they used to board the plane, usually in the front of the first class cabin. This wastes time and blocks the aisles. If the oxygen masks should drop, you must tug the plastic tube slightly to get the oxygen flowing. If you don't understand the instructions about how the mask works, ask a flight attendant to explain them to you.

When the plane is safely in the air, the pilot usually turns off the "fasten seat belt" sign. He or she usually suggests that passengers keep their belts buckled anyway during the flight in case the plane hits rough air. This is a good idea; there have been a number of instances of unexpected turbulence in which unbelted passengers were seriously injured and even killed when they were thrown about the cabin. Just as seat belts should always be worn in cars, in airplanes they should always be fastened when you are in your seat.

If you are ever in an aviation accident, you should remember these things:

Listen to the crew members and do what they say. The cabin crew's most important job is to help you evacuate safely.

Before you try to open any emergency exit yourself, look outside the window. If you see a fire outside the door, don't open it or the flames may spread into the cabin. Try to use your alternate escape route.

Remember, smoke rises. So try to stay down if there's smoke in the cabin. Follow the track of emergency lights embedded in the floor; they lead to an exit. If you have a cloth, put it over your nose and mouth.

After an air accident, the National Transportation Safety Board always talks to survivors to try to learn why they were able to make it through safely. They've discovered that, as a rule, it does help to be prepared. Avoiding serious injury or surviving an air accident isn't just a matter of luck; it's also a matter of being informed and thinking ahead.

Are you one of those people who jumps up while the aircraft is still taxiing, gathers up coat, suitcase and briefcase, and gets ready to sprint? If so, resist the urge. Planes sometimes make sudden stops when they are taxiing to the airport gate, and passengers have been injured when they were thrown onto a seat back or the edge of a door of an overhead bin. Stay in your seat with your belt buckled until the plane comes to a complete halt and the 'fasten seat belt' sign is turned off.

Never smoke in airplane restrooms. Smoking was banned there after an accident killed 116 people in only 4 minutes, apparently because a careless smoker left a burning cigarette butt in the trash bin. There is a steep fine for disabling a lavatory smoke detector.

Security procedures are administered by the Transportation Security Administration, an agency of the Department of Homeland Security.  For more information, go to  www.tsa.gov  and click "For Travelers."  Note in particular the identification provisions, and restrictions concerning carry-on baggage (particularly the "3-1-1" procedure for liquids and gels in carry-on bags), and the list of prohibited items.  At this writing, cabin baggage is generally limited to one carry-on bag plus one personal item (e.g. purse, briefcase, camera bag, laptop computer). 

DOT rules require U.S. airlines to provide information on how to file a complaint with the carrier. This information must appear on their web sites, on all e-ticket confirmations, and upon request at any of the airline’s ticket counters or gates. When passengers comment on airline service, most airlines do listen. They track and analyze the complaints and compliments they receive and use the information to determine what the public wants and to identify problem areas that need attention. They also try to resolve individual complaints. A DOT rule requires that airlines acknowledge a written complaint within 30 days and send a substantive response within 60 days of receiving the complaint.

Like other businesses, airlines have a lot of discretion in how they respond to problems. While you do have certain rights as a passenger, your demands for compensation will probably be subject to negotiation and the kind of action you get often depends in large part on the way you go about complaining. Start with the airline. Before you contact DOT for help with an air travel problem, you should give the airline a chance to resolve it. As a rule, airlines have trouble-shooters at the airports (they're usually called Customer Service Representatives) who can take care of many problems on the spot. They can often arrange meals and hotel rooms for stranded passengers, write checks for denied boarding compensation, arrange luggage resolutions, and settle other routine claims or complaints

If you can't resolve the problem at the airport and want to file a complaint, it's best to write or email the airline's consumer office at its corporate headquarters. DOT requires most U.S. airlines to state on their web sites how and where complaints can be submitted. There may be a form on the airline’s web site for this purpose. Take notes at the time the incident occurred and jot down the names of the carrier employees with whom you dealt. Keep all of your travel documents (ticket or confirmation, baggage check stubs, boarding pass, etc.) as well as receipts for any out-of-pocket expenses that were incurred as a result of the mishandling. Here are some helpful tips should you choose to write.

• If you send a letter, type it and, if at all possible, limit it to two pages.
• Include your daytime telephone number (with area code).
• No matter how angry you might be, keep your letter or email businesslike in tone and don't exaggerate what happened. If the complaint sounds very vehement or sarcastic, you might wait a day and then consider revising it.
• Describe what happened, and give dates, cities, and flight numbers or flight times.
• Where possible, include copies, never the originals, of tickets and receipts or other documents that can back up your claim.
• Include the names of any employees who were rude or made things worse, as well as anyone who might have been especially helpful.
• Don't clutter your complaint with a litany of petty gripes that can obscure what you're really angry about.
• Let the airline know if you've suffered any special inconvenience or monetary losses.
• Say just what you expect the carrier to do to make amends. An airline may offer to settle your claim with a check or some other kind of compensation, possibly free transportation. You might want a written apology from a rude employee or reimbursement for some loss you incurred ? but the airline needs to know what you want before it can decide what action to take.
• Be reasonable. If your demands are way out of line, you are rude or sarcastic, or you use vulgar language, at best your letter might earn you a polite apology and a place in the airline's crank files.

If you follow these guidelines, the airlines will probably treat your complaint seriously. Your letter will help them to determine what caused your problem, as well as to suggest actions the company can take to keep the same thing from happening to other people.

Contacting the Department of Transportation (DOT)

Complaints about airline service may be registered with DOT's Office of Aviation Consumer Protection. You can call, write or use our web-based complaint form .

You may contact DOT by phone at 202-366-2220 for information related to a consumer related problem.  Please know that in order for a case to be processed as a complaint, it must be submitted in writing. You may send DOT correspondence by mail at the address below:

Office of Aviation Consumer Protection U.S. Department of Transportation 1200 New Jersey Ave, S.E. Washington, D.C. 20590

When mailing a letter, please include your full address and phone number as well as complete and accurate information about your trip and the problem you had or are having.

To send us a complaint, comment or inquiry electronically, please use our web form .

Complaints from consumers help us spot problem areas and trends in the airline industry. We use our complaint files to document the need for changes in DOT's consumer protection regulations and, where warranted, as the basis for enforcement action (i.e., where a serious breach of the law has occurred). In addition, every month we publish a report with information about the number of complaints we receive about each airline and what problems people are having. You can find this Air Travel Consumer Report on our web site.  That publication also has statistics that the airlines file with us on flight delays, oversales and mishandled baggage.

If your complaint is about something you feel is a safety hazard, write to the Federal Aviation Administration at:

Or call 1-866-TELL-FAA (1-866-835-5322).

Questions or concerns about aviation security should be directed to the  Transportation Security Administration :

Phone (toll-free): 1-866-289-9673

E-mail:  [email protected]

Or write to:

Your Last Resort

If nothing else works, small claims court might be the best way for you to help yourself. Many localities have these courts to settle disputes involving relatively small amounts of money and to reduce the red tape and expense that people generally fear when they sue someone. An airline can generally be sued in small claims court in any jurisdiction where it operates flights or does business. You can usually get the details of how to use the small claims court in your community by contacting your city or county office of consumer affairs, or the clerk of the court. As a rule, small claims court costs are low, you don't need a lawyer, and the procedures are much less formal and intimidating than they are in most other types of courts. See the DOT publication  Tell It to the Judge .

Airline coronavirus change and cancellation policies: A complete list of major carriers

While many travelers are once again willing to take to the skies , countless flyers continue to be impacted by pandemic-related service adjustments. Airlines, airports and even the TSA are fighting to hire new workers to handle the crush, plus balance a wave of flight cancellations and delays.

Related: Long lines, reduced amenities, higher prices: What staffing shortages mean for your summer vacation

Below, I'll be digging into the major airlines and their current policies, to give you an idea of what you're entitled to. I recommend taking a look at the following posts, too:

• Why you should think twice before accepting an airline voucher
• When you're entitled to a refund for your canceled flight
• Can I claim EU261 if my flight was impacted by coronavirus?

As always, it could be a great time to use miles to book future trips. Several airlines have updated their frequent flyer programs to allow members to cancel and deposit awards for free, giving you far more flexibility. For a closer look at award ticket policies and redeposit fees, check out our full guide here .

Airline Change/Cancellation Policies

U.s. airlines.

New and existing bookings: As of May 1, 2021, Allegiant's change and cancel fees have been temporarily reduced to $25 per person, per flight segment. A flight segment is one takeoff and one landing. Most changes and cancellations can now be made directly via visiting Manage Travel .

For more information: See the full Allegiant policy here .

Trips booked between Feb. 27, 2020, and April 30, 2021: Customers with plans to travel through Feb. 28, 2022, may cancel or change their itineraries for no fee, as long as the new travel takes place within a year of the original travel date. A difference in fare will apply if passengers move to a higher-cost flight. If you purchase a Saver fare between Feb. 27, 2020, and April 30, 2021, you may either cancel your trip without a fee and deposit the funds into your My Account wallet or receive a credit for future travel. If you bought a nonrefundable first class, main or award ticket between Feb. 27, 2020, and April 30, 2021, you can either change your trip without a fee with a fare difference that may apply to your new itinerary or cancel your trip without a fee and deposit the funds into your My Account wallet or receive a credit for future travel. If you purchased your tickets through a third party, such as Expedia, another travel agency, or another airline, contact them directly for assistance.

Award tickets: Customers who cancel their award tickets will have their miles redeposited for no fee, and the airline will refund the charges for taxes and fees as well.

For more information: See the full Alaska policy here .

Related: You're entitled to a refund on your canceled flight, even if the airline says you aren't

New and existing bookings: Travelers will no longer pay change fees for all domestic, short-haul international and select long-haul international flying on Premium Cabin, Premium Economy and Main Cabin fares. Basic Economy fares bought on or after April 1, 2021, are non-refundable and non-changeable. But you can now buy extras such as upgrades, seats, priority boarding and same-day flight changes. AAdvantage elite members may apply their travel benefits on all tickets, including on Basic Economy fares.

Tickets that were booked by Sept. 30 may be used to cover travel through Dec. 31, 2021. If you have a ticket that expires between March 1, 2020, and March 31, 2021, the value of your unused ticket can be used for travel through March 31, 2022. Travelers can standby for free on earlier domestic flights, including Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, to the same destination on the same day.

Award tickets: In addition to the policies outlined above, all AAdvantage members can change or redeposit award tickets without penalty at least 60 days in advance of departure.

For more information: See the full American policy here .

New bookings: Any tickets purchased through March 30, 2021, can be canceled or changed without any fees, for new travel completed within one year of the original ticket issue date. A difference in fare may apply if you move to a higher-cost flight. Basic Economy tickets purchased after April 30, 2021, are final and are not changeable or refundable after the expiration of the 24-Hour Risk-Free Cancellation period unless Delta has already made a significant change that has impacted your upcoming flight. For all Delta tickets where travel begins outside of North America, the airline continues to offer waived change fees except for Basic Economy fares, which are not changeable.

Existing bookings: Customers with tickets issued before April 17, 2020, for travel through March 31, 2021, may cancel or rebook their itineraries for no fee, for new travel completed by Dec. 31, 2022. Tickets issued between April 17, 2020, and March 31, 2021, can be changed without penalty, but will only be valid for one year from the original ticket issue date. If the airline cancels the flight, you are entitled to a refund to your original form of payment. Tickets not changed or canceled prior to departure will have no remaining value. However, you won't be charged a fee for canceling your ticket and your ticket will become an eCredit that you can use at any time before your ticket expires.

