How to Change or Cancel a Flight Ticket
Every airline handles changes and cancellations a little differently, but the rules that decide what you get back are the same everywhere: how recently you booked, what fare you bought, and how the DOT's refund protections apply to your situation.
Changing or cancelling a flight ticket usually comes down to three questions: did you book in the last 24 hours, is your fare refundable, and did the airline change something on its end. Get those three answered and the rest, fees, refunds, credits, is mostly just following the steps. This guide covers the fare rules, the federal protections you actually have, and the exact process for changing or cancelling a ticket yourself.
Quick Answer
- Within 24 hours of booking: almost any ticket can be cancelled for a full refund, no fee, if it was booked at least 7 days before departure
- After 24 hours: a refundable fare gets cash back; a non-refundable fare usually converts to a travel credit
- Basic economygenerally can't be changed at all, only cancelled inside the 24-hour window
- Standard economy and above on most major US carriers no longer carries a change fee, though a fare difference can still apply
- If the airline cancels or significantly changes your flight, you're entitled to a cash refund by law, even on a non-refundable ticket
Fare Rules Explained
Before any of the change or cancellation policies make sense, it helps to know what the fare terms actually mean. Airlines use a handful of terms over and over, and they don't always mean what they sound like.
| Term | What It Actually Means |
|---|---|
| Refundable fare | Can be cancelled for cash back to your original payment method, at any time before departure, no strings attached |
| Non-refundable fare | The default on most tickets. Cancelling returns a travel credit rather than cash, usually minus a fee |
| Basic economy | The cheapest fare class, priced low because it strips out flexibility: no changes, limited or no cancellation value |
| Change fee | A charge for switching your flight date, time, or route. Waived by most major carriers on standard fares and above |
| Cancellation fee | A charge deducted from your refund or credit when you cancel a non-refundable ticket |
| Fare difference | The gap between what you paid and what your new flight costs. You owe it if the new flight is pricier, and often get a credit if it's cheaper |
Flight Cancellation Policy: What You Get Back by Fare Type
Once you're past the 24-hour window, your fare type decides what a cancellation is actually worth.
| Fare Type | If You Cancel | If You Change |
|---|---|---|
| Refundable | Cash refund to your original payment method | Usually allowed with no fee, plus any fare difference |
| Non-refundable (standard) | Travel credit, minus any applicable fee | Often allowed with no change fee, but fare difference still applies |
| Basic economy | No refund, and frequently no credit either | Usually not changeable at all |
Refundable tickets cost more upfront in exchange for full flexibility. Most travelers fly on non-refundable fares, which is fine as long as you go in knowing a cancellation is likely to leave you with a credit rather than cash.
Non-Refundable Ticket Cancellation Options
A non-refundable label doesn't always mean you lose everything. Here's what's typically still on the table:
- Travel credit or eCredit: the most common outcome, usually the ticket price minus a cancellation fee, valid for a future booking with the same airline
- Same-day change: some airlines let you move to an earlier or later flight the same day for a small fee, without a full cancellation
- Trip protection: if you added travel insurance at checkout, it can sometimes convert a non-refundable cancellation into an actual cash refund, depending on the reason
- Waivers during disruptions: when an airline issues a weather or operational waiver, non-refundable rules are often relaxed for affected routes and dates
Basic Economy Change Restrictions
Basic economy is priced to be the cheapest seat on the plane, and the trade-off is flexibility. Once the 24-hour window closes, most airlines won't let you touch the date, time, or route on a basic economy ticket under any circumstances, fee or no fee. A few carriers allow you to pay to "upgrade" the fare to standard economy first, which then unlocks normal change rules, but that's not universal. If you cancel a basic economy ticket outside the 24-hour window, expect little to no credit back. It's the fare to book only when your dates are locked in.
US Department of Transportation rules require airlines to let you cancel any new booking within 24 hours of purchase for a full refund, no fee, no questions asked, as long as the ticket was booked at least 7 days before departure. It applies to every fare class, including basic economy, and it's the fastest way to fix a booking mistake or a last-minute change of mind. This protection generally applies to tickets bought directly from the airline; third-party sites and agents don't always mirror it exactly, so it's worth checking their terms at checkout.
How to Change a Flight Date
- 1Find your confirmation number.Check your booking confirmation email, or search your inbox for the flight receipt. It's usually near the top of the email.
- 2Locate your trip.Go to the airline's "My Trips" or "Manage Booking" page and enter your confirmation number along with your last name.
