If you have ever been in a position where it was necessary for you to cancel an airline ticket, you are more than aware of the various questions you have in regards to this process. Ticket cancellation can pose a number of issues if you are not informed about the process. Prepare yourself by learning about the various options and penalties that are associated with ticket cancellation.
The Need for Ticket Cancellation
There are times when ticket cancellation is inevitable. If you are considering ticket cancellation, there are a variety of reasons why this may occur. Perhaps there is a work conflict that makes it difficult for you to commit to a previously planned trip. Maybe you were scheduled to take a vacation, but there was a death in your family. These are valid reasons why you may consider cancelling an airline ticket.
In order to improve your chances of getting a refund due to a ticket cancellation many airlines require that you provide information that confirms the need to cancel the ticket. Even with this information, airlines tickets are subject to the cancellation rules and policies stipulated at the time of purchase. Thus, when buying a ticket it is important to not only look at the cost of the ticket but the cancellation policy as well. Doing this will ensure that you are knowledgeable about the cancellation policies regarding your ticket.
Options for Ticket Cancellation
If you are considering ticket cancellation, you have several options available to you. If you are attempting to get a full refund of your airline ticket, most airline companies will refund the entire cost of the tickets if the cancellation occurs within 24 hours after the original booking.
If you are canceling your tickets after the 24-hour grace period, you may still receive a refund minus any fees charged for the cancellation.
In cases where the ticket cancellation is directly related to a major event such as death or a medical emergency, ticket cancellation with a full refund is possible with supporting documentation. Airlines will usually require that you submit official documents such as a death certificate and/or hospital records that coincide with the applicable travel date.
Family members requesting ticket cancellation due to death are required to submit documents that prove the familial link such as a birth or marriage certificate. In general, refunds for this type of ticket cancellation that lack supporting documentation are not processed until the necessary documentation is received.
Ticket Cancellation Penalties
Whether you will incur ticket cancellation penalties depends on the type of airline tickets purchased. Tickets are either refundable or non-refundable. Refundable tickets usually have a low cancellation fee. The non-refundable airline tickets usually have a high cancellation fee. In many cases, you will not receive any reimbursement for a non-refundable ticket at all.
Thus, it is very important to consider the refund status of an airline ticket during the booking process. Don’t be tempted by a low cost on a non-refundable ticket. If you want to avoid losing the entire cost of your ticket, selecting a refundable ticket is recommended.
There are also incidences when the ticket cancellation refund is processed as a travel credit. While this is not necessary a penalty, some airlines may not be willing to provide a refund in cash if certain stipulations are not met. Thus, as a compromise a travel credit is issued. You can speak with your airline to determine if a travel credit is an option for a ticket cancellation.
Sometimes cancelling a ticket is inevitable. Understanding ticket cancellation policies is important in case you need to cancel your airline tickets unexpectedly.