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How to Refund a Plane Ticket

2 minute read

Booked the wrong connection? Each airline gives customers 24 hours to cancel and change their ticket, without penalty. And we’ve got the details.

Though it’s not something widely publicized, the airline industry actually has a consumer-friendly policy. To help you out, we’ve compiled a quick chart of all the airlines’ policies and any stipulations you might want to be aware of when booking your ticket. If you learn to play your cards right, you can even hold a flight for 48 hours before you decide to change your mind. Shh, it’s my dirty little secret.

Airline Time Period Stipulations AirTran 24 hours Up to one hour before departure. Alaska 24 hours May also make free change to ticket. American* 24 hours It’s not a 24-hour refund policy in the truest sense; instead they offer a 24-hour hold period for itineraries booked up to seven days in advance. Delta 24 hours Must originate and depart from the United States or its surrounding nearby territories. Frontier 24 hours JetBlue 24 hours Flight must be purchased more than a week in advance. Can only choose to change or cancel reservation, but not both. Southwest 24 hours Spirit 24 hours Flight must be purchased more than a week in advance. United 24 hours Possible to hold for 48 hours using this cash trick. US Airways 24 hours Doesn’t apply to award tickets. Virgin America 24 hours

This article originally appeared on Map Happy.

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