How Much Does it Cost to Cancel a Flight Without Travel Insurance?
The night before an exciting trip, no one wants to be researching questions like, “Can I get a refund if I cancel a non-refundable flight?” However, the unfortunate reality is that accidents and illnesses happen, and sometimes, you’re left facing steep flight cancellation fees or, worse, losing out on the entire cost of your plane ticket. If you’re flying with a partner or with family, those expenses can multiply — fast.
While refundable tickets always sound great in hindsight, most seasoned flyers avoid the upcharge that comes with them in favor of nonrefundable options. Not to mention, some carriers don’t even offer refundable tickets, but still enforce strict airline cancellation policies. So, in the event you are unable to make your flight, you’re probably wondering: How much does it cost to cancel a flight without insurance?
Let’s break down what you need to know about airline refund policies and flight change fees before you fly.
Understanding Airline Cancellation Policies
To answer the question, “How much does it cost to cancel a flight without insurance,” you need to begin with the basics of refundable vs. non-refundable flights. Policies vary significantly by airline, but most flights — especially those booked with economy or budget airlines, such as Spirit — are typically non-refundable. For younger travelers on a budget, these limited refund options can prove especially restrictive.
When refundable flights are available, the cost is often refunded back to the original purchase method. Non-refundable tickets, however, are often subject to strict airline cancellation policies. Most carriers, including Delta, United, and American Airlines, only provide a 24-hour grace period after the ticket is purchased for free cancellations. This means that cancellations after that 24-hour window are subject to airline penalties.
In very specific cases, such as a natural disaster or family death, some airlines may permit travelers to cancel non-refundable tickets free of charge. However, these instances are approved on a case-by-case basis, typically by calling the airline directly. For older travelers, these policies can cause unnecessary financial strain, though family travelers with multiple tickets can face an even higher cumulative loss.
How Much Does it Cost to Cancel a Non-Refundable Flight?
Now that we’ve covered the basics of airline refund policies, let’s tackle another common question: How much is a flight cancellation fee for a non-refundable ticket? The actual monetary loss will vary depending on several factors, including the time of cancellation, fare type, and specific airline policy:
- The closer to the departure date, the higher the flight cancellation fees. This can result in costly losses for senior travelers who may encounter unexpected health issues.
- The more luxurious the fare class, the more expensive the flight cancellation fees. This can add up for family travelers who are canceling multiple upgraded tickets.
- The stricter the airline, the more severe the flight cancellation fees. This can impact young, lower-cost adventurers who have limited budgets for their spontaneous trips.
Exact airline cancellation fees range from $75 to $400. For instance, Spirit Airlines previously charged between $69 and $119 for flight cancellations, depending on how many days were left before departure, whereas Emirates can charge up to $200 to cancel a trip. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, most airlines have adopted policies to convert ticket values into points that can be used to purchase a new flight.
Beyond airline cancellation fees, most carriers also impose flight change fees if you cannot complete your trip as planned. Like cancellation fees, flight change fees vary by provider, but often range from $25 to $200, plus the difference between fares if your new flight is more expensive than your old one. For example, American Airlines same-day flight change fees begin at $60, whereas it’s a set $75 to change a Delta flight.
Alternative Options for Minimizing Cancellation Costs Without Insurance
If you’ve recently purchased non-refundable tickets or plan to in the near future, travel insurance cancellation coverage is the best way to eliminate the worry of cancellation fees. However, there are a handful of options for minimizing cancellation costs without insurance. Some of those strategies include:
- Canceling within the 24-hour grace period. If you are traveling domestically, there should be no cancellation fees 24 hours after booking, even for non-refundable tickets.
- Requesting credit or a voucher from the airline. Most airlines will convert your ticket value into points you can use at a later date, which can save costs for family travelers.
- Rebooking flights for a future date. Retain the value of your plane ticket minus the flight change fees if you rebook your trip, which can benefit younger travelers with tight budgets.
- Using loyalty programs to avoid flight change fees. Elite status or similar tiers on airline loyalty programs often include more flexible cancellation policies, saving money for seniors.
How Does Travel Insurance Help with Flight Cancellations?
If you want to avoid hefty cancellation fees, err on the side of caution and purchase travel insurance with cancellation coverage. Standard trip cancellation insurance reimburses non-refundable travel costs if you cancel for covered reasons, like illness, injury, or severe weather. This means you receive a refund for canceled flights, with the flexibility to reschedule whenever you want — without any additional change fees.
If you decide to reschedule the moment you cancel your original flight for a covered reason, standard trip cancellation insurance also includes change fee coverage, which reimburses you for out-of-pocket expenses involved in changing the dates. You can also upgrade to Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) insurance, which offers broader flexibility for flight cancellations at a higher upfront premium.
Overall, trip cancellation insurance offers all traveler types several perks:
- For senior travelers, trip cancellation insurance offers peace of mind, especially when health concerns or medical emergencies are common reasons for trip cancellations.
- For family travelers, family travel insurance with trip cancellation coverage can apply to every member of the family, helping to protect the total expenses of a vacation.
- For young adventurers, the affordability and flexibility of travel insurance plans allow for spontaneous vacations with the confidence that you can cancel at the last minute.
So, is it worth getting travel insurance for flight cancellations? All signs point to yes, regardless of your age, destination, or travel group size!
Aegis offers a variety of travel insurance plans designed to fit the needs of any vacationer or trip type, no matter how far your journey takes you — especially if you need to cancel before you get there in the first place.
Explore Aegis travel insurance plans today!