Award tickets: Delta is waiving redeposit fees for any award flights that qualify under the current waivers. Additionally, Delta is no longer charging a redeposit or change fee for all SkyMiles members traveling on domestic awards, excluding basic economy bookings.

For more information: See the full Delta policy here .

New bookings: The airline's general policy allows for free itinerary changes when requested 60 days or more prior to departure. A $39 change fee will be applied between 59 and seven days before departure and will go up to $59 for changes six days before departure or less, including same-day modifications.

Existing bookings (booked between March 10 and April 15, 2020): Customers may cancel or rebook their itineraries without a fee. The new, changed itinerary must be completed by Sept. 12, 2021. Customers who cancel their flights will receive a voucher for the value of their ticket that is valid for 90 days from the day they cancel. If the airline cancels the flight, customers can request a full refund to their original form of payment.

Existing bookings (booked between July 2 and July 31, 2020): Customers may make one change without a fee if the change is made seven or more days prior to departure. New travel must be completed by Sept. 12, 2021. A fare difference may apply, but no residual will be issued for lower-cost flights. Alternatively, passengers may cancel flights and receive a credit, which must be redeemed within 90 days of issue for travel through the end of the airline's current schedule.

Existing bookings (booked between Aug. 31 and Sept. 31, 2020): Customers may make one change without a fee if the change is made seven or more days prior to departure. A fare difference may apply, but no residual will be issued for lower-cost flights. Alternatively, passengers may cancel flights and receive a credit, which must be redeemed within 90 days of issue for travel through the end of the airline's current schedule.

Award tickets: Frontier customers can cancel prior to departure and redeposit their miles with a $75 fee.

For more information: See the full Frontier policy here .

New and existing bookings: The carrier has discontinued change fees for all destinations permanently. Customers will be responsible for paying any additional fare difference, if it applies. If the airline cancels the flight, customers can request a full refund to their original form of payment.

Existing bookings (booked before March 1, 2020, with original travel dates until Feb. 28, 2021): Customers may change or cancel their itineraries for no fee. The new, changed itinerary must begin on or before May 31, 2022. Those who choose to cancel will be issued a voucher valid for up to one year from the original ticket purchase date. If the airline cancels the flight, customers can request a full refund to their original form of payment.

Award tickets: Hawaiian is no longer charging change or redeposit fees for canceled award flights.

For more information: See the full Hawaiian policy here .

New bookings: Customers can change or cancel tickets booked through March 31, 2021, for no fee, although only one change will be permitted for existing tickets changed after that date. If passengers rebook flights, they may have to pay the difference in cost between the original ticket and the new fare. If customers cancel their travel or move to a lower-cost flight, JetBlue will issue a credit valid for 12 months.

Existing bookings : JetBlue has eliminated change fees for most tickets on an ongoing basis, excluding Blue Basic fares. All fares booked by June 7, 2021, will still enjoy no change or cancel fees. For fares booked June 8, 2021, or later:

• No change or cancellation fees for Blue, Blue Plus and Mint fares on all routes. Difference in fare applies. Same-day switches can be made for $75 (or free for Mosaic members), without paying a fare difference.
• No change or cancellation fees (difference in fare applies), and free same-day switches, for Blue Extra fares.
• Blue Basic fares can be changed or canceled for a fee, based on route.

Award tickets: JetBlue is waiving the redeposit fee for TrueBlue points on award tickets covered by its current waivers.

For more information: See the full JetBlue policy here and here .

Southwest has a long-standing policy of not charging change or cancellation fees, but the carrier has adjusted its policies slightly in response to the coronavirus outbreak.

New and existing bookings: Customers can choose to cancel their booking and receive a credit valid for 12 months from the original purchase date. If Southwest cancels your flight, you'll be eligible for a refund to your original form of payment.

Existing credits: Under its previous policy, unused credits were extended with a new expiration date of Sept. 7, 2022. While unused credits will remain valid until that date, once credits are redeemed, the airline's current policy will apply, in which case they'll expire 12 months after the flight booking date.

Award tickets: Southwest does not charge a redeposit fee for points on canceled award itineraries.

For more information: See the full Southwest policy here .

New and existing bookings: Spirit is waiving change and cancellation fees for travel booked by March 31, 2021. Customers who choose to cancel a flight voluntarily will be issued a travel credit. Credits issued after May 31, 2020, will expire on Sept. 30, 2021, and all rebooked travel must be completed by that date. Passengers who choose to move to a more expensive flight may have to pay a difference in fare. If Spirit cancels your flight, you may request a refund to your original form of payment.

Award tickets: Spirit is waiving redeposit fees on canceled award itineraries.

For more information: See the full Spirit policy here .

New and existing bookings: Any tickets purchased through March 31, 2021, can be canceled or changed without a fee, though a difference in fare may apply. Passengers cannot get a cash refund, and will not be issued a credit or refund if the new itinerary costs less than the original booking. Credits on cancellations are generally valid for 12 months from the original ticket date, though all tickets originally purchased between May 1, 2019, and March 31, 2021, will be valid through March 31, 2022, or 12 months after the date of the first flight flown on an itinerary, whichever is sooner. Change fees will also be permanently waived for most domestic and international flights, with the exception of Basic Economy tickets, which cannot be changed if purchased on or after April 1, 2021. If the airline cancels the flight, and you can't be rebooked to arrive within two hours of your original arrival time, you can request a full refund to your original form of payment.

Existing bookings (booked between March 3 and March 31, 2020): Customers can cancel or change their itinerary for no fee, as long as the new travel commences within 24 months of the original ticket's issue date. Customers who choose to cancel will be issued a 24-month credit for future travel. If the airline cancels the flight, and you can't be rebooked to arrive within two hours of your original arrival time, you can request a full refund to your original form of payment.

Award tickets: United is no longer charging change or redeposit fees for canceled award flights booked in North America when changes are made at least 31 days before departure. A $125 fee may apply when changes and cancellations are requested within 30 days of a flight.

For more information: See the full United policy here .

CANADIAN AIRLINES

Existing bookings: Flights booked through April 30, 2021, for travel through April 30, 2022, can be canceled or changed one time without any fee up to two hours before departure. New travel must be completed within 24 months from the date of cancellation. A difference in fare may apply. Passengers may also elect to receive Aeroplan Miles with an additional 65% bonus miles when canceling, and will soon have the option of receiving an Air Canada Travel Voucher that is fully transferable and does not expire.

New bookings: Until July 31, 2021, if you want to change your flight, the airline will waive the change fee. After July 31, 2021, you can make one change at no extra charge. If your new fare has a higher price, you only need to pay the difference from your original fare. If you need to cancel a booking, the full value can be transferred to an Air Canada Travel Voucher, which never expires and is fully transferrable, or converted into Aeroplan points with a 65% bonus.

Award tickets: Aeroplan flight rewards booked before July 31, 2021, can be changed or canceled free of charge, up to two hours before your flight.

For more information: See the full Air Canada policy here .

New and existing bookings: All flights booked between March 3, 2020, and July 31, 2021, will be allowed a $0 one-time fee waiver for changes or cancellations. Change or cancellation must be requested more than 24 hours from departure. The value of canceled flights will be returned as a Travel Bank credit, valid for 24 months from the date your flight was canceled. If you change your flight, the difference in fare applies. If the new fare is less, the difference will be returned as a Travel Bank credit. For changes or cancellations within 24 hours of travel, standard change and cancel fee rules apply.

Award tickets: The airline's current policies apply to flights purchased using WestJet Dollars.

For more information: Check out WestJet's full policies here.

Additional reporting by Benét J. Wilson.

Need to Change Your Travel Plans Due to Coronavirus? These Are Your Options

The global covid-19 pandemic has canceled many travelers’ upcoming trips. in light of the crisis, numerous airlines, hotels, and tour providers have rolled out more lenient change and cancellation policies—with some now extending those policies into the fall and beyond..

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Travelers the world over are working to cancel or rebook upcoming trips due to the global coronavirus pandemic.

Photo by Sanga Park/Shutterstock

This is a developing story. For up-to-date information on traveling during the coronavirus outbreak, visit the websites of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization.

For travelers who are having to cancel upcoming trips due to the global coronavirus pandemic (and given the unprecedented scope of this international health crisis, we know there are a lot of you), airlines, hotels, and tour operators are offering cancellation and rebooking options that are (rightfully) more generous than what you would expect during non-pandemic times.

Numerous travel companies have considerably relaxed their change and cancellation policies through the summer and into the fall. Many appear to be keen on doing right by travelers who were unknowingly affected by this situation before anyone fully understood its scope and scale, even as they suffer some pretty unfathomable financial losses themselves.

However, if it’s a full refund you’re hoping for, unless the airline, tour operator, or cruise line canceled your trip (and even then it’s not a guarantee), you’re not necessarily going to get one. The U.S. Department of Transportation did recently remind U.S. airlines that they remain obligated to provide refunds to passengers for flights that were canceled by the airlines.

Travelers with existing reservations for trips that are due to take place several months from now may be in limbo for a little while longer as some travel companies wait to decide on what to do about change and cancellation options further out. While those travelers are likely anxious to make a decision one way or another, to just go ahead and cancel or reschedule, there could be some benefits in waiting a bit to see whether some of these policies do in fact end up getting extended (again).

As for what’s on the table right now, here is a roundup of coronavirus-related change and cancellation policies.

Will airlines refund tickets due to coronavirus?

In light of the coronavirus pandemic, airlines have had to cancel thousands of flights due to travel restrictions that have been put in place by various governments (including by the United States ) and due to a drastic drop in demand as large swaths of the population are sheltering in place and practicing social distancing to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

Given the avalanche of cancellations, airlines have been steering customers toward the option of obtaining a future flight credit—versus a refund—if their flight has been canceled because of the COVID-19 outbreak. But in early April, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) issued a notice to U.S. and foreign airlines reminding them that they remain obligated to provide “a prompt refund to passengers for flights to, within, or from the United States when the carrier cancels the passenger’s scheduled flight or makes a significant schedule change and the passenger chooses not to accept the alternative offered by the carrier.” (Lawmakers in Europe followed suit days later , with Europen Union Transport Commissioner Adina Valean rejecting calls from airlines to relax refund rules.)

The DOT stated that it had been receiving a growing number of complaints and inquiries from ticketed passengers who said they have been denied refunds for flights that were canceled or significantly delayed.

For flights that passengers choose to cancel, the airlines are offering future flight credits, allowing travelers to cancel their ticket and basically set aside that money to be used on a flight at a later date—and thankfully, you don’t have to book that flight now (which is good because it’s impossible to know how this pandemic is going to play out). American and Delta are currently offering that flexibility for flights that were scheduled to depart all the way through the end of September, and United’s flight change waiver now extends to the end of the year.

American Airlines: Any flights booked on American up until May 31, 2020, for travel through September 30, 2020, can be rebooked without change fees for travel that takes place by December 31, 2021; flights booked between March and May 31, 2020, for all future travel can also be canceled and changed without a change fee (while the fees will be waived, you will be charged a fare difference).

The airline is encouraging those who don’t plan to travel anytime soon to simply cancel their flight online and then rebook at a later date. When you’re ready to rebook, call the reservations department and be prepared to give them your 13-digit ticket number and 6-character confirmation number.

If a flight was canceled by American Airlines (either due to travel restrictions or capacity reductions), American said it will send affected passengers an email, and they can either rebook the trip or request a refund for the remaining ticket value and any optional fees.

