If you’ve just booked a plane ticket for your next trip but are having second thoughts about your flight, don’t worry—you’re not completely out of options.
The Department of Transportation has a rule that lets travelers cancel their flight for a full refund within 24 hours of booking. However, there are a few conditions to keep in mind. Here’s everything you need to know about the 24-hour rule, plus what to do if you miss that window.
The 24-Hour Flight Cancellation Rule
According to the Department of Transportation (DoT), airlines must allow passengers to either:
- Cancel their booking within 24 hours for a full refund (with no penalty), or
- Hold a ticket at the quoted price for 24 hours without payment.
But here’s the catch: Airlines don’t have to offer both options. So, if you see a 24-hour hold option at checkout, it might mean you can’t cancel for free after booking.
Also, if you cancel within this window, the refund must be in cash—not airline credit—and processed within:
- 7 business days for credit card purchases
- 20 business days for cash or check payments
Exceptions to the Rule
While airlines must follow the 24-hour cancellation policy, they don’t have to let you make free changes during that time. If you need to adjust your flight date, time, or fix a name error, you might still have to pay a fee. In that case, it’s often better to cancel within 24 hours for a full refund and rebook with the correct details. Just keep in mind that fares can change, even in that short period.
Another big limitation? The rule doesn’t apply to tickets booked through third parties (like credit card travel portals or travel agents). Some online agencies still offer 24-hour cancellations to attract customers, but since it’s not required, always check the fine print.
If you book less than seven days before departure, the DoT’s rule doesn’t cover you—but some airlines have more flexible policies. For example:
- American Airlines gives you 24 hours to cancel as long as you book at least two days before your flight.
- United Airlines follows the DoT’s seven-day rule.
- Delta requires cancellation by midnight the day after booking or before departure (whichever comes first).
What If You Miss the 24-Hour Window?
Once the 24 hours pass, your options depend on the airline’s rules for your fare type. The DoT says you’re entitled to a refund only in these cases:
- The airline cancels your flight
- There’s a major schedule change or delay
- Your class of service changes
- You paid for an extra service (like seat selection) and didn’t get it
- You paid baggage fees and the airline loses your luggage
- You bought a fully refundable ticket
Notice that “I changed my mind” isn’t on the list. If you booked a non-refundable ticket and can’t fly for personal reasons, you won’t get your money back.
That said, post-pandemic policies are more flexible. For example:
- Delta’s Main Cabin (or higher) tickets (for U.S. departures) can be canceled for an eCredit.
- Basic Economy or international flights may still allow cancellations but with a fee.
The only way to guarantee a full cash refund is to book a refundable fare. Otherwise, you’ll likely get travel credit instead.
Final Thoughts
From my experience, getting a refund in points or miles is much easier than getting cash back. If you book an award flight, you can often cancel anytime before departure and get your miles refunded—I’ve done this many times, even just to rebook a cheaper flight. But always check the terms—don’t assume you’ll get your money or miles back in every situation.