Airline Award Ticket Change and Cancellation Policies

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Due to award availability, it’s often necessary to book award flights months in advance to secure your seat. This is particularly true for business- and first-class awards. With such a long period between the date you book and the date you fly, it’s easy for your plans to change, and you may need to change a flight award. Or, even worse, you may need to cancel your flight and request your miles be returned to your account. Unfortunately, award ticket change and cancellation policies differ greatly across airlines. Fees can range from free changes with Southwest, ANA, and SAS up to a draconian $220 per ticket for Aeromexico flights to the United States. Avianca LifeMiles is another program that charges sky-high fees: over $200 to cancel an international award flight.

However, many programs have changed for the better. Owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, airline change and cancellation policies tend to be much more consumer friendly than they were before 2020. Previously, Delta charged $150 to redeposit miles from a canceled award ticket. Now, across the board, U.S. carriers have eliminated change and cancellation fees on most itineraries.

Still, there is a lot of variation among carriers. With such a wide array of policies in play, we've compiled the award change and cancellation policies into the table below as a convenient reference. We’ll keep it updated as policies change.

SAS EuroBonus charges no award change or cancellation fees. Credit: SAS

Award Ticket Change and Cancellation Policies

Before we dig into the details, it’s important for you to note that each frequent flyer program features rules and exclusions unique to that program. A common way to avoid change and cancellation fees is to hold elite status, although this isn't universal. We've summarized the key change and cancellation policy terms but also linked to the official program terms for each airline if you need to investigate further.

If you don't want to scroll through a long list of airline award ticket change and cancellation policies, we have summarized the North American airlines into a separate post for easy reference:

North American Airline Award Ticket Change and Cancellation Policies

Remember that these fees apply to voluntary changes. You are often entitled to a free change or ticket cancellation if the airline changes the schedule significantly or changes the aircraft/route.

Aeromexico Rewards

• Change fees:
  • Domestic itineraries: $1,070 MXN (~$63 USD)
  • Non-USA international itineraries: $1,930 MXN (~$113 USD)
  • USA itineraries: $4,000 MXN (~$234 USD)
• Cancellation and redeposit fees:
  • Free within 24 hours of booking
  • Domestic itineraries: $1,930 MXN (~$113 USD)
  • International itineraries: $2,900 MXN (~$170 USD)
• Exceptions: Change fee waived for Titanium elite members if the change is made 21+ days prior to departure; SkyTeam awards are refundable, provided the trip has not started.
• Close-in fees: No close-in booking fee.
• Other fees: Ticketing fees of ~$15–30 USD (charged in MXN), depending on the channel used.
• Policy

Aer Lingus (booked via Avios.com)

• Change fee: €42.50 per ticket
• Cancellation fee: €42.50 per ticket
• Close-in fees: None
• Other fees: €15 fee for booking via chat or phone instead of online
• Policy

Air Canada Aeroplan

• Change fees
  • Up to 2 hours before departure:
    • Standard tickets: CAD $100 (plus taxes) per direction, per ticket
    • Flex and Latitude tickets: Free
  • You must change at least two hours before departure or the ticket is forfeited
• Cancellation and redeposit fees:
  • Standard award: CAD $175 via contact centre or CAD $150 online (plus taxes and fees)
  • Economy Flex award: CAD $125 via contact centre or CAD $75 online (plus taxes and fees)
  • You must cancel at least two hours before departure to avoid ticket forfeiture
• Exceptions:
  • Change and cancellation fees are waived for Aeroplan Super Elite members
• Close-in fees: None
• Policy

Air France–KLM Flying Blue

• Change fee: €50 per ticket
• Cancellation and redeposit fee: €50 per ticket
• Close-in fees: None
• Note: No changes or cancellations allowed to Flying Blue Promo Awards
• Policy

Air New Zealand Airpoints

• Change fee:
  • Flexichange and flexirefund: $0
  • Other other fare types: $50 NZD
  • Changes must be made prior to departure
• Cancellation and redeposit fee:
  • Free for flexirefund fares
  • Tickets are non-refundable for all other fare types
• Close-in fees: None
• Policy

Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan

• Change fee: Free
  • However, Saver fares cannot be changed
  • Ticket must be changed prior to departure or it's forfeited
• Cancellation and redeposit fee: Free
  • However, Saver fares cannot be changed
  • Ticket must be changed prior to departure or it's forfeited
• Close-in fees: None
• Other fees: Nonrefundable $12.50 per one-way itinerary for partner awards
• Policy

American Airlines AAdvantage

• Change fee: None; changes aren't possible (for most awards, at least)
• Cancellation and redeposit fee: Free
• Close-in fees: None
• Policy

ANA Mileage Club

• Change fee: Free, but changes must be at least 96 hours before departure
• Cancellation and redeposit fee:
  • Deduction of 3,000 miles
  • Ticket must be canceled prior to the first flight on the itinerary
• Close-in fees: None
• Policy

Asiana Club

• Change fee: $30 or 3,000 miles
• Cancellation and redeposit fee:
  • 91 or more days before departure: No fee
  • Within 12 months of ticketing: 3,000 miles or $30
  • More than 12 months from ticketing: 10,000 miles or $100
  • Domestic awards: 500 miles or 5,000 KRW
• Close-in fees: None
• Policy

Avianca LifeMiles

• Change fees:
  • $150 — only date changes allowed
• Cancellation and redeposit fees:
  • Single-region: $50
  • Multi-region: $200
  • Some awards are completely non-refundable
• Close-in fees: None
• Other fees: $10–25 award ticketing fee on award tickets
• No policy to reference directly

British Airways business class. Credit: British Airways

British Airways Avios

• Change fee:
  • Forefeit the taxes paid on your award or pay $55 per ticket
  • Note: This means it only costs $5.60–$11.20 to change or cancel a domestic award in the U.S.
• Cancellation and redeposit fee:
  • Forefeit the taxes paid on your award or pay $55 per ticket
  • Must cancel minimum 24 hours prior to departure
• Exceptions: Award ticket change and cancellation fees waived for BA Gold members
• Close-in fees: None
• Policy

Cathay Pacific Asia Miles

• Change fee:
  • Online: $50 or 7,500 miles
  • Additional fees if changed through other channels or changing more than just a flight date
  • No fees if changed or canceled within 24 hours of booking
• Cancellation and redeposit fee:
  • $120 USD or 17,000 Asia Miles — must submit through an online form
  • Ticket must be completely unused to be eligible for miles redeposit
  • No fees if changed or canceled within 24 hours of booking
• Close-in fees: None
• Policy

Delta SkyMiles

• Change fee:
  • Free for domestic itineraries and international itineraries originating in the U.S., Canada, Europe, Africa, and the Caribbean
  • Basic economy tickets, including awards, are non-changeable
• Cancellation and redeposit fee:
  • Free for domestic itineraries and most international itineraries
  • Some Basic Economy tickets can be canceled for a penalty assessed in SkyMiles
• Close-in fees: None
• Policy

Emirates Skywards

• Change fee:
  • Classic Saver awards: $25 (waived for infants)
  • Classic Flex Plus awards: Free
• Redeposit fee:
  • Classic Saver awards: $75 (waived for infants)
  • Classic Flex Plus awards: Free
• Close-in fees: None
• Policy

Etihad Guest

• Change fee:
  • AED 100 (~$27) for date changes
  • Must change or cancel at least 24 hours prior to departure
  • Route changes are not permitted; you must cancel and re-book
• Cancellation and redeposit fee:
  • 10% of total miles required for the award ticket
• Close-in fees: None
• Policy

Eva Air Infinity MileageLands

• Change fee: $50 (can only change date, booking class, or origin/departure cities)
• Cancellation and redeposit fee:
  • $50 if canceled prior to departure
  • $50 to redeposit after short-haul no-show
  • $100 to redeposit after long-haul no-show
• Exceptions: Award ticket change and cancellation fees waived for all elite members
• Close-in fees: None
• Policy

Frontier MyFrontier

• Date and city change fees:
  • 60+ days out: Free
  • 7–59 days before departure: $49
  • <7 days before departure: $99
• Cancellation and redeposit fee: $75
• Close-in fees:
  • 180+ days before travel: Free
  • 21–179 days before travel: $15
  • 7–20 days before travel: $50
  • <6 days before travel: $75
• Exceptions:
  • Close-in fees waived for elite members and Frontier credit cardholders
  • Cancellation fee waived for Last Seat Award flights
• Policy

