Saudia (Saudi Arabian Airlines), the national carrier of Saudi Arabia, has a cancellation policy that varies by fare type, booking method, and applicable regulations, including U.S. DOT rules for U.S.-related flights and EU/UK Regulation (EC) 261/2004 for EU/UK departures.
24-Hour Cancellation Policy:
- You can cancel any flight booked directly through Saudia’s website (www.saudia.com), mobile app, call center, or sales offices 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-refunded fares (e.g., Guest Basic, Economy Saver), and aligns with U.S. DOT regulations for U.S.-related bookings. No cancellation fees apply.
- Eligible payment methods for refunds include cash, check, SADAD, SPAN, VISA, or MasterCard. Refunds are issued to the original payment method.
- For AlFursan (Saudia’s frequent flyer program) members, cancellations can be made via the AlFursan portal: log in, go to “My Trips,” select the itinerary, and click “Cancel Reservation.”
General Cancellation Rules:
- Refundable Fares (e.g., Guest Flex, Business Flex, First Class): Fully refundable with no cancellation fees if canceled before departure. The full fare, including taxes, is refunded to the original payment method.
- Non-Refunded Fares (e.g., Guest Basic, Economy Saver): After the 24-hour window, cancellations incur fees ranging from USD 100–500, depending on fare type, route, and timing (e.g., domestic vs. international, time before departure). Only taxes/fees may be refunded after deductions.
- No-Show Penalty: If you fail to cancel before departure, you’ll incur a no-show fee (amount varies by fare rules), and the ticket value is forfeited, with only taxes refundable. Cancel via Saudia’s website or sales offices to avoid this penalty.
- Ticket Validity: Tickets are valid for 1 year from issuance. Refunds are not permitted after this period.
- Reissued Tickets: Non-refunded reissued tickets must be canceled at a Saudia sales office, not online.
- Lost Tickets: Refunds for lost tickets are held for 90 days and may take up to 45 days to process.
Special Circumstances:
- Bereavement or Illness: Full refunds without fees are available for the death of a passenger or immediate family member, with documentation (e.g., death certificate). Serious illness may also qualify, subject to verification. Contact Saudia’s Guest Care Center.
- Visa Denials: Refunds are subject to fare conditions and not guaranteed, even for non-refunded tickets. Check ticket terms before booking.
- Third-Party Bookings: Cancellations must be processed through the agent (e.g., Cleartrip, FondTravels), and the 24-hour policy may not apply. Additional fees (e.g., Rs 250–500 per passenger via Cleartrip) may be charged.
- Hajj/Umrah Visas: Guests with Hajj/Umrah visas on codeshare flights (6xxx series) operated by other airlines via Riyadh, Dammam, or Yanbu may face restrictions, potentially affecting cancellations.
Refund Processing:
- Credit card refunds take 7 business days; cash, check, or other methods take up to 20 days. Adjustments (e.g., reissued tickets) may take 45 days.
- Refunds are issued to the original payment method. Non-refunded fares refund only taxes/fees after cancellation charges.
- A Reddit user reported a full refund within 1–2 weeks after canceling within 24 hours, despite an initial receipt showing a fee, suggesting occasional system errors but policy compliance.
Customer Feedback:
- Passengers praise the 24-hour cancellation window but report issues with unclear fee displays online and slow customer service responses (e.g., long hold times).
- Guest Flex fares are not explicitly free of cancellation fees, causing confusion for visa-related bookings (e.g., Schengen applications). Check fare rules carefully.
- Third-party cancellations (e.g., via Cleartrip) incur extra fees, and refund delays up to 45 days are common.
