How to cancel my flight – your rights

It can be difficult to navigate your way through the various rights and responsibilities when it comes to cancelling a flight. There are many factors that need to be considered to ensure that you, as a consumer, are not taken advantage of. But what are your rights? In this blog article, we will shed some light on the topic of “Cancelling a flight – your rights” and explain what your rights are and how best to deal with such a situation.

Flight cancellation: It depends on who is cancelling!

If you cancel a flight that you no longer wish to take, you will usually be refunded the purchase price. However, if the airline cancels a booked flight for you, you are entitled to compensation, according to the Air Passenger Rights Regulation. The amount depends on how long in advance the booking was canceled: less than 7 days you get full compensation according to EC 261/2004, between 7 and 14 days you get 50% of the compensation and more than 14 days no compensation. The airfare must be refunded, or a replacement flight offered, but this does not have to be accepted if the arrival times differ by more than 5 hours (rule of thumb).

Can a prepaid flight be canceled?

Yes, a prepaid flight can normally be canceled. Although in most cases it is not possible to get your money back in full, the airline may offer a credit or partial refund, depending on the cancellation period and the type of ticket booked. Therefore, make sure you know what conditions apply to your flight and whether you are entitled to a refund.

Is there a refund if you cancel the flight yourself?

There are possible refunds in many cases if you cancel your flight. Each company has its policy on refunding cancellation fees, so you should always check the terms and conditions of the airline in question to see if and how much money you can get back as a refund. Refunds for different travel documents or adjustments to travel plans are also often possible. Also, note that certain options may vary by airline.

How much does it cost to cancel a flight?

The price for cancelling a flight depends on the airline. Many companies charge a handling fee if you cancel a flight less than 24 hours before departure. In addition, they may also charge a hidden fee, which means you may not get a full refund (money). But in some cases, you can ask for up to 95 percent of the ticket price (air tickets) back. If you want to change or cancel your flight booking, you should check the general terms and conditions (GTC) of the respective airline.

How long can you cancel a flight free of charge?

any air travelers wonder: how long can you cancel a flight free of charge? The deadlines for cancelling a flight free of charge vary depending on the airline and ticket class. As a rule, tickets should be canceled within 24 hours of purchase to receive a full refund. However, some airlines offer longer periods of up to 48 hours during which tickets can be canceled without charge. So if you are thinking about cancelling your ticket, you should act as soon as possible and check the airline’s terms and conditions first.

How do I proceed if I want to cancel my flight ticket?

If you want to cancel a flight, you must submit the cancellation directly to the airline if possible. Remember to make your declaration in writing and then request a refund of the ticket price paid by the airline.

When do I have a claim in the event of a flight cancellation?

In principle, you are entitled to a refund of the purchase price in the event of a flight cancellation, whereby the amount of the refund depends on when you submitted the cancellation to the airline. 

If there is an unavoidable flight cancellation by the airline operator, there are rights of claim against the airline. This can occur, for example, if the flight is not used due to technical defects in the aircraft or because of excessive rainfall or strong gusts of wind. There are also claims for compensation from the airline in the event of strike action or the loss of crew members.

The airline has canceled my flight: What can I do?

• Have the airline confirm the reason for the flight cancellation in writing.
• Collect receipts for expenses at the airport.
• Insist on utilities in case of long waiting times.
• Have your flight checked by Flightright and claim compensation or ticket reimbursement for the inconvenience.

Your flight was canceled by the airline: What you are entitled to in the event of a cancellation

• The right to a replacement flight or ticket refund.
• If the airline informed you less than 14 days in advance, you can claim compensation for a flight cancellation.
• The EU Passenger Rights Regulation entitles you to between €250 and €600 in compensation for a canceled flight, depending on the route.
• You have the right to care services in the event of long waiting times.

Refund in case of flight cancellation

Your flight has been canceled by the airline and the airline now wants to give you vouchers or offer you a rebooking to a later date. However, you do not have to accept this offer! Get written confirmation of the cancellation and use Flightright to claim back the ticket price you paid.

No refund for non-cancellable tickets

Most airlines and other travel service providers do not offer refunds for non-cancellable tickets. As a passenger, it’s important to know your rights regarding non-cancellable tickets. In most cases, when you purchase a non-cancellable ticket, it means that you won’t be able to get a refund if you decide to cancel your trip. However, it’s important to note that there are certain instances where you may be entitled to a refund.

For example, if the airline cancels your flight, you may be entitled to a refund or a rebooking on a later flight. Before purchasing a flight, you must check all the relevant information, terms, and conditions and establish whether a refund is available if you cannot use your ticket.

What happens if you have bought a non-refundable ticket and cannot use it? 

If you have bought a non-refundable ticket and then cannot use it after all, this is very annoying. Fortunately, there are some ways (tips) you can minimize your loss.

• The first option is to resell your ticket to others. Many companies offer programmes or options where tickets can be resold to someone else for a reduced price. However, this option is not always available.
• A second option is to try to travel and refund your ticket. With many companies, customers (travelers) get money back even if they ended up not being able to make their trip. The sooner you contact the company and explain the situation, the greater the chance of a refund.
• Finally, there is the option of a credit or refund for future trips. Many companies offer this programme so that customers can get back part of the total value of unused tickets, in the form of credits, to book air or train tickets later. However, this type of refund often has specific conditions and restrictions, so it is important to be well-informed beforehand.

All in all, it can be frustrating to purchase a non-refundable ticket and not be able to use it afterwards; however, with a bit of luck, there is more than one solution to this problem!

Our tip: Tickets from a higher fare level may be more expensive, but they guarantee you a refund of the basic fare. Avoid a nasty surprise and always check your ticket cancellation options before booking.

Are cancellation processing fees allowed?

Many airlines charge a fee for processing cancellations (cancellation fees/cancellation charges). These fees are often considered inadmissible because the airline is passing on general operating costs to the customers (passengers) who could not use the ticket. 

Cancellation processing fees may be allowed under certain circumstances, but it ultimately depends on the terms and conditions of the specific airline or travel provider. Passengers have certain rights when it comes to flight cancellations, such as being entitled to a refund or alternative flight if their flight is cancelled by the airline. However, if a passenger chooses to cancel his own booking, they may be subject to cancellation fees. It’s important for passengers to review the terms and conditions of their booking before making any changes or cancellations to understand what fees they may be responsible for.

Cancelling flights: Travel cancellation insurance

It is advisable to find out about the availability of travel cancellation insurance before booking a flight. Such insurance can help you to cancel your flight in case of unexpected events without having to pay extra costs (fee, penalty).

Conclusion: cancelling a flight 

In the European Union, Regulation 261/200/EC is in force to strengthen the rights of air passengers (air passenger rights). This regulation applies to all flights within the European Union, or if the departure airport is in the EU, and to flights operated by airlines based in Europe if the destination airport is within the European Union. Passengers must address their claims and cancellations directly to the airline.

When cancelling a flight, it is important to remember that most companies charge taxes and fees for cancellations. However, some airlines offer a full refund of fees paid as long as the cancellation is made within a certain period. Other airlines differ in their policies and offer certain refund criteria for flight cancellations. Therefore, before purchasing a ticket, it is important to consider all the company’s terms and conditions regarding reimbursement for non-cancellation clauses.