Garuda Indonesia GarudaMiles

• Change fee:
  • 20% of award mileage
  • If change requires a reissued ticket, this costs another $20 through a Garuda sales office
  • Changes must be made prior to 4 hours before first flight departure
• Cancellation and redeposit fee:
  • 20% of award miles deducted from total refund
  • Cancellation must be made prior to 4 hours before first flight departure
• Close-in fees: None
• Policy

JAL MileageBank

• Change fee: None, changes not permitted
• Cancellation and redeposit fee: ¥3,100 (~$22 US)
• Close-in fees: None
• Policy

Credit: stevodisposable/Unsplash

JetBlue TrueBlue

• Change fee: Free for all fares except Blue Basic
• Cancellation and redeposit fee: Free for all fares except Blue Basic
• Close-in fees: None
• Notes:
  • Blue Basic fares cannot be booked with TrueBlue points
  • Paying fare difference is required when making changes to an award ticket
  • $25 nonrefundable per-person fee when changing or canceling via chat or on the phone, instead of online
• Policy

Korean Air SKYPASS

• Change fee:
  • KRW 30,000 (~$23 US) for international flights
  • No change fees for changes to domestic Korean flights
• Cancellation and redeposit fee:
  • If more than 90 days from departure: Free
  • Within 12 months of ticketing: 3,000 miles
  • If beyond 12 months from ticket issuance: 10,000 miles
  • Free if more than 90 days prior to departure; 3,000 miles if within 12 months of ticket being issued; 10,000 miles if beyond 12 months of issue date
  • Reduced award ticket cancellation fees for domestic Korean flights
• Close-in fees: None
• Policy

LATAM Pass

• Change fee:
  • Within Brazil: $60 or 6,000 miles
  • Within Chile: $40 or 5,700 miles
  • Within Colombia: $25 or 2,800 miles
  • Within Ecuador: $15 or 2,400 miles
  • Within Peru: $16 or 5,700 miles
  • Between South American countries: $75 or 9,400 miles
  • Between South America and U.S. destinations: $200 or 23,400 miles
  • All other international flights: $150 or 18,800 miles
  • Fees waived or Platinum, Black, and Black Signature elites
• Cancellation and redeposit fee:
  • Within Brazil: $65 or 6,000 miles
  • Within Chile: $60 or 5,700 miles
  • Within Colombia: $30 or 2,800 miles
  • Within Ecuador: $25 or 2,400 miles
  • Within Peru: $60 or 5,700 miles
  • Between South American countries: $100 or 9,400 miles
  • Between South America and U.S. destinations: $250 or 23,400 miles
  • All other international flights: $200 or 18,800 miles
  • Fees waived or Platinum, Black, and Black Signature elites
• Close-in fees: None
• Other fees: Call center booking fee of $50 (between South America and other continents) or $30 (within South America)
• Policy

Lufthansa Miles & More

• Change fee:
  • Standard awards: €50 per person (applies only to date and time changes; other changes require cancellation)
  • Same-day awards: €150
• Cancellation and redeposit fee:
  • €50 or 10,000 miles per person
• Close-in fees: None
• Policy

Qantas Frequent Flyer

• Change fee:
  • 5,000 points
  • Change must be completed at least 24 hours prior to departure of the first flight
• Cancellation and redeposit fee:
  • 6,000 points
  • Cancellation must be completed at least 24 hours prior to departure of the first flight
• Close-in fees: None
• Other fees: Additional fees are assessed if changes are made via a Qantas call center
• Policy

Qatar Airways Privilege Club

• Change fees:
  • More than 24 hours from departure: $25
  • Between 3 and 24 hours before departure: $100
  • Changes can't be made within 3 hours of departure; only taxes are refunded
• Cancellation and redeposit fees:
  • More than 24 hours from departure: $25
  • Between 3 and 24 hours before departure: $100
  • Cancelations can't be made within 3 hours of departure; only taxes are refunded
• Exceptions: Fees waived for Gold & Platinum Elites for tickets in their name
• Close-in fees: None
• Policy

