Philippine Airlines (PAL), the national carrier of the Philippines, has a cancellation policy that varies by fare type, booking method, and applicable regulations. Below is a concise overview based on the latest available information as of June 24, 2025:
24-Hour Cancellation Policy:
- You can cancel any flight booked directly through PAL’s website , mobile app, or ticket office within 24 hours of booking for a full refund, provided the flight departs at least 7 days later (168 hours or more). This applies to all fare types, including non-refundable tickets, and aligns with U.S. DOT regulations for flights to/from the U.S.
- No cancellation fees are charged within this period, and the refund is credited to the original payment method.
General Cancellation Rules:
- Fully Refundable Fares: Economy Flex and Business Flex tickets can be canceled anytime before departure for a full refund, with no cancellation fees.
- Partially Refundable Fares: Economy Saver, Premium Economy, and Business Value tickets, if completely unused, are eligible for a partial refund after a cancellation fee. Fees vary by route:
- USA–Philippines: USD 100 (unused) or USD 250 (partially used).
- Canada–Philippines: CAD 100 (unused) or CAD 250 (partially used).
- London–Philippines: GBP 100 (unused) or GBP 200 (partially used).
- Australia–Philippines: AUD 35 (unused) or AUD 190 (partially used).
- Non-Refundable Fares: Economy Supersaver, and partially used Economy Saver, Premium Economy, or Business Value tickets are non-refunded. No refund is issued for partially used tickets of these fare types.
- No-Show: If you fail to cancel at least 1 day before departure and miss your flight, you’re considered a no-show, incur a fee (amount varies by route), and lose the ticket value unless you have a valid reason (e.g., medical emergency). Notify PAL in advance to avoid the no-show fee.
- Cancellation Deadline: Cancellations must be made at least 3 hours before departure to be eligible for refunds or changes.
Special Circumstances:
- Medical Emergencies or Bereavement: Refunds or fee waivers may be granted for medical emergencies or death of a passenger/close family member, with documentation (e.g., medical certificate, death certificate).
- COVID-19 or Geopolitical Disruptions: For cancellations due to restrictions or regional tensions (e.g., June 2025 Middle East flight cancellations), passengers can choose refunds, rebooking without fees, or travel credits. Refunds are preferred over vouchers due to limited validity (e.g., 2 years).
- Third-Party Bookings: If booked via agents (e.g., Expedia, Kayak), cancellations must be processed through the agent, and their fees may apply. The 24-hour refund policy may not apply.
Refund Processing:
- Refunds for credit card payments take 7 business days; cash/check payments take up to 20 business days. Delays up to 6–8 weeks have been reported due to high request volumes.
- Refunds are credited to the original payment method, minus applicable fees. For non-refunded tickets, travel credits or Mabuhay Miles may be offered.
- Vouchers, if accepted, are valid for 2 years and non-transferable.