United Airlines: For a flight booked with United between March 3 and April 30, 2020, you can change it for free—one time—for travel that takes place within the next year. Any flights booked prior to March 3 (regardless of whether they are domestic or international) with original travel dates through May 31, 2020, can be canceled and rebooked for a flight that takes place within 24 months with no change fees. Flights booked prior to March 3 with original travel between June 1 and December 31, 2020, can be canceled and rebooked within 24 months with no change fees but the change or cancellation must be done by April 30, 2020 .

With regards to requests for refunds for canceled flights, United now has an online form that customers can fill out to see if they qualify for a refund. The airline said it could take up to 21 business days to process each request.

Delta Air Lines: Any Delta ticket for domestic or international travel through the end of September can be canceled and rebooked without a fee for travel that takes place up until September 30, 2022. Flights purchased between March 1 and May 31, 2020, can be changed without a fee for travel up to a year from the date of purchase. For flights canceled by Delta, the airline said that passengers will either be issued a future flight credit for the value of the ticket or they can  request a refund .

JetBlue: Customers who were due to travel with JetBlue through January 4, 2021, on any flight that is booked by May 31, 2020, can cancel and bank the funds to use for travel up to 24 months from the date the flight credit was issued.

Southwest Airlines: Southwest’s standard refund policies hold, with a few coronavirus-related adjustments. The carrier has tier fares that include refunds (Business Select and Anytime) and a tier fare (Wanna Get Away) that doesn’t include refunds. Those remain the same. But regardless of the type of ticket purchased, it can be canceled sans fee for a future travel credit for up to a year from the original date of purchase. However, if you had travel funds that were set to expire between March 1 and June 30, 2020, those will now expire on June 30, 2021; travel credits from flights canceled for travel that was originally scheduled to take place between March 1 and June 30, 2020, will expire on June 30, 2021.

Alaska Airlines: Alaska flights purchased on or before February 26, 2020, for travel that was originally scheduled to take place March 9 through December 31, 2020, can be canceled, the money set aside in an Alaska account, and the flight rescheduled for anytime up to one year from the original travel date. Any tickets purchased between February 27 and May 31, 2020, for travel anytime through April 30, 2021, can also be changed with no fee for travel up to one year from the original travel date.

British Airways: The U.K. carrier is allowing customers who have booked or who book new flights between March 3 and May 31, 2020, to change those flights for free—and any existing bookings for departures through May 31, 2020, can be changed without a fee as well. Those who would prefer a refund have been asked to call the airline.

Air France: The French airline is offering a travel voucher for flights that were scheduled to depart through July 2, 2020, which will be valid for one year on any Air France, KLM, Delta Air Lines, and Virgin Atlantic flights.

How are Expedia, Priceline, and other online agencies handling coronavirus refunds?

Online travel agencies such as Expedia, Travelocity, Orbitz, and Priceline serve as “middlemen” between travelers and travel suppliers. They have different working relationships with all the suppliers on their sites, which can complicate things a bit.

For instance, Expedia , Orbitz, and Travelocity can help change or cancel reservations for some of the air carriers they sell tickets for, but not all of them. For the ones with which they lack that ability, customers will have to work directly with the airline. But the bottom line is: The airline’s policy will be the policy that customers of Expedia, Orbitz, and Travelocity will have to work with.

Priceline advises its customers that “if your airline does not allow you to cancel or change your flight, we are not able to help you at this time.” The travel booking site offers a very comprehensive contact list, including websites and phone numbers, for all its partner airlines.

On the hotels front, Expedia, Travelocity, and Orbitz are allowing customers to cancel with no penalty all hotel stays through May 31, 2020, that were booked prior to March 19, 2020. For hotel stays after May 31, 2020, Expedia advises customers to check back with the site closer to the departure date.

Coronavirus refunds for hotels and vacation rentals

Hotels have always been pretty flexible when it comes to changing and canceling reservations, but in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, they are being even more so.

Marriott International: Marriott is allowing all guests at all of its more than 7,300 properties around the world with existing reservations, for any upcoming stay regardless of the date and regardless of whether the original rate had some restrictions, to change or cancel without a charge up to 24 hours prior to arrival—here’s the key thing to note— as long as the change or cancellation is made by June 30, 2020 . For those who make new reservations now through June 30, 2020, they will be allowed to change or cancel at no charge up to 24 hours before arrival, regardless of the date of stay.

Hilton: For guests who have booked stays that were scheduled to begin on or before June 30, 2020, at any of Hilton’s more than 6,100 global properties, the change fee is being waived and the company is offering full refunds for all cancellations (including on reservations described as “non-cancellable”) up to 24 hours before arrival. New reservations booked between now and June 30, 2020, for any future arrival date, can be changed or canceled at no charge up to 24 hours before arrival.

Accor: The 5,000-hotel Accor hasn’t offered much detail on its coronavirus-related change and cancellation policies other than to say that it has advised all of its hotels to adopt flexible change and cancellation conditions for travelers with new or existing bookings through April 30, 2020.

Intercontinental Hotel Group: IHG has waived cancellation fees for existing bookings that were made by April 6, 2020, at all of its hotels the world over for stays through June 30, 2020. It is handling groups and meeting bookings on a case-by-case basis. The company has also developed some new rates and booking options for future travel such as its “book now, pay later” rate, which doesn’t require a deposit and can be canceled up to 24 hours before your stay for bookings made up to September 3, 2020, for travel until December 30, 2020.

Airbnb: Vacation rental powerhouse Airbnb recently issued an updated global change and cancellation policy. Reservations for stays and experiences made on or before March 14, 2020, with a check-in date between March 14, 2020, and May 31, 2020, can be canceled for a full refund by guests, and hosts can cancel without a charge or impact to their Superhost status (and Airbnb will refund all service fees). Reservations made on or before March 14 with a check-in date after May 31, 2020, as well as any reservations made after March 14, 2020, will not be covered unless the guest or host has contracted COVID-19. Otherwise, the host’s standard cancellation policy will apply.

What are tour operators’ policies for coronavirus changes and refunds?

Given the global health crisis that the coronavirus pandemic presents, most reputable tour operators have gone ahead and proactively canceled a good portion of their upcoming itineraries (similar to what the cruise lines did—see below). Here are some examples.

Tauck: Long-time tour provider Tauck has canceled its scheduled tours and cruises through June 30, 2020—and for those tours it will refund the affected guests. For tours that were scheduled to take place between July 1 and July 31, 2020, guests can cancel and receive a future travel credit for any tour in 2020 or 2021 (but airline change fees will not be covered). Standard change policies remain in place for tours scheduled to take place August 1, 2020, and beyond.

Abercrombie & Kent: Luxury tour operator Abercrombie & Kent has temporarily suspended ground operations globally from March 17 to May 31, 2020. A&K is offering guests on those journeys a future tour credit (that will include a 10 percent discount) for any trip for travel that takes place up to December 31, 2021.

Intrepid Travel: Global tour company Intrepid Travel has also suspended its tours through September 30, 2020. For those tours, travelers will receive a 110 percent future tour credit that they can apply toward any itinerary up until September 30, 2022. For tours departing October 1, 2020, and beyond, Intrepid said they are continuing as planned at this point, but that if customers choose to cancel, they can do so and receive a credit for whatever they had paid to be used for travel that takes place by September 30, 2022.

Collette: Family-owned tour operator Collette has canceled all its tours through June 30, 2020, and all affected guests are being offered either a future travel credit or the generous option to receive a refund.

What about cruises?

On March 14, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a 30-day “ No Sail Order” for all cruise ships to prevent the spread of COVID-19. As of April 15, 2020, the CDC extended that order, and cruise ship operations (in waters subject to U.S. jurisdiction) have been suspended until July 24, 2020, or until the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services declares that coronavirus no longer constitutes a public health emergency, or until and unless the CDC Director rescinds or modifies the order.

Affected customers are being offered anywhere between a 100 percent and 200 percent future cruise credit by the cruise lines.

How travel advisors can help

During a complicated and overwhelming global crisis such as the coronavirus pandemic, a travel advisor can serve as a great ally. While travel advisors can’t force travel suppliers to refund their clients, they typically have stronger relationships with suppliers and thus more sway. They will be better able to help you navigate through the options for changing your trip plans. And as travel professionals (who likely have dealt with numerous crises in the past), they can offer their advice based on their myriad of contacts in the industry and from their own personal experience.

They will also have greater insights into the kinds of trustworthy and reliable travel companies you will want to book your future travel with as we navigate this ever-changing pandemic landscape.

Can travel insurance help you get a refund?

With regard to the current coronavirus crisis, travel insurance providers consider it to be a known event as of January 21, 2020 (or thereabouts, the date can change slightly depending on the provider, but usually falls sometime between January 21 and January 27, 2020). Travel insurance purchased before that date will cover disruptions resulting from the outbreak, but any travel insurance purchased after that date will not.

An exception to that is Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) coverage , an optional upgrade to a travel insurance policy that covers cancellations for reasons not otherwise covered by a standard travel insurance “such as fear of traveling due to coronavirus or simply not wanting to travel to a country that may be affected,” according to Megan Moncrief, chief marketing officer for travel insurance search and review site Squaremouth.

There are some limitations, however. The CFAR upgrade has to be purchased within 14 to 21 days of making the initial trip deposit and it will reimburse travelers for up to 75 percent of their trip cost—for a price. Cancel for Any Reason coverage typically costs between 5 and 10 percent of the total trip cost.

This story originally appeared on February 24, 2020, and has been updated to reflect current information.

>> Next: How Cancel for Any Reason Travel Insurance Can (and Can’t) Help You

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Delays and Cancellations: Know Your Rights

By Christine Chung

Flight delays and cancellations are unfortunate inevitabilities, especially in summer, when more people are flying and severe weather tends to occur more frequently.

How can you get your trip back on track when things go frustratingly wrong? Start by reading the fine print before booking, understanding what’s owed to you and being proactive at the airport in asking for what you want. Here’s how to do it.

Prep before you go

Download your airline’s app, which often shows an aircraft’s location and also posts timely updates on a flight’s status or gate changes. Updates may appear here before anywhere else.

The day of your flight, you can also scan FlightAware , a flight-tracking service accessible by app and website , to get a sense of delays and cancellations across major airports. Keep an eye on the weather, too.

It can help to know what airlines your carrier partners with, in case you need to be rebooked on another airline. In addition to partnerships like code shares, when an airline operates a flight on behalf of another, or alliances, most airlines also have relationships known as interline agreements that allow them to transfer passengers to flights on other carriers.

This information isn’t always readily available online; experts suggest calling an airline’s customer service for more guidance.

Be aware that if you have a ticket with a low-cost airline, like Frontier Airlines, Southwest Airlines or Spirit Airlines, you are most likely out of luck: They generally do not rebook on any other carrier.

Go deeper than the dashboard

The Transportation Department’s airline cancellation and delay dashboard is a helpful resource that spells out what 10 of the larger domestic airlines offer passengers. But this dashboard is not your only tool. Customer-service plans for specific airlines (located on their websites, and with links from the D.O.T. dashboard) have further detail about passenger entitlements.

For example, if your United Airlines flight is canceled because of reasons within the carrier’s control, such as understaffing, and you are rerouted to a flight that departs the next day, you are entitled to a voucher for food, a nearby partner hotel and transportation . If a room is not available at the airline’s hotel, and you must find another accommodation, United will reimburse you for “reasonable hotel costs.” There’s nothing on the United customer-service site indicating that food receipts or taxi receipts will be reimbursed.