- 3Select "Change Flight" or "Modify Trip."This opens a search for alternate dates, times, or routes on your existing itinerary.
- 4Choose your new flight.The system shows any fare difference or credit owed based on your original ticket.
- 5Pay the difference, if applicable.If the new flight costs more, you'll pay the gap. If it costs less, most airlines issue the difference as a credit rather than cash.
- 6Confirm and save the new itinerary.You'll get an updated confirmation email with the new flight details.
Flight Change Fee vs. Fare Difference
These two get mixed up constantly, but they're separate charges. A change fee is a flat charge an airline used to apply just for letting you switch flights, and most major US carriers have dropped it on standard economy fares and above. A fare differenceis simply the price gap between your original ticket and the new flight, and it applies no matter what, since airlines don't let you swap into a pricier seat for free. So even on an airline with "no change fees," you can still end up paying more if the new flight itself costs more.
Airline Change Fee Policy
Change fee policies vary by carrier and by fare class. Here's the general pattern for major US airlines in 2026:
| Airline | Standard Economy & Above | Basic Economy |
|---|---|---|
| Delta | No change fee; fare difference applies | Not changeable; cancel only for a reduced eCredit |
| American | No change fee; fare difference applies | Not changeable after the 24-hour window |
| United | No change fee; fare difference applies | Not changeable unless upgraded to standard economy first |
| Southwest | No change fee on any fare; only the fare difference applies | N/A, Southwest doesn't sell a basic economy fare class |
| JetBlue | No change fee on Blue and above; fare difference applies | Limited changes, fee may apply depending on fare |
Policies shift, so always confirm the current rule for your specific fare before assuming it's changeable.
Refund for a Cancelled Flight: The DOT Rule
This is the part most travelers don't know they're entitled to. Under the US Department of Transportation's refund rule, if the airline cancels your flight or makes a significant schedule change, you're owed an automatic cash refund, in your original form of payment, if you decline the new flight, a rebooking, a credit, or any other alternative the airline offers. This applies even if your original ticket was non-refundable. Airlines must issue the refund within 7 business days for card purchases, or 20 business days for cash or check.
The refund is automatic under DOT rules, but in practice you often need to actively decline the airline's rebooking or credit offer, so read any change notification carefully before assuming a refund will land on its own.
Schedule Change Compensation Rights
Not every schedule tweak qualifies. A change generally counts as "significant," and triggers your right to a refund instead of accepting it, when a domestic flight's departure or arrival shifts by 3 hours or more, or an international flight shifts by 6 hours or more. Other qualifying changes include a downgrade to a lower cabin, an added connection, or being rerouted through a different airport than you originally booked. If your change doesn't meet that bar, airlines aren't required to offer a refund, though many will still work with you on a courtesy rebooking.
How to Get a Refund for a Cancelled Flight
If your flight was already cancelled by the airline and you'd rather have your money back than rebook, here's the process:
- 1Check the cancellation notice.Airlines are required to notify you by email, text, or app alert. Look for the options presented, rebooking, credit, or refund.
- 2Decline the rebooking or credit offer.If you want cash back rather than a new flight or credit, you typically need to actively choose the refund option, or simply not accept the alternative.
- 3Submit the refund request.Most airlines have a dedicated refund request form under "Manage Booking" for cancelled or significantly changed flights.
- 4Track the timeline.Refunds for card purchases are due within 7 business days, and within 20 business days for cash or check.
- 5Escalate if it doesn't arrive.If the refund is late, you can file a complaint with the DOT's Aviation Consumer Protection division.
Flight Credit vs. Refund
When an airline offers a choice, it's worth pausing before picking a credit. A refund puts cash back on your card, no restrictions, use it however you want. A flight creditkeeps the value inside that airline's system, tied to an expiration date, often the same passenger name, and only redeemable on that carrier. Credits can make sense if you fly the same airline often and know you'll use it before it expires. But if the airline cancelled or significantly changed your flight, you're entitled to a cash refund under DOT rules and don't have to settle for a credit, even if that's the first option shown on the screen.
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Name Correction on a Flight Ticket
A wrong letter or a swapped first and last name doesn't have to mean rebooking from scratch. Most airlines treat minor corrections, an obvious typo, a nickname versus a legal name, a missing middle initial, as a quick fix, sometimes free and sometimes for a small administrative fee. What they won't do is change the ticket to a completely different traveler; that's considered a new booking, not a correction, since tickets aren't transferable. If you spot an error, contact the airline as soon as possible. The closer you get to departure, the more limited your options become, and if the name on your ticket doesn't match your ID at all, you risk being denied boarding.
