Best Airlines to Cancel a Flight Paid with Points or Miles
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Introduction:
Cancellations and delays are common occurrences in the world of air travel. However, when it comes to redeeming points or miles for flights, some airlines offer more flexible cancellation policies than others. In this article, we will examine the best airlines that allow you to cancel a flight paid with points or miles with minimal hassle and fees.
1. Southwest Airlines:
Southwest Airlines is known for its customer-friendly policies, and its cancellation rules are no exception. If you need to cancel a flight booked with points, Southwest allows you to do so without any penalties. The points will be redeposited back into your Rapid Rewards account, while taxes and fees are refunded back to the original form of payment.
2. Alaska Airlines:
Alaska Airlines offers a generous 24-hour cancellation window for award bookings. Within this period, you can cancel your reservation for a full refund of miles and taxes without any fees. If you need to cancel your booking after 24 hours but more than 60 days from your travel date, there’s a $125 change or cancellation fee per ticket.
3. United Airlines:
United Airlines’ cancellation policy depends on the type of award ticket booked – MileagePlus members without elite status get 24 hours from booking time to cancel their ticket without any penalties. After 24 hours, if you’re not an elite member, cancellations cost $125 per ticket. However, Premier Platinum and Premier 1K members can enjoy free cancellations on flights booked using award miles.
4. American Airlines:
American Airlines allows a 24-hour risk-free cancellation window for all award bookings within the United States (including Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands). After this window closes, there’s a reinstatement fee of $150 per ticket for the first award redeposited into your account and $25 for each additional award reinstated at the same time.
5. Delta Air Lines:
Delta’s SkyMiles program does not charge a fee for award ticket cancellations made within the first 24 hours of booking. After that point, general members will face a $150 redeposit fee to get their miles back. However, Diamond and Platinum Medallion members can enjoy free award ticket cancellations as a part of their elite benefits.
Conclusion:
Canceling flights booked with points or miles can sometimes come with added fees and restrictions. However, some airlines offer more flexibility than others when it comes to canceling these flights. Southwest Airlines provides the most generous policy, allowing for cancellation without any penalties. Other airlines like Alaska, United, American, and Delta also offer varying levels of flexibility in their cancellation policies for award bookings. It’s essential to familiarize yourself with these policies before redeeming your hard-earned points or miles in order to avoid any unexpected fees or complications.