Alaska Airlines’ cancellation policy varies by fare type, booking timing, and applicable regulations. Here’s a concise overview based on the latest information:
24-Hour Cancellation Policy: You can cancel any flight within 24 hours of booking for a full refund without fees, provided the booking is made at least 7 days (168 hours) before departure. This applies to all fare types, including non-refundable Saver fares, for tickets purchased directly through Alaska Airlines’ website, app, call center, or ticket counter. This aligns with U.S. DOT regulations.
After 24 Hours:
- Refundable Fares (Main Cabin, First Class, some award tickets): Can be canceled anytime before departure for a full refund to the original payment method, with no fees. Tickets must be issued by Alaska Airlines, not be part of group/vacation packages, and not older than one year from purchase (or outbound travel date for partially used tickets).
- Non-Refundable Fares (Main Cabin, First Class): Cancellations after 24 hours receive a travel credit (valid for one year from the original outbound travel date) minus a $125 USD fee per person, plus any fare difference. No cash refunds are issued.
- Saver Fares: For tickets purchased on or after July 19, 2023, cancellations at least 14 days before departure receive a 50% credit of the ticket value (plus full taxes/fees). Within 14 days, no credits or refunds are issued, except taxes. No-show forfeits the entire fare.
- No-Show Policy: If you don’t cancel or change before departure, all segments are canceled, and non-refundable fare value is forfeited. Notify Alaska before departure to retain credit for future travel.
Airline-Initiated Cancellations or Schedule Changes: If Alaska cancels a flight or changes the schedule by 1+ hour, you’re entitled to:
- A full refund to the original payment method, even for non-refundable tickets, or a travel credit.
- Rebooking on the next available Alaska flight or a Oneworld/partner airline in a comparable cabin at no cost.
- For delays/cancellations causing a 3+ hour wait, Alaska provides meal vouchers (vendor availability permitting). Overnight delays include hotel accommodations and ground transport, or reimbursement for reasonable expenses.
- For EU departures, under Regulation 261/2004, compensation of €250–€600 may apply if notified less than 14 days before departure, unless due to extraordinary circumstances (e.g., weather, strikes).
Special Circumstances:
- Medical or Bereavement: Refunds or fee waivers may be granted for documented emergencies, subject to approval. Contact customer service.
- COVID-19 (Historical): For bookings between February 27, 2020, and April 30, 2021, Peace of Mind Waivers allowed fee-free cancellations. Currently, no specific COVID-19 waivers apply, but standard policies may be adjusted for restrictions.
- Award Tickets: Can be canceled before departure with miles redeposited to your Mileage Plan account, no fees. Partner booking fees ($12.50) are non-refundable.
How to Cancel:
- By Phone: Call +1-877-240-6770 (U.S.) for assistance, especially for complex bookings or if online cancellation isn’t available.
- Travel Agency: If booked through an agent, cancellations must be processed through them.
- Airport: Visit an Alaska Airlines ticket counter for last-minute cancellations.
Refund Process:
- Refunds for credit card purchases are processed within 7 business days; cash/check refunds take up to 20 days.
- Travel credits are stored in your Alaska Airlines My Wallet, valid for one year.
- Taxes and fees are refundable for unused tickets, even for non-refundable fares.
- Refund requests are valid up to one year from ticket issuance or outbound travel date for partially used tickets.
Additional Notes:
- Always check fare rules at booking, as they dictate eligibility and fees. Saver fares are restrictive to keep prices low.
- EU/UK flights are protected by EC 261/2004, but U.S. domestic flights rely on DOT rules and Alaska’s policies.
- For same-day changes, fees are $25–$50 (waived for MVP Gold/75K/100K or intra-Alaska/California travel), but Saver fares are ineligible.