If a delay or cancellation is the airline’s fault, most major carriers can also rebook you on another airline. A few have this ability regardless of what led to the disruption.

In most instances, American Airlines will rebook you on another airline if there are no American flights until the next day. Delta Air Lines also commits to organizing flights on alternative airlines if necessary, though it is not clear under what circumstances it will do this.

Strategize your ask

In the United States, if your flight is canceled, for whatever reason, all airlines must either rebook you on another flight or give you a prompt refund, even if you have a nonrefundable ticket, according to the Transportation Department .

When a delay or cancellation is caused by the airline, passengers — in most cases — are entitled to a handful of services after wait times have exceeded three hours. Major carriers will provide meals or meal vouchers. And if travelers are forced to stay overnight, most airlines will cover the costs of a hotel stay and associated transport.

But getting what you’re entitled to can be a challenge when hundreds of passengers are lined up and waits for a customer service rep on the phone can stretch to hours. That’s where being strategic can make a difference.

Mary Cropper, a travel specialist at Audley Travel , advised against asking for help at the gate, where many other passengers will be, too. Instead, seek out an airline’s service desk. Airport lounges, some of which are accessible by day pass, may also be a swifter avenue to assistance, she said.

When you do reach the customer service rep, be prepared with the specific request for the outcome you want, whether it’s being rebooked on a certain flight or a flight on a partner airline, or departing from a different airport from the one you might be stranded in. Don’t just ask what your options are.

“If an alternate flight arrangement does not get you where you need to be or when you need to be there, ask for something better,” said James Ferrara, the founder of InteleTravel , a global travel adviser network. And mention if you’re a frequent flier or have an inflexible commitment like a wedding or a work conference, he added.

Experts said passengers can also take matters into their own hands, whether that’s booking a hotel or a new flight, and submitting receipts later for reimbursement with an airline’s customer relations team. However, there is some risk that an airline won’t foot the bill, said Bobby Laurie , a travel expert and former flight attendant.

“You also have to be 100 percent sure you are in the right and are owed the reimbursement,” he said. “Armed with information, you make the best advocate for yourself. But you really, really, have to read the fine print.”

Understand that rights may differ with international flights

In the European Union , flight cancellations or long delays may give passengers the right to either a refund or a replacement flight. There may also be compensation of up to 600 euros, around $660, based on factors such as how long you waited, how much notice you were given about a schedule change, the flight’s distance, and the cause of the delay or cancellation.

The rule covers all passengers , regardless of nationality, and outbound flights from and within the European Union, including on U.S. carriers. On flights into E.U. countries, it applies only to E.U. carriers.

AirHelp, a Berlin-based flight compensation company, has a comprehensive guide outlining passenger rights in many countries.

Know you might be out of luck if the weather turns

Any compensation or help offered by the airlines hinges on whether the reason for the cancellation lies within a carrier’s control, such as staffing or maintenance issues. Air traffic control woes and the weather are not. Weather is the leading cause of delays this year to date, and “creeping delays” are the bane of every air traveler.

It may feel unfair, but “if your flight is canceled because of a thunderstorm,” said Scott Keyes, the founder of Going.com , a website that sends alerts for travel deals, “don’t expect the airline to cover your meals or accommodations.”

Christine Chung is a travel reporter for The Times. She previously covered breaking news. She joined The Times in November 2021. More about Christine Chung

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Airline Cancellation Policies Due to Coronavirus (COVID-19) – Everything You Need to Know

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As the whole world deals with the ongoing coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) pandemic, you may wonder what to do about your upcoming flights.

While travel isn’t effectively off-limits as it was in 2020, border restrictions are constantly changing along with the state of the pandemic, and thus you may need to cancel or change a flight. The good news is that many airlines offer flexible policies that allow you to make the changes you need without any fees.

This post outlines the COVID-19 change and cancellation policies for many major airlines. For each airline, we’ve included a direct link to its specific policy, if there is one, so you can stay up to date on any changes.

Airline COVID-19 Cancellation Policies

All reservations can be changed as much as needed through January 31, 2022. After that date, reservations can be changed once without a fee.

If you need to cancel your flight, the full value of your ticket can be transferred to an Air Canada Travel Voucher that doesn’t have an expiration date, or you can opt for Aeroplan points with a 65% bonus.

If you booked directly with Air Canada or through Kayak, Skyscanner, or Google Flights, you’ll be able to cancel online in the My Bookings section of the website. If you booked through a different online travel agent, contact them for assistance.

To change or cancel an award flight, go to your online Aeroplan account .

To read Air Canada’s full policy regarding COVID-19, click here .

You can change any Air France flight without a fee.

If you’d prefer a refund, you can request one any time before your departure for any flight purchased before February 1, 2022, and scheduled on or before June 30, 2022. If your ticket is marked as “non-refundable,” you’ll receive a travel voucher valid for 1 year. This voucher can then be redeemed any time during that year.

If you booked directly with Air France, fill out this form online. You’ll receive a travel voucher valid for 1 year on all Air France, KLM, Delta, Virgin Atlantic, and Kenya Airways flights. If you booked with a travel agent and would like to cancel your flight, contact the agent directly.

To read Air France’s full policy regarding COVID-19, click here .

For tickets purchased by April 30, 2021, for travel by March 31, 2022, the Peace of Mind waivers will apply. This means change and cancellation fees will be waived. If you want to make a change, your new flight needs to be completed within 1 year. If you choose to cancel your Alaska Airlines flight , your funds will be held as a credit that can be used towards a new flight. Saver fares can’t be changed — they can only be canceled for future travel credit.

As of May 1, 2021, all change fees have been eliminated for main cabin and first class tickets.

To read Alaska Airlines’ full policy regarding COVID-19, click here .

As of May 1, 2021, all Allegiant flights can be canceled or changed with a reduced fee of $25 per person per segment.

Changes or cancellations can be made from the Manage Travel section of the website.

To read Allegiant’s full policy regarding COVID-19, click here .

Tickets purchased by March 31, 2021, including basic economy and award tickets, can be changed once without a fee.

In addition, American has eliminated all change fees for first, business, premium economy, and main cabin seats (except basic economy ) on domestic or short-haul international flights issued on or after August 31, 2020. Short-haul international flights are those between the U.S. and Canada, the Caribbean, Central America, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Fees are also waived for all long-haul international flights that originate in North or South America in first, business, premium economy, and main cabin seats (except basic economy) issued on or after November 19, 2020.

If you booked through American Airlines, you can cancel your trip online. If you booked through a travel agent, contact your agent. .

All pre-COVID-19 cancellation policies are back in place.

To change or cancel your flight, click here .

To read British Airways’ full policy regarding COVID-19, click here .

Hot Tip: If you’ve got hotel reservations, take a peek at our guide to hotel cancellation policies due to COVID-19 .

All tickets purchased between March 23, 2020, and March 31, 2022, can be changed without a fee prior to March 31, 2022, for travel by March 31, 2023.

If you booked directly, you can make changes to your reservation online . If you booked with a travel agent, contact the agent to adjust your reservation.

To read Cathay Pacific’s full policy regarding COVID-19, click here .

All tickets purchased between March 1, 2020, and March 31, 2021, can be changed without a fee for up to 1 year from the date of purchase.

In addition, all change fees and award redeposit fees are permanently waived for travel originating in North America on tickets purchased after April 30, 2021 (excluding basic economy fares ).

If you choose to cancel your flight, you’ll get the value you paid as a voucher to put toward future travel.

To change or cancel an upcoming Delta flight, visit the My Trips section on its website.

To read Delta’s full policy regarding COVID-19, click here .

Tickets issued after April 1, 2021, for travel on or before May 31, 2022, can be changed without a fee and are valid for an additional 24 months from the original travel dates. You can also request a refund without a fee.

If you booked through Emirates, use this form to request a travel voucher. If you booked through a travel agent, contact the booking agent.

To read Emirates’ full policy regarding COVID-19, click here .

Hot Tip: Curious about travel insurance? Educate yourself on the basics of travel insurance and whether or not insurance will cover COVID-19 related claims .

You can change or cancel your Etihad flight online , though you may incur a fee depending on the conditions of your ticket. However, most fares can be changed without a fee if you rebook by May 31, 2022.

You can also request a refund in situations where your flight has been canceled or you test positive for COVID-19.

To read Etihad’s full policy regarding COVID-19, click here .

Any flight can be changed or canceled without a fee 60 or more days prior to departure. If you make a change 7 to 59 days prior to departure, the change fee is $49. Any changes made 6 days or less before departure will incur a $79 fee.

Visit the My Trips section of the website to make adjustments to your reservations.

To read Frontier’s full policy regarding COVID-19, click here .

You can change or cancel any JetBlue flight booked on or before May 31, 2021, without a fee. You can rebook your trip within 1 year in the Manage Trips section of your online account (a fare difference may apply).

As of June 1, 2021, there are no change or cancellation fees for Blue, Blue Plus, and Mint fares, but there is a $75 charge for same-day confirmed changes. Blue Extra fares can be changed or canceled (including same-day confirmed changes) without a fee.

Change fees are also waived for Blue Basic bookings made between August 25, 2021, and October 31, 2021, and all flights scheduled to depart between December 28, 2021, and January 31, 2022.

If you cancel your flight , you’ll receive a JetBlue Travel Bank Credit valid for 12 months.

To read JetBlue’s full policy regarding COVID-19, click here .

Flights that depart after January 1, 2022, can be changed without a fee or you can request a refund in the form of a travel voucher, but refunds aren’t available for flights scheduled to depart after June 30, 2022.

Changes can be made online in the My Trips section of the website.

To read KLM’s full policy regarding COVID-19, click here .

You can change your travel dates without a fee on many flights. Refer to your specific fare conditions for details about your flight.

To read Lufthansa’s full policy regarding COVID-19, click here .

You can change your travel dates without a fee for the following Qantas-operated flights:

• Domestic Australian flights purchased between May 21, 2020, and April 30, 2022, for travel between June 12, 2020, and April 30, 2022
• Trans-Tasman flights booked between October 15, 2020, and June 30, 2022, for travel between October 16, 2020, and December 31, 2022
• International flights purchased between February 25, 2021, and June 30, 2022, for travel between November 1, 2021, and December 31, 2022

Finally, Classic Flight Rewards (using Qantas points) made before April 30, 2022, for Australian domestic flights can be changed or canceled without a fee through April 30, 2023. Classic Flight Rewards for Trans-Tasman or international flights booked by June 30, 2022, can be changed or canceled without a fee through December 31, 2022.

To change or cancel a Qantas flight, use the My Booking section of your online account.

To read Qantas’ full policy regarding COVID-19, click here .

All flights through September 30, 2022, can be changed or canceled at no cost. You can also request a refund for the amount you originally paid.

To change or cancel your Qatar Airways flight, click here .

If you booked through a travel agent, contact the booking agent to arrange changes to your ticket.

To read Qatar’s full policy regarding COVID-19, click here .

You can cancel your Southwest flight up to 10 minutes before departure. If you purchased a Wanna Get Away fare, you’ll receive travel funds for the amount you paid that can be used for a new flight. Business Select and Anytime fares are fully refundable.

As of September 8, 2020, any travel funds created from a Wanna Get Away fare can be used for up to 1 year from the purchase date.

You can change your Southwest flight here .

To read Southwest’s full policy regarding COVID-19, click here .

Hot Tip: Have a cruise coming up? You’ll find all the information you need in our guide to cruise cancellations due to COVID-19 .

