What is the 24-hour cancellation rule for airlines?
The 24-hour cancellation rule in the US (DOT regulation) states that airlines must allow passengers to cancel a ticket within 24 hours of booking for a full refund, provided the booking was made at least 7 days before the flight departure date.
This applies to:
• All US airlines
• All bookings made on a US airline's website
• All flights to/from the USA
How to use it:
1. Book your flight
2. If you change your mind, cancel within 24 hours of booking
3. Request a full refund to your original payment method
4. The airline must process this without any cancellation fee
This rule only applies in the US. European and other airlines may have different policies — many budget carriers like Ryanair do not offer refunds at all for voluntary cancellations except under specific flex fares.