Every Airlines Award Ticket Cancellation and Exchange Policies

Redeeming your points for flights is pretty straightforward. You just check the box that lets you search with points, and after that, your journey will be identical to if you used cash. There is 1 major difference, and it varies depending on the frequent flyer program, but it seriously affects how customers purchase tickets. This is the cancellation and exchange policy.

Each airline has its own policies for award tickets, but there’s a clear trend: the more flexible programs have attracted significantly more members. This is a fact, as the four most profitable frequent flyer programs in the world all offer the most generous policies: free changes and cancellations.

It is critical you know these things as they will affect your purchasing decisions, and even the credit card you get.

I'll start by providing a straightforward list of the top programs policies, and will explain each one after.

A few things to note

• A cancellation would refund your miles, programs differ from immediately redeposiing your miles, to it taking a few days.
• An exchange refers to when you are changing your flight, the fees do not account for any mileage changes, as those are charged independently (i.e. changing from a flight that was 20,000 miles to 30,000 miles, you obviously will also be charged the difference of 10,000, and vice versa)

Each frequent flyer program differs in policy, we will adress the uneique ones now.

• If a program isn't listed here but is in the list above, assume the cancellation period is valid up until time of departure.
• Many programs offer special cancellation fees and timing if you have status with them or within their alliance.
• These fees apply to the program which you book from, not the airline which you fly. So you will be charged AirCanadas fees on any flight you book on Aeroplan, even if its a partner redemption

-Must change or cancel at least 2 hours before departure or forfeit points.
-Free changes must be made at least 96 hours out.

-No cancellation or change fees, but a $12.50 nonrefundable partner booking fee applies.

-Fees vary by route, with $50 for short-haul economy and up to $200 for long-haul business.
-Cancellations are allowed both 24 hours before or after departure, but not within that time period.

-Can cancel for $55 or forfeit taxes. On some routes where taxes are ~$5.60, forfeiting taxes is better, but on flights departing London for example, taxs can be updards of $700 so the standard fee is much better.
-Must change tickets at least 24 hours before departure.

-You can cancel even after departure.
-For their change fee: $50 or 7,500 miles, and the cancel fee: $120 or 17,000 miles — paying cash is always better value.

Very strict.
-No cancellations within 24 hours of departure.
-If you cancel >21 days out: you are charged 25% of the total miles.
-If you cancel 8–21 days out: 50% of miles.
-If you cancel <7 days out: 75% of miles.

If you want to fly Etihad, we would reccomend you book them through one of their partners

-Must cancel or change at least 24 hours before departure or forfeit the ticket.

-Must cancel at least 24 hours before departure or forfeit points.
-Cannot change or cancel partner awards, so it's best to just avoid partner bookings.

-Same as Finnair, you must cancel or change at least 24 hours before departure.

-No changes or cancellations within 3 hours of departure, if you do you’ll only get a refund on taxes and fees.

-Must cancel at least 24 hours before departure or points are forfeited.

Although the most popular frequent flyer programs tend to offer the most flexible change and cancellation policies, it’s interesting how some airlines with stricter rules, like Air Canada Aeroplan and Qatar Privilege Club, still have strong, loyal followings. That says a lot about the overall strength of those programs beyond just ticket flexibility.

Personally, I always recommend knowing these policies before you book. No one ever plans to change a flight, but if it happens, you don’t want to be hit with a surprise $200 fee. For some travelers, learning how different these rules are might be reason enough to switch programs—and even swap out your co-branded credit card. I’ve stuck with U.S. airlines from the beginning, and I’m glad I did.

At the end of the day, points are personal. We all value them differently, but no one wants to waste them.