Flight changes can be made without fees 60 or more days in advance. Changes made 7 to 59 days before departure will incur a $49 fee, 3 to 6 days prior incur a $79 fee, and 0 to 2 days from departure incur a $99 fee.

To change or cancel your reservation, click here .

To read Spirit’s full policy regarding COVID-19, click here .

United has permanently removed change fees for economy (excluding Basic Economy), Economy Plus, first, business, and Premium Plus seats on the following types of flights:

• Flights within the U.S. (including Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands)
• Flights between the U.S. and Mexico or the Caribbean
• International flights originating in the U.S.

Change fees will also be waived on all other standard economy and premium cabin tickets through January 31, 2022.

You can change your flight online in the My Trips section of the website.

To request a refund, go to united.com/refunds .

To read United’s full policy regarding COVID-19, click here .

For bookings made for travel through April 30, 2022, change fees (unlimited date changes and 1 name change) will be waived. Your new travel dates must be on or before April 30, 2023.

To change or cancel a flight that was booked directly with Virgin Atlantic, use this form . If you booked through a travel agent, contact the agent directly.

To read Virgin Atlantic’s full policy regarding COVID-19, click here .

The ongoing pandemic has changed everyone’s life and challenged the travel industry in ways no one could have expected. However, there’s a silver lining in that airlines are being more flexible than any time before in recent memory. Most recognize they need to be more flexible than ever before and are now allowing ticket changes and cancellations without fees.

If you decide to cancel or postpone a flight, be sure to read through your airline’s policy so you know when you’ll need to reschedule your flight or use your travel credit, as these can be different for each carrier.

Having to cancel an upcoming flight is never fun, but airline flexibility can take some of the sting off of changing your travel plans.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can i cancel or change my flight due to covid-19.

Yes, many major airlines are offering waivers so you can change or cancel your upcoming flight without fees. Each airline has its own policy, so be sure to check to make sure your flight falls within the timeframe for waived fees.

How can I cancel my upcoming flight?

If you booked your flight directly with the airline, you’ll be able to cancel online in most cases. If you booked your flight with a travel agent or an online travel agency, you’ll need to contact the booking agent to cancel.

Can I cancel or change my Spirit ticket?

Spirit flight changes can be made without fees 60 or more days in advance. Changes made 7 to 59 days before departure will incur a $49 fee, 3 to 6 days prior a $79 fee, and 0 to 2 days from departure a $99 fee.

Can I cancel or change my JetBlue ticket?

If you choose to cancel your flight , you’ll receive a JetBlue Travel Bank Credit valid for 12 months.

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About Katie Seemann

Katie has been in the points and miles game since 2015 and started her own blog in 2016. She’s been freelance writing since then and her work has been featured in publications like Travel + Leisure, Forbes Advisor, and Fortune Recommends.

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Cancel or Refund Your Flight

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• Cancel A Non-Refundable Ticket , Go to footer note
• Cancel a Refundable Ticket , Go to footer note
• Request a Refund or Reimbursement , Go to footer note
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Cancel a Non-Refundable Ticket

How to cancel a non-refundable ticket.

• Ensure you cancel your ticket prior to departure (Tickets not changed or canceled prior to departure will have no remaining value)
• Find Your Trip or Log In and go to My Trips
• Select the trip you need to cancel
• Select the ‘Need to Cancel?’ button
• Select ‘Start Flight Cancellation’ and follow the steps

No Cancellation Fee

Cancellation fees are not applicable for the following tickets:

• Delta Main Cabin and above tickets for travel within the U.S., Puerto Rico and USVI
• Delta Main Cabin and above tickets for travel originating from the United States, Canada or the Caribbean to anywhere in the world (including flights operated by joint venture and codeshare partners)
• Basic Economy tickets are excluded

Cancellation Fees

If your ticket is not included in the No Cancellation Fees policy above (for example, Basic Economy tickets or tickets originating in Central or South America), then cancellation fees apply and start at $99 depending on your itinerary (subject to change – the applicable fee is listed in the Fare Rules for your ticket), and you will receive the remaining value of your ticket (after deduction of the cancellation fee) as an eCredit.* The expiration date of your eCredit will depend on the terms of your original ticket and any applicable waivers.

*For tickets issued for travel originating in Korea, tickets will be refunded to the original form of payment after deducting the cancellation fee. Check your ticket along with the Baggage & Travel Fees page to view any fees that may apply to your Basic Economy ticket depending on your origin city and destination. An eCredit will not be issued if the cancellation fee exceeds the ticket value.

Cancel a Refundable Ticket

How to cancel a refundable ticket.

• Ensure you cancel your ticket prior to departure
• Select the flight you need to cancel
• Click on the ‘Need to Cancel?' button

Apply for a Refund for a Refundable Ticket

Visit My Trips to request a refund for an upcoming trip. Your ticket must be a refundable ticket, purchased with a credit card, cash or check. Your refund will be issued to your original payment method.

Cancel Your Trip Protection Plan

For a full refund of your premium, you must cancel within 15 days of your plan purchase (or as determined by your state of residence) and must not have filed a claim or departed on your trip. Premiums are non-refundable after this period.

Check Your Refund Status

If you’ve already submitted a refund request for an upcoming trip, you may check to see the status of your refund request.

Request a Refund or Reimbursement

If there is a flight cancellation or significant delay (>120 minutes), you will be rebooked on an alternative flight, or your ticket will be converted to an eCredit for future travel. However, in some instances, you may be eligible to request a refund* of any unused portion of your non-refundable ticket or for unused trip purchases if you choose not to travel. Please note that most tickets are nonrefundable and not all amenities are refundable; see their individual terms for details. Once submitted, we will do our best to process your request in a timely manner and update you on your refund eligibility.

If we have already canceled your flight, and you would like to request a refund to your original form of payment, please complete the Travel Disruption Refund Request form :

• If we have rebooked you on a new flight or your original flight was significantly delayed (>120 minutes) and you would like to cancel and request a refund, please do so within My Trips

Please note that we are unable to issue refunds for the following:

• Non-refundable tickets that have not experienced a flight cancellation or significant delay (> 120 minutes)
• Tickets purchased from third-party travel sites or agencies (please contact the agency first)
• Tickets already used for travel

Already submitted a refund request and would like to check the status of your case?

Check Refund Case Status

Reimbursements

If you incurred hotel, transportation and/or meal expenses due to a significant delay or cancellation that was within our control, please submit a reimbursement request.* Once submitted, we will review your request, determine eligibility and update you on the status.

Please note that we are unable to reimburse the following:

• Air traffic control delays
• Weather delays
• Prepaid expenses
• Hotel expenses for stays outside of the city of disruption
• Delayed baggage expenses
• Alternative transportation to your final destination
• Ticket costs for missed connections on other airlines
• Child or pet care
• Delta Sky Club® or other lounge fees

Request Reimbursement

Already submitted a reimbursement request and would like to check the status of your case?

Check Reimbursement Case Status

*Eligibility for refund and reimbursement requests through the Refund or Reimbursement Request form are limited to residents of the U.S. and Canada only, for flight disruptions caused by factors within Delta’s control. For residents of countries other than the U.S. and Canada, or for flights departing from an airport within the European Union, please submit requests through our Comment and Complaint form .

24-Hour Risk-Free Cancellation

24-hour risk-free cancellation process.

• Click the ‘Need to Cancel?' button
• Receive a full refund, which will be automatically issued to your original form of payment

Delta will process the refund of your ticket when canceled within 24 hours of purchase, however, some banks or credit card issuers may initiate a hold of funds on your credit or debit card. We encourage you to contact your card issuer for their specific policies.

Cancellation request must be made by midnight of the day after the eTicket is purchased or midnight of the departure date of the first flight, whichever comes first. Cancellation request must be made before travel commences for the first flight. Available only for eTickets purchased at the time of reservation through Delta ticket offices and airport ticket counters, Reservation Sales, or at delta.com.

If you wish to pay for your ticket with cash, you may make the reservation over the phone, which will guarantee the fare for 24 hours. Your ticket must be purchased at a Delta ticketing location by midnight of the following day, or your reservation will be canceled. Once purchased, these tickets will not be eligible for cancellation under the Risk-Free Cancellation policy.

Does not apply to travel agency tickets and bookings, paper tickets, or partially-flown reissued tickets. For SkyMiles Award Tickets, please call Delta Reservations to request cancellation.

For tickets purchased with Miles + Cash option, miles will be re-deposited, and cash will be returned in equivalent miles.

Miscellaneous: Cancellation request does not need to go through the same area in which the eTicket was purchased. For example, if you purchase via Reservations, you can cancel through delta.com.

Fares, offers and rules are subject to change without notice.

No Show Policy

Frequently asked questions.

• Credit/debit card purchases are typically processed within 7 business days and may take up to 2 billing cycles to appear on your statement
• Cash or check purchases are typically processed within 20 business days and will be refunded in the form of a check to the person named as the customer on the ticket

In some cases, you may be eligible for an eCredit instead of a refund depending on the extent of your delay. eCredits will automatically be added to your SkyMiles account and can be redeemed for a future Delta flight using your ticket number.

Note: International refunds may take longer due to local banking procedures.

You can check the refund status  online or if you have questions about the amount refunded you can call:

• 800-847-0578 within the U.S. and Canada
• 404-715-5417 within Atlanta, Georgia or outside of the U.S. and Canada

To request a refund for a refundable or unrestricted eTicket purchased with a credit card, call Delta Reservation Sales at 800-847-0578 within the U.S. or Canada. For all other countries, see worldwide reservations numbers to locate a number in your area.

You can submit your unused flight coupons/paper tickets by mail to the Delta Passenger Refunds Department at the following addresses:

Via U.S. Postal Service Delta Air Lines, Inc. Passenger Refunds P.O. Box 20537 Atlanta, GA 30320-2537

Via Courier Service Delta Air Lines, Inc. Passenger Refunds, 4th Floor 700 South Central Avenue Hapeville, GA 30354

Even if your ticket is not refundable, you might still be able to cancel your itinerary. You have one year from the ticket's original issue date to use the ticket, subject to any applicable waivers that may extend this expiration date reschedule your travel without losing the full value of the ticket (less any applicable change fees).

• For domestic travel, tickets must be reissued and travel completed within one year of the original ticket date, subject to any applicable waivers that may extend this expiration date.
• For international travel, tickets must be reissued to the same or another international destination, and travel must begin within one year of the original ticket date, subject to any applicable waivers that may extend this expiration date.

Exception: The death of the passenger, immediate family member, or traveling companion. In this case, you will be required to forward a copy of the death certificate to the Passenger Refunds Department mailing address.

Note: Customers who purchase Basic Economy (E booking class) will not be able to change or refund their ticket after the Risk-Free Cancellation period.

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An update on our Major Disruptive Events Policy

As part of our ongoing efforts to support travelers, we are introducing updates to our Extenuating Circumstances Policy, including renaming it to the Major Disruptive Events Policy to better reflect its purpose.

This policy provides cancellation and refund support for our guests when unexpected major events like natural disasters, government travel restrictions or weather events impact their ability to stay at a location. When the policy is in effect, it does two things: first, it overrides the Host’s booking cancellation policy and enables guests to cancel eligible upcoming and active reservations at the impacted location for a refund; and second, it also allows Hosts to cancel reservations without fees and other related consequences.

Now, the policy will explicitly apply to foreseeable weather events , like a hurricane during hurricane season, that result in another covered event happening, like a government travel restriction or large-scale outage of essential utilities. This means guests with eligible reservations can cancel and receive a refund and Hosts can cancel without fees and related consequences.

