Aerolineas Argentinas' cancellation policy based on the most relevant and up-to-date information available:
24-Hour Risk-Free Cancellation: You can cancel any flight within 24 hours of booking and receive a full refund, provided the flight departs at least 7 days later (168 hours). This applies to all fare types and is supported by the Airlines Reporting Corporation (ARC) for tickets booked in the United States. No cancellation fees are charged during this period.
Cancellations After 24 Hours:
- Non-Refundable Tickets (Base Fare): If canceled after the 24-hour window, cancellation fees typically range from USD 100 to USD 400, depending on the route, fare type, and timing. No refund is available for the ticket fare, though unused taxes may be refunded.
- Refundable Tickets (Plus, Flex, Premium Economy): These fares allow cancellations with potential refunds after fees, which also range from USD 100 to USD 400. Premium Economy fares may allow changes or cancellations without extra costs, even after the risk-free period, though fare differences may apply if rebooking.
- Cancellations within 2 hours of departure incur higher fees, often a significant portion of the ticket fare.
Airline-Initiated Cancellations: If Aerolineas Argentinas cancels your flight due to technical issues, weather, or other reasons, you’re entitled to a full refund or rebooking on the next available flight without additional fees. If the cancellation is within 14 days of departure and the airline is at fault (e.g., not due to extraordinary circumstances like severe weather), you may be eligible for compensation up to €600 under EU Regulation EC 261/2004 for flights departing from EU airports (e.g., Madrid or Rome).
Special Circumstances:
- Medical Emergencies: If you cancel due to a medical emergency, you may receive a full refund with proper documentation (e.g., a medical certificate). Contact the airline directly to process such requests.
- COVID-19 Policies: For tickets affected by the pandemic (especially those issued from March 15, 2020), Aerolineas Argentinas offered flexible rebooking without penalties or fare differences for travel up to December 15, 2021 (domestic) or June 30/September 30, 2022 (regional/international). Refunds for cancellations during this period were also fully processed, even for non-refundable tickets. Check current policies, as these may have expired.
How to Cancel:
- Phone: Contact customer service at +1-877-240-6770 (Argentina) or regional numbers (e.g., +1-877-240-6770 for the US, though verify legitimacy). Be prepared for potential wait times or dropped calls.
- In-Person: Visit an Aerolineas Argentinas ticket counter at the airport.
- Travel Agents: If booked through a third party, contact the agent directly, though additional fees may apply.
Refunds:
- Refunds for eligible cancellations are processed to the original payment method, typically within 7–20 days (7 days for credit card payments per US DOT rules, 20 days for cash/check).
- Refunds must be requested within the ticket’s validity period (12 months from issuance).
- Reward or promotional tickets may not be refundable online and require direct contact with the airline.
Additional Notes:
- Always check fare rules at booking, as fees and refund eligibility vary by ticket type, route, and cabin class (e.g., standard, business, premium economy).
- For EU departures, EC 261/2004 protections apply, but flights departing outside the EU (e.g., from Argentina) are not covered by these regulations.
- Customer service experiences can vary, with some reports of delays or unresponsiveness, especially for refunds. Persistence or using services like AirHelp or AirAdvisor may help with compensation claims.