Cancelling or Changing an Award Ticket (Miles and Points)
If you booked with miles rather than cash, cancellation is often simpler. Many airlines let you cancel an award ticket for free, redepositing the miles back into your account right away. Cash taxes and fees paid at booking are typically refunded separately, though occasionally as a credit rather than a refund to your card, so it's worth checking the specific terms before cancelling.
Since basic economy fares generally can't be booked with miles, award tickets tend to carry more flexibility for changes as well, though the exact rules still vary by airline.
What Happens If You Miss Your Flight
If you don't cancel or change a ticket and simply don't show up, that's treated as a no-show, the most expensive outcome by far. Airlines can cancel the remaining segments of your itinerary, including a return flight, and the ticket may be treated as having no remaining value at all.
If your plans change at the last minute, it's almost always worth cancelling or changing the ticket, even an hour before departure, rather than letting it lapse into a no-show.
Tips for a Smoother Change or Cancellation
- Act within the first 24 hours if you're unsure. That window gives you a full refund regardless of fare type, so use it if there's any doubt about your plans.
- Know your fare type before you book. Basic economy is cheaper upfront but offers little to no flexibility later.
- Keep your confirmation email. It holds the confirmation number you'll need for any change, cancellation, or refund request.
- Check third-party booking terms separately. If you didn't book directly with the airline, cancellation and refund rules may differ from what the airline's own site shows.
- Read schedule change notices closely. If a change qualifies as significant, you can request a refund instead of accepting the new time.
- Think twice before taking a credit. If the airline caused the disruption, you're entitled to cash. Take the credit only if it genuinely works better for you.
Conclusion
Changing or cancelling a flight ticket is rarely as complicated as it feels in the moment. The 24-hour rule covers most last-minute mistakes, refundable and non-refundable fares each follow predictable rules, and most standard fares can be changed for just a fare difference rather than a fee. If the airline is the one who changed your plans, DOT rules put a cash refund back on the table, credit offers included. The one situation to avoid at all costs is letting a ticket lapse into a no-show, since that's when you lose the most value. When in doubt, check your fare type, know your rights under the DOT refund rule, and act sooner rather than later.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the DOT's 24-hour flight cancellation rule?
US airlines must let you cancel a new booking within 24 hours of purchase for a full refund, no fee, no exceptions, as long as you booked directly with the airline at least 7 days before departure. It applies to every fare type, including basic economy.
What is the difference between a refundable and non-refundable ticket?
A refundable ticket can be cancelled for cash back at any point before departure. A non-refundable ticket, the more common and cheaper option, typically converts to a travel credit minus any applicable fee instead of cash.
Do I pay a change fee, or just the fare difference?
Most major US airlines dropped change fees on standard economy fares and above. You'll still owe the difference if your new flight costs more, and you may get a credit if it costs less. Basic economy fares usually can't be changed at all.
Should I take a flight credit or ask for a cash refund?
If the airline cancelled your flight or made a significant schedule change, you're entitled to a cash refund under DOT rules and don't have to accept a credit. If you're cancelling voluntarily on a non-refundable fare, a credit is often the only option offered.
Can a basic economy ticket be changed at all?
Almost never, once the 24-hour window closes. Basic economy fares are built to be non-changeable, and on some airlines you can't touch the date or route even for a fee. Cancellation, where allowed, usually returns a reduced credit rather than cash.
What counts as a significant schedule change that entitles me to a refund?
Under DOT guidance, a domestic flight moved 3 or more hours from its original time, or an international flight moved 6 or more hours, generally counts as significant. If you don't accept the new time, you can request a full refund instead.
Can I correct a misspelled name on my ticket?
Most airlines allow minor corrections, like fixing a typo or a swapped first and last name, sometimes free and sometimes for a small fee. A full name change to a different traveler is generally not allowed and is treated as a new booking.
What happens if I miss my flight without cancelling?
That's a no-show. Airlines can cancel the rest of your itinerary, including your return flight, and your ticket may lose all remaining value. It's almost always better to cancel or change in advance, even at the last minute, than to simply not show up.
Can I cancel a flight booked with miles or points?
Yes, and it's often easier than cash tickets. Many airlines redeposit the miles for free, though taxes and fees paid in cash may be refunded separately or issued as credit.