As an example, if a hurricane were to impact Florida during hurricane season and this led to a mandatory evacuation order, under the old policy affected bookings for this destination would not be eligible for a refund. With this update, in these same circumstances, guests with affected bookings do qualify for a refund.

“The changes to this policy, including its new name, were made to create clarity for our guests and Hosts and ensure it’s meeting the diverse needs of our global community. Our aim was to clearly explain when the policy applies to a reservation, and to deliver fair and consistent outcomes for our users. These updates also bring the policy in line with industry standards.” Juniper Downs, Airbnb’s Head of Community Policy

Other updates to this policy include:

• Limiting coverage to large-scale events at the destination location only to help balance the needs of our entire community. This means that the policy will only apply for reservations where a major disruptive event has impacted the location of the listing. 
• Making clear that mid-trip cancellations can be made due to a covered event, with guests receiving a refund for any nights they didn’t stay and without fees and related consequences for Hosts.
• Reminding Hosts that they’re obligated to cancel reservations if their listing is uninhabitable or no longer consistent with what was originally booked by their guest, and that they are able to do this without cancellation fees and related consequences.

As this cancellation and refund policy is not designed to apply to all types of unexpected issues and emergencies that can impact a trip,  guests should consider purchasing travel insurance. 

These policy updates come into effect for all reservations taking place on or after June 6, 2024. 1 Full details of our Major Disruptive Events Policy can be found here .

Watch CBS News

Biden is canceling $7.4 billion in student debt for 277,000 borrowers. Here's who is eligible.

By Aimee Picchi

Edited By Alain Sherter

Updated on: April 12, 2024 / 3:29 PM EDT / CBS News

The Biden administration on Friday said it's canceling $7.4 billion in student debt for 277,000 borrowers, with the recipients scheduled to receive emails today to alert them to their loan discharges. 

The latest effort extends the debt relief provider under President Joe Biden after the Supreme Court last year blocked  his administration's plan for broad-based student loan forgiveness. With the latest batch of loan cancellations, the White House said it has forgiven about $153 billion in debt for 4.3 million student borrowers. 

Biden, who had made student loan relief a major campaign pledge, is tackling an issue that affects about 43 million Americans with a combined  $1.7 trillion in student debt. It's a burden that some borrowers and their advocates say has harmed their ability to save for a home or achieve financial milestones, an issue that was echoed by Education Secretary Miguel Cardona in a conference call with reporters. 

"I talked to a teacher in New York this week who took out a loan for $30,000," Cardona said Friday, "and after over a decade of paying and being a teacher the debt was $60,000, and she was saying that the interest was so high that the payments that she was making wasn't even touching her principal."

He added, "We are fixing a broken system. We're relentless and taking steps to transform a broken system into one that works people across the country."

Here's what to know about who is eligible for the latest round of forgiveness.

Who qualifies for the student loan forgiveness?

Three groups of people qualify under the latest round of debt relief, the White House said. 

• $3.6 billion for 206,800 borrowers enrolled in the SAVE plan.

About $3.6 billion will be forgiven for nearly 207,000 borrowers enrolled in the Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) plan, an income-driven repayment program, or IDR, that the Biden administration created last year. 

The White House said borrowers who are getting their debt discharged under SAVE had taken out smaller loans for their college studies. The plan allows people to receive forgiveness after they made at least 10 years of payments if they originally took out $12,000 or less in loans to pay for college; borrowers with larger loans are eligible after 20 or 25 years of repayment, depending on what types of loans they have. 

 "You sacrifice and you've saved for a decade or more to make your student loan payments, and you originally borrowed $12,000 or less, you're going to see relief," Cardona told reporters. "An overwhelming number of those who qualify for SAVE were eligible for Pell grants and come from low- and middle-income communities."

• $3.5 billion for 65,700 borrowers in income-repayment plans.

These borrowers will receive forgiveness through "administrative adjustments" to repayment plans where loan servicers had made it tougher for some borrowers to qualify for relief.  

"These are people who paid for a long time but were being deprived of relief because of administrative and servicing failures," Cardona said. "These people met the contract of their loan" and will receive forgiveness.

• $300 million for 4,600 borrowers through Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF).  

The PSLF program is designed to help public servants like teachers and government employees achieve debt forgiveness after 10 years of repayment. It's a program that started in 2007 but had been plagued with complex rules that effectively hampered people from getting their debt discharged, with only 7,000 receiving loan forgiveness prior to the Biden administration. 

With the latest round of discharges, the Biden administration has forgiven $62.8 billion in loans for 876,000 borrowers through PSLF. 

Are there legal challenges to Biden's debt forgiveness plans?

In two separate lawsuits, Republican attorneys general in 18 states are pushing to have the SAVE plan tossed and to halt any further student debt cancellation. They say the SAVE plan oversteps Biden's authority and makes it harder for states to recruit employees. They also contend the plan undermines a separate cancellation program that encourages careers in public service.

It's unclear what the suits could mean for loans that have already been canceled. A court document filed by Kansas' attorney general says it's "unrealistic to think that any loan forgiveness that occurs during this litigation will ever be clawed back."

—With reporting by the Associated Press.

• Biden Administration
• Student Loan

Aimee Picchi is the associate managing editor for CBS MoneyWatch, where she covers business and personal finance. She previously worked at Bloomberg News and has written for national news outlets including USA Today and Consumer Reports.

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The Latest | Israel says 99% of drones and missiles launched by Iran were intercepted

A demonstrator waves Iranian and Palestinian flags during an anti-Israeli gathering at the Felestin (Palestine) Square in Tehran, Iran, early Sunday, April 14, 2024. Iran launched its first direct military attack against Israel Saturday. The Israeli military says Iran fired more than 100 bomb-carrying drones toward Israel. Hours later, Iran announced it had also launched much more destructive ballistic missiles. Credit: AP/Vahid Salemi

Israel praised the success of its defenses in the face of an unprecedented attack by Iran involving hundreds of drones, ballistic missiles and cruise missiles while tensions ran high over a possible Israeli counter-strike.

An Israeli military spokesman said Sunday the launches numbered more than 300, but 99% of them were intercepted. Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said Iran fired 170 drones, more than 30 cruise missiles and more than 120 ballistic missiles. Several ballistic missiles reached Israeli territory, causing minor damage to an air base.

The Iranian attack on Saturday, less than two weeks after a suspected Israeli strike in Syria that killed two Iranian generals in an Iranian consular building, marked the first time Iran has launched a direct military assault on Israel, despite decades of enmity dating back to the country’s 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Israel and Iran have been on a collision course throughout Israel’s six-month war against Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip. The war erupted after Hamas and Islamic Jihad, two militant groups backed by Iran, carried out a devastating cross-border attack on Oct. 7 that killed 1,200 people in Israel and kidnapped 250 others.

An Israeli offensive in Gaza has caused widespread devastation and killed over 33,000 people, according to local health officials.

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— Iran’s attack on Israel raised fears of a wider war, but all sides in the conflict also scored gains.

An Iranian demonstrator chants slogans while attending an anti-Israeli gathering at the Felestin (Palestine) Square in Tehran, Iran, early Sunday, April 14, 2024. Iran launched its first direct military attack against Israel Saturday. The Israeli military says Iran fired more than 100 bomb-carrying drones toward Israel. Hours later, Iran announced it had also launched much more destructive ballistic missiles. Credit: AP/Vahid Salemi

— US helps Israel shoot down ‘nearly all’ Iran-launched attack drones as Biden vows support.

— President Joe Biden cut short a weekend stay at his Delaware beach house to meet with his national security team and monitor the situation in the Middle East as Iran launched an attack against Israel.

— Israel has a multilayered air-defense system. It faces a big test with the Iranian drone strike.

Here is the latest:

Iranian demonstrators chant slogans during an anti-Israeli gathering in front of the British Embassy in Tehran, Iran, early Sunday, April 14, 2024. Iran launched its first direct military attack against Israel on Saturday. Credit: AP/Vahid Salemi

IRAN SAYS IT NOTIFIED THE US BEFORE ATTACKING ISRAEL

TEHRAN, Iran — Iran’s foreign minister, Hossein Amirabdollahian, in a press conference said his country notified the United States before launching the strike against Israel.

“Early Sunday in a message to the White House we announced that our operation would be limited and minimalistic and aimed at legitimate defense and punishing the Israeli regime," Amirabdollahian said.

Tehran's top diplomat also said the limited Iranian attacks would not target civilians or economic areas: “In our response, we defined no response against civilian targets. Our armed forces targeted no economic or populated areas.”

Amirabdollahian said the strike’s goal was to punish the Israeli regime and it was a legitimate act of defense by Iranian forces: “Our goal in this legitimate act of defense is simply punishing the Israeli regime.”

“We are not after American individuals or bases in the region”, Amirabdollahian said.

YEMEN'S HOUTHI REBELS SAY THE IRANIAN ATTACK WAS LEGITIMATE

CAIRO — The Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen on Sunday said Iran’s unprecedented missile and drone attack on Israel was a “legitimate act” that came in response to an airstrike on Iran’s consulate in Syria that was widely blamed on Israel.

Writing on the messaging app Telegram, Mohamed Abdel Salam, spokesman for the Houthis, said Israel “won’t be able to escape its crimes without punishment.”

The Houthis, who control the Yemeni capital and much of the country’s north, have repeatedly launched attacks on vessels in the Red Sea and surrounding waters over the Israel-Hamas war. They also fired missiles and explosives-laden drones towards Israel.

CYPRUS PRESIDENT SAYS HIS NATION WASN'T INVOLVED IN ANY MILITARY ACTION

NICOSIA, Cyprus — Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides says the east Mediterranean island nation “wasn’t in anyway involved” in any military action to thwart Iran’s unprecedented drone and missile attack against Israel.

Christodoulides told reporters Sunday that aircraft had arrived in Cyprus “from neighboring countries” late Saturday. He said they would depart Sunday.

Asked if the U.K. had informed the Cypriot government ahead of time that any of its warplanes from a British air base on the island would be involved in intercepting the Iranian attack, Christodoulides said there was no forewarning.

The U.K’s two military bases on Cyprus — including the larger air base RAF Akrotiri —- are British sovereign territory and don’t require the Cypriot government’s permission to launch any military action. But normally, the U.K. does brief the Cypriot government of any impending action as a courtesy.

The Cypriot president said his foreign minister spoke with his British counterpart only after the fact.

He added that he’s hoping there’s no further escalation because his government doesn’t believe that “any problems are solved through such aggressive acts.”

LUFTHANSA SUSPENDS SOME MIDEAST FLIGHTS THROUGH MONDAY

German airline Lufthansa said Sunday that it had suspended regular flights to and from Tel Aviv, Amman and Erbil through Monday. It said it plans to serve those destinations again starting Tuesday, but that flights to Beirut and Tehran will remain suspended until at least Thursday.

Lufthansa said it was monitoring and assessing the security situation in the Middle East and was in close contact with authorities.

“The safety of our passengers and crews always has top priority,” it said in an emailed statement.

Lufthansa, Europe’s biggest airline group, announced on Friday that its planes were avoiding Iranian airspace.

UK MOVES ADDITIONAL WARPLANES TO THE MIDEAST

NICOSIA, Cyprus — The British government says it has moved “several additional” fighter jets and refueling tankers to the region, following Iran’s unprecedented drone and missile attack on Israel.

In a statement Sunday, the British government said the air assets will bolster the U.K.’s existing operation against the Islamic State group in Syria and Iraq as well as intercepting “any airborne attacks within the range of our existing missions, as required.”