SAS EuroBonus

• Change fees:
  • Short-haul SAS Bonus tickets: €25/$25
  • Long-haul SAS Bonus tickets: €75/$75
  • Award flights must be changed at least 1 hour prior to departure
  • No fees for SAS Go Pro, SAS Plus Pro, and SAS Business Pro tickets
  • 650 SEK (~$61) change fee for other ticket types
• Cancellation and redeposit fee: 
  • Short-haul SAS Bonus tickets: €25/$25
  • Long-haul SAS Bonus tickets: €75/$75
  • Award flights must be canceled at least 1 hour prior to departure
  • No fees for SAS Go Pro, SAS Plus Pro, and SAS Business Pro tickets
  • 650 SEK (~$61) cancellation fee for other ticket types
• Other fees: Additional fees may apply if rebooking through other channels, depending on the change and your level of elite status
• Close-in fees: None
• Policy

Credit: J.T. Genter/AwardWallet

Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer

• Change fee:
  • Date change only (Singapore- & Silk Air-operated flights)
    • Saver award: $25
    • Advantage award: Free
  • Route, cabin class, or award type change fee (Singapore- & Silk Air-operated flights): $25
  • Partner-operated flight changes: $50
• Cancellation and redeposit fee:
  • Saver: $75
  • Advantage: $50
• Other fees:
  • If you no-show a flight, an additional charge to redeposit is levied:
    • Economy, per ticket: $100
    • Premium economy, per ticket: $200
    • Business or First, per ticket: $300
  • Service fee of $25 or 2,500 miles if booking via phone or in person
  • Service fee of $250 for new Star Alliance Round-the-World redemption bookings
• Close-in fee: None
• Policy

Spirit Airlines Free Spirit

• Change fee: $110
• Cancellation and redeposit fee: $110
• Close-in fee: None
• Notes: Changes can be made up to 1 hour before departure. Cancellation must be completed prior to departure.
• Policy

Starlux COSMILE

• Change, cancellation and redeposit fees:
  • Short-haul first class: $120
  • Short-haul other cabins: $30
  • Long-haul first class: $200
  • Long-haul other cabins: $30
• Note: Cabin changes aren't allowed
• Close-in fee: None
• Policy

Southwest Rapid Rewards

• Change fee: None
• Cancellation and redeposit fee: None
• Note: As a revenue-based program, you'll pay the award cost difference upon canceling and rebooking.
• Policy

Turkish Airlines Miles & Smiles

• Change Fee:
  • Türkiye domestic flights: TRY 150
  • International itineraries: $70
  • Note that some awards seem to still have lower change fees through the call center (e.g. $25 for domestic United awards booked with Miles & Smiles)
  • Must change prior to departure.
• Cancellation and redeposit fee:
  • Türkiye domestic flights: TRY 150
    • If you no-show: TRY 200
  • International itineraries: $70
    • If you no-show: $150
  • Note that some awards seem to still have lower change fees through the call center (e.g., $50 for domestic United awards booked with Miles & Smiles)
• Policy

United Airlines MileagePlus

• Change fee: None
• Cancellation and redeposit fee: None
• Close-in fees: None
• Note: If you no-show, you can redeposit miles for a $125 fee.
• Policy

Virgin Atlantic Flying Club

• Change fee: £30 for flights departing the U.K. and $50 for flights departing the U.S./other international locations
• Cancellation and redeposit fee: £30 for flights departing the U.K. and $50 for flights departing the U.S./other international locations
• Policy

Final Thoughts

Comparing the North American airline award ticket change and cancellation policies with those from the rest of the world, U.S. carriers have surprisingly become some of the most consumer-friendly. Airlines in the Middle East and Asia are pretty easy on the wallet, too. In fact, post-COVID-19, only a handful of carriers will stick it to you if you need to change or cancel an award.

If you miss the award change cutoff and it looks like you’ll be out of pocket, check the travel coverage on the credit card you used to pay the award ticket's taxes and fees. Importantly, you may already be covered under your card’s complimentary travel insurance. Worst case, you should look to use the best credit card for incidental travel fees. This is because it could be the fastest way for you to minimize the hit to your wallet.

If you have any questions about the policies above or want to see another program's award ticket change and cancellation policies added to the list, reach out via the comments below.

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