Asked by The Associated Press whether the additional jets have been transferred to the U.K.’s air base in Cyprus, a spokesperson said a “number of aircraft” have been “temporarily moved” from Romania to bolster our existing footprint in the region. The official didn’t disclose the exact location for “reasons of operational security.”

Israel said Sunday that 99% of more than 300 drones and ballistic and cruise missiles Iran had launched were intercepted.

ZELENSKYY CONDEMNS IRAN'S ATTACK

KYIV, Ukraine — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned Iran’s attack on Israel, drawing parallels to the war ravaging his own country where Russia has also used Iran-made drones.

“We in Ukraine know very well the horror of similar attacks by Russia, which uses the same Shahed drones and Russian missiles, the same tactics of mass air strikes," he said.

“Every effort must be made to prevent a further escalation in the Middle East. Iran’s actions threaten the entire region and the world, just as Russia’s actions threaten a larger conflict, and the obvious collaboration between the two regimes in spreading terror must face a resolute and united response from the world,” he said in a post on X.

“It is critical that the United States Congress make the necessary decisions to strengthen America’s allies at this critical time,” Zelenskyy said.

SUNAK SAYS UK SHOT DOWN A NUMBER OF IRANIAN DRONES

LONDON — British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has confirmed that U.K. military jets shot down “a number of Iranian attack drones" during an attack on Israel.

Sunak says the Royal Air Force sent additional planes to the Middle East to help intercept airborne strikes after Tehran announced it had launched an assault on Saturday.

“It’s clear that Iran is determined to sow discontent and destabilize the region, its own backyard,” Sunak told the BBC on Sunday. “If this attack had been successful, the fallout for regional security would be hard to overstate.”

Sunak is expected to hold an urgent call with U.S. President Joe Biden and other Group of Seven leaders later Sunday.

UK Defense Minister Grant Shapps also posted on X that British warplanes “intercepted and destroyed multiple one-way attack drones” and that all aircraft involved "returned safely to base.”

GERMANY SAYS IRANIAN ATTACK BRINGS THE REGION TO THE BRINK

BERLIN — German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock says the Iranian attack on Israel had brought the region “to the edge of the abyss.”

“With its aggressive behaviour, with which it wants to destabilize a whole region, Iran is isolated. And Israel’s capabilities have shown that Israel is strong, Israel can defend itself,” Baerbock said in Berlin.

“I call on all actors in the region to act prudently. The escalatory spiral must be broken. We must together find a way to end the violence,” Baerbock said.

She said Germany and its allies were discussing “consequences” following the Iranian attack, without elaborating.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, speaking to reporters during a trip to China, said he would take part in a meeting of G7 leaders later Sunday.

“We will do everything to prevent a further escalation,” Scholz said. “We can only warn everyone, especially Iran, against continuing in this way.”

Scholz is due to meet Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang on Tuesday.

IRAN'S FOREIGN MINISTER REITERATES OPERATION IS OVER

TEHRAN, Iran — Iran’s Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian said his country has no intention of continuing the military operation against Israel.

“At this juncture, the Islamic Republic of Iran has no intention of continuing defensive operations,” he posted on X, and added: "But if necessary, it will not hesitate to protect its legitimate interests against any new aggression.”

Amirabdollahian called the attack “exercising the right of legitimate defense” and said it shows Iran’s responsible approach to “regional and international peace and security.”

POPE FRANCIS APPEALS TO IRAN AND ISRAEL TO AVOID A SPIRAL OF VIOLENCE

VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis urged Iran and Israel in his Sunday’s prayer to avoid new actions that could spark “a spiral of violence” and drag the Middle East deeper into conflict.

“I follow in prayer and with concern, even pain, the news that came in the last few hours about the aggravation of the situation in Israel, due to the intervention by Iran,” Francis said, addressing pilgrims from the window overlooking St. Peter’s Square.

The pontiff made another “heartfelt appeal” to immediately stop any action that could further intensify the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

“No one should threaten the existence of others. Instead, all nations should side with peace and help Israelis and Palestinians to live in two States side by side, in safety,” he added. “Enough war, enough attacks, enough violence. Yes to dialogue, yes to peace."

The pope has often called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, asking conflicting parties to follow the path of negotiations.

IRAN SUMMONS 3 EUROPEAN AMBASSADORS OVER CONDEMNATION OF ATTACK ON ISRAEL

TEHRAN, Iran — Iran's Foreign Ministry on Sunday summoned the ambassadors of the U.K., Germany and France after the three European nations condemned an Iranian attack on Israel.

The ministry said on its website that the ambassadors were called in over their governments' “irresponsible stances” on the Iranian operation against Israel, which was in retaliation for a strike widely blamed on Israel on an Iranian consular building in Syria earlier this month that killed two Iranian generals.

RUSSIA EXPRESSES CONCERN FOLLOWING IRAN'S ATTACK ON ISRAEL

Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its “utmost concern” Sunday following Iranian strikes on Israel.

It said it hoped that Middle Eastern governments would resolve their problems through political and diplomatic means.

It also said that Western states had stopped the U.N. Security Council from “adequately responding” to the April 1 strike on Iran’s consulate building in Syria.

“We have repeatedly warned that unresolved crises throughout the Middle East — primarily in the area of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict — are often being fueled by irresponsible and provocative actions and will lead to increased tensions in the area,” the ministry said in a statement.

IRAN WARNS U.S. AGAINST COOPERATION WITH ISRAEL IN ANY NEW ATTACK

TEHRAN, Iran — Iran has sent a message to the U.S. warning Washington against cooperation with Israel in any military operation again Tehran following its unprecedented attack on Israel.

The state-run IRNA news agency quoted Gen. Mohammad Hossein Bagheri, the chief of staff of the Iranian armed forces, as saying that Tehran had communicated its message to the U.S. through the Swiss Embassy, which handles U.S. interests in Iran in the absence of diplomatic relations.

President Ebrahim Raisi sent a message praising Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard for launching the attack, saying it had taught a lesson to the “Zionist regime.” He also warned that “any new adventure against the interests of the Iranian nation would be met with a heavier and regretful response from the Islamic Republic of Iran.”

State TV meanwhile broadcast interviews with people on the street who praised the Iranian missile and drone attack on Israel and thanked the Iranian military.

HAMAS DEMANDS WRITTEN COMMITMENT THAT ISRAEL WILL WITHDRAW FROM GAZA

CAIRO — Hamas has demanded a “clear written commitment” that Israel will withdraw from the Gaza Strip during the second of a three-phase cease-fire deal, a senior Egyptian official and a Hamas official said Sunday.

The Palestinian militant group said Saturday it submitted its response to a six-week cease-fire proposal to Egyptian and Qatari mediators. It said it’s still committed to its demands for a permanent cease-fire, Israeli army withdrawal from all parts of Gaza, the return of displaced people to their homes, intensifying the flow of aid and the start of reconstruction. Israel said earlier Sunday that Hamas had rejected the latest proposal for a deal submitted last week.

“We confirm our readiness to reach a deal regarding a serious exchange of prisoners between the two sides,” Hamas said.

The proposal presented to both sides calls for a six-week cease-fire in Gaza, during which Hamas would release 40 of the more than 100 hostages the group is holding in the enclave in exchange for 900 Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails, including 100 serving long sentences for serious crimes.

The Egyptian official said Hamas wants “a comprehensive, phased deal” that included ending the war, Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza and an agreement of all hostages in return for a large number of Palestinian prisoners. Israel says it wants to destroy Hamas’ military and governing capabilities.

The officials said the response also included an increase in the number of Palestinian prisoners Hamas wants released from Israel.

The officials from Egypt and Hamas spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to disclose details from the sensitive negotiations. They said that Hamas’ response included the unrestricted return of displaced Palestinians in northern Gaza through the two main south-north thoroughfares.

The Egyptian official said mediators will carefully review the response before calling for another round of talks.

— By Samy Magdy

G7 LEADERS WILL CONVENE SUNDAY IN A VIDEO CALL

ROME — Leaders of the Group of Seven industrialized nations will hold a video conference Sunday to discuss an unprecedented Iranian attack against Israel.

Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni, whose country holds the G7 rotating presidency, wrote on X: "We express strong concern about a further destabilization of the region and continue to work to avoid it.”

U.S. President Joe Biden said the meeting is "to coordinate a united diplomatic response to Iran’s brazen attack.” The language indicated that the Biden administration does not want Iran’s assault to spiral into a broader military conflict.

JORDAN REPORTS IT BROUGHT DOWN IRANIAN OBJECTS OVER ITS TERRITORY

AMMAN, Jordan — The Jordanian Council of Ministers says that its forces “dealt with” parts of the Iranian attack that flew over its territory, “to prevent them from endangering the safety of our citizens and residential and inhabited areas.”

It said that fragments fell in multiple places but did not cause any significant damage or injuries.

The German Foreign Ministry said in a travel advisory Saturday that the Jordanian air force had shot down Iranian drones over Jordan, including over the capital, Amman.

Jordan's airspace was reopened on Sunday morning.

JAPAN'S PRIME MINISTER CONDEMNS THE IRANIAN ATTACK

TOKYO — Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Sunday condemned Iran’s attack on Israel as a move to worsen the ongoing Middle East situation.

“I am deeply concerned and strongly condemn the escalation," he told reporters.

Kishida said his government will do the utmost for the safety of Japanese citizens in the region, and stressed the importance of diplomatic effort to prevent further escalation of tensions. He said there has been no report of injury to Japanese nationals so far from the attack.

Kishida made the comment shortly after returning to Tokyo after a weeklong visit to the United States, where he stressed Japan’s role as a committed partner for the U.S. in global security and other issues.

IRAN SAYS ITS STRIKE WAS MORE SUCCESSFUL THAN IT EXPECTED

TEHRAN, Iran — The chief of Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard says the operation against Israel was more successful than expected.

Gen. Hossein Salami, in an interview with state TV, said they were still collecting information but that "the part of the hits that we have detailed and documented reports from the field show that this operation was more successful.”

He also said the Iranian forces had carried out a limited operation that matched "the evil that the Zionist enemy had done.”

Salami described the Israeli air defense system as complex, multi-layered and advanced and said passing through this system was a very difficult task.

“It means designing an operation that can pass drones, cruise missiles and ballistic missiles through this space and destroy them (targets) on the ground with extremely high accuracy," he said.

HAMAS LAUDS IRAN'S ATTACK ON ISRAEL

CAIRO — Hamas on Sunday praised Iran’s unprecedented missile and drone attack on Israel, saying it was a “deserved response to the crime” of a strike on Iran’s consulate in Syria two weeks ago.

The strike on the Iranian diplomatic compound on April 1 killed two Iranian generals and was widely attributed to Israel.

Hamas, an Islamic militant group backed by Iran, also appealed for continued support for its war with Israel in Gaza, now in its seventh month. Hamas directed the appeal at Arab and Islamic nations, as well as Iran-backed groups in the region.

Hamas said in the statement that it is fighting for “the right of our Palestinian people to freedom and independence and the establishment of its Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital.”

Hamas has been branded a terror organization by the West and has rejected a so-called two-state solution, instead seeking Israel’s destruction.

HEZBOLLAH SAYS IT FIRED DOZENS OF ROCKETS TOWARD ISRAELI MILITARY POSTS IN GOLAN HEIGHTS

BEIRUT — Lebanon’s Hezbollah militant group says it fired dozens of rockets toward Israeli military posts in Syria’s Israeli-occupied Golan Heights early Sunday after an Israeli airstrike killed one person in Lebanon.

The group said the attack was in retaliation for Israeli airstrikes overnight on towns and villages in southern Lebanon that killed and wounded “civilians."

Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency said Israeli airstrikes hit areas including the border villages of Kfar Kila and Odeisseh, as well as the town of Khiam. It said the airstrike on Khiam, a few miles from the border, killed one person and wounded others.

The exchange early Sunday came as Iran launched hundreds of drones, ballistic missiles and cruise missiles toward Israel in an unprecedented revenge mission for the April 1 airstrike on the Iranian consulate in the Syrian capital, Damascus.

ISRAEL REOPENS ITS AIRSPACE AFTER IRANIAN ATTACK

TEL AVIV, Israel — Israel has reopened its airspace following an unprecedented attack on its territory by Iran.

Israel’s Transportation Ministry said the country’s main international airport has resumed operations. It said domestic airports would reopen throughout the day Sunday.

Israel says Iran launched more than 300 drones and missiles toward its territory in the early morning attack, and that air defenses intercepted 99% of them. Minor damage was caused to an air base, the military said.

The military announced measures on Saturday in anticipation of the Iranian attack, closing its airspace, canceling school and limiting public gatherings to no more than 1,000 people.

ISRAEL HAILS INTERCEPTION OF IRANIAN MISSILES AND DRONES

JERUSALEM — Israel on Sunday hailed the interception of virtually all of the more than 300 Iranian missiles and drones targeting its territory as a significant strategic success.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu posted on social platform X: “We intercepted. We blocked. Together, we will win.”

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant added that “the Iranian attack was blocked in the most impressive way, together with our partners, the Americans and others.”

The Israeli army spokesman, Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, said that 99% of more than 300 launches, including drones, surface-to-surface missiles and cruise missiles, were intercepted outside Israeli territory. He said only a few got through, causing minor damage to an air base and injuring a 7-year-old girl in another location.

The successful interceptions come at a time when Israel is bogged down in its war against Hamas in Gaza, triggered by the militants’ deadly Oct. 7 attack on southern Israel. At the start of the war, Israel vowed to crush Hamas and bring back hostages the militants had taken on Oct. 7. Yet Hamas, while significantly weakened, remains standing, and dozens of hostages are still in Gaza.

NETANYAHU SAYS HAMAS REJECTS LATEST CEASE-FIRE PROPOSAL

JERUSALEM — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said Sunday that Hamas has rejected the latest proposal for a temporary cease-fire in Gaza, which would was to include the release of about 40 hostages held by the Islamic militants.

The proposal had been presented to Hamas a week ago by mediators Qatar, Egypt and the United States.

The Israeli statement said that Israel had shown flexibility in the negotiations. It alleged that Hamas leader Yehya Sinwar “continues to take advantage of the tensions with Iran” and seeks a wider regional escalation.

The statement came just hours after Iran launched more than 300 drones and missiles at Israel early Sunday, with Israel saying 99% of the launches were intercepted.

ISRAELI DEFENSE MINISTER CALLS IRAN ‘A COUNTRY OF TERROR’

JERUSALEM — Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on Sunday called Iran “a country of terror” after Tehran launched hundreds of drones and missiles toward Israel in an unprecedented attack.

"The Iranian attack was blocked in the most impressive way, together with our partners, the Americans and others ... The entire world saw today who is Iran — a country of terror,” Gallant said.

The attack, less than two weeks after a suspected Israeli strike in Syria that killed two Iranian generals in an Iranian consular building, marked the first time Iran has launched a direct military assault on Israel, despite decades of enmity dating back to the country’s 1979 Islamic Revolution.

U.N SECURITY COUNCIL CALLS AN EMERGENCY MEETING

The U.N. Security Council called an emergency meeting for 4 p.m. EDT (2000 GMT) on Sunday, after Iran launched hundreds of drones, ballistic missiles and cruise missiles at Israel.

“The gravity and volume of the attacks is unprecedented,” Israel’s U.N. Ambassador Gilad Erdan wrote in a letter to the council late Saturday calling for the meeting.

BIDEN SAYS U.S. HELPED ISRAEL DOWN ‘NEARLY ALL’ IRANIAN DRONES AND MISSILES

WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden says U.S. forces helped Israel down “nearly all” of the drones and missiles launched by Iran and pledged to convene allies to develop a unified response.

Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke early Sunday, Israeli time, their governments said. Biden said in a statement that he reaffirmed “America’s ironclad commitment” to Israel’s security — a departure from his harsh criticism over Israel’s handling of the war in Gaza.

“At my direction, to support the defense of Israel, the U.S. military moved aircraft and ballistic missile defense destroyers to the region over the course of the past week,” Biden said in the statement. “Thanks to these deployments and the extraordinary skill of our servicemembers, we helped Israel take down nearly all of the incoming drones and missiles.”

UN CHIEF CALLS FOR IMMEDIATE CESSATION OF HOSTILITIES

U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres is calling for an immediate halt to hostilities in the Middle East.

“I strongly condemn the serious escalation represented by the large-scale attack launched on Israel by the Islamic Republic of Iran this evening,” Guterres wrote in a statement Saturday night.

“I am deeply alarmed about the very real danger of a devastating region-wide escalation. I urge all parties to exercise maximum restraint to avoid any action that could lead to major military confrontations on multiple fronts in the Middle East,” Guterres wrote. “I have repeatedly stressed that neither the region nor the world can afford another war.”

GERMANY, FRANCE, CANADA CONDEMN IRANIAN ATTACKS AGAINST ISRAEL

The French government forcefully condemned the Iranian air attack on Israel.

French foreign minister Stéphane Séjourné said in a statement Saturday that in “taking such an unprecedented action, Iran has crossed a new threshold with regard to its destabilizing activities and is risking a potential military escalation.”

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock wrote early Sunday on X that Germany condemns “in the strongest possible terms the ongoing attack, which could plunge an entire region into chaos.

“Iran and its proxies must stop it immediately,” Baerbock wrote. "We offer Israel our full solidarity at this time.”

Likewise, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said his nation “unequivocally condemns Iran’s airborne attacks against Israel.”

"We stand with Israel. After supporting Hamas’ brutal October 7 attack, the Iranian regime’s latest actions will further destabilize the region and make lasting peace more difficult,” Trudeau said in a statement.

"We support Israel’s right to defend itself and its people from these attacks.”

BRITAIN AND ARGENTINA RESPOND TO IRANIAN ATTACK ON ISRAEL

U.K. Defense Secretary Grant Shapps said additional Royal Air Force jets and air refueling tankers have been sent to the Middle East to bolster Britain’s existing operation against the Islamic State Group in Iraq and Syria.

He said the jets “will intercept airborne attacks within range of our existing missions,” but did not confirm whether RAF jets had already shot down any Iranian drones.

Meanwhile, the spokesperson of Argentine President Javier Milei says the leader will cancel a trip to Denmark and return to Buenos Aires due to Iran’s attack on Israel.

A statement from presidential spokesperson Manuel Adorni said Milei was flying home to form a “crisis committee in light of the latest events in Israel, to take charge of the situation and coordinate actions with the presidents of the Western world.”

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How to Cancel an Air France Flight

Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This influences which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money .

If you’re looking to travel to Paris or beyond, there’s a good chance Air France has popped up in your airfare searches. Maybe you’ve even found a great price for an overseas flight, but between your work schedule and other commitments, you’re not sure you’ll be able to make the trip.

Here's what you need to know about the Air France cancellation policy before you click "Purchase".

Air France cancellation and refund policy

Air France allows ticket cancellations on some fare types, such as Flex fares, but nonrefundable flights aren’t eligible for cancellation. Depending on the booking class, you might even have to pay a fee to cancel your flight — and some fare types only include the option to change your itinerary or travel dates, but not cancel entirely.

Also keep in mind that the Air France refund policy states that if you purchased a ticket through a travel agency, you must contact them first. For direct bookings, contact Air France directly.

If you haven’t used the ticket and it’s no longer valid, you’re only entitled to a refund of the taxes and fees.

» Learn more: How to make the most of Air France economy class

Which Air France tickets allow for cancellations

Tickets booked in the last 24 hours.

If your plans change shortly after booking a flight, the Air France 24-hour cancellation policy allows for free cancellation of any ticket booked in the last 24 hours.

This is actually a U.S. Department of Transportation rule that applies to all flights originating in the United States. For the policy to apply, you must book a flight at least seven days before departure of the outbound flight. If your flight departs sooner than that, you may still have to pay cancellation fees.

Tickets booked in select fare classes

You might be eligible for a refund after the 24-hour period if you booked certain ticket types, according to the Air France cancellation policy.

If you’re traveling within Europe, the following fare types can be canceled for free:

Business class fully flexible.

Economy class fully flexible.

And if your trip includes intercontinental travel, the following booking classes are eligible for cancellation:

Premium economy fully flexible.

Economy fully flexible.

Additionally, these booking classes can be canceled for a fee on intercontinental flights:

Business class.

Premium economy fare class S.

Economy flexible.

If your fare class isn’t on the list, the ticket can’t be canceled outright, and this is when the Air France flight change policy kicks in. In this case, you’ll be issued a nonrefundable, nontransferable voucher. Technically, it isn’t a refund since the money never goes back to the original payment method used to purchase the fare, and it can only be used with the airline.

Most fare types can be changed for a fee. Air France change fees vary and will be subtracted from the original value of the unused portion of the flight cost.

Tickets changed, delayed or canceled by the airline

If your flight has been changed by the airline before departure, you can cancel the ticket for free. If you’re already at the airport and the flight has been delayed by at least five hours, you can also cancel the unused portion of the ticket for a refund, even if you’ve flown at least one segment of the itinerary.

The same goes for flight cancellations made by Air France. You can’t fly a flight that’s canceled, so you can request a refund if you don’t want to re-book your itinerary.

Additionally, because Air France is a European carrier, if your flight was delayed or canceled for a reason in the airline's control, such as mechanical issues or crew shortage, you can ask for additional compensation .

» Learn more: What to do if an airline changes or cancels your flight

How to cancel an Air France flight

If you booked directly through Air France, log in to your Flying Blue account and go to “My Bookings.” Pick the flight you want to cancel and follow the instructions. If you’re not sure whether your flight is eligible for a refund or a travel voucher, click on “View ticket conditions” for more information. Online refunds are processed at no additional cost and take no more than 30 days to complete.

If you’d like to cancel over the phone, dial 1-800-237-2747 or 1-711-833-2072 Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.

How to cancel a Flying Blue award ticket

If you’re looking to cancel or change an Air France award ticket booked through the Flying Blue loyalty program, you can do so by calling the Flying Blue customer service line at 1-800-375-8723.

A fee of about $53 (50 euros) applies to changes and cancellations of flights booked with Flying Blue miles. It’s a small price to pay for the miles to be redeposited into your account. It also could be worth it to cancel and rebook a ticket if the redemption rate of the award has dropped significantly since you booked, which is always possible due to the airline’s use of dynamic pricing.

» Learn more: 5 things to know about the Air France-KLM credit card

Air France cancellation policy, recapped

Some Air France tickets are eligible for refunds, but most are eligible for travel credits only.

The Air France 24-hour cancellation policy allows you to cancel a ticket for free as long as you’re within this timeframe. In all other cases, make sure to read the fare conditions for your ticket carefully before making any moves. If you booked an award ticket, you’ll be charged a fee to change your ticket or cancel and get your miles back.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024 , including those best for:

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

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Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

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