Surinam Airways (PY), the national carrier of Suriname, has a cancellation policy that varies by fare type, booking channel, and timing. Below is a concise overview based on the latest information from their official website.
24-Hour Risk-Free Cancellation:
- You can cancel any flight within 24 hours of booking for a full refund to the original payment method, provided the flight departs at least 7 days (168 hours) later, per U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and Airlines Reporting Corporation (ARC) rules for bookings from the U.S. or Canada. This applies to all fare types (refundable and non-refundable) except promotional fares, group bookings (10+ passengers), and tickets booked with mileage points or travel vouchers.
- No cancellation fees apply, and refunds are processed within 7–10 business days, though delays up to 60 days have been reported.
After 24 Hours:
- Refundable Tickets: Fully refundable fares can be canceled with no fee, and the full amount is returned to the original payment method, subject to fare rules.
- Non-Refundable Tickets: Cancellations after 24 hours incur a $200 USD cancellation fee per passenger, regardless of fare type or class of service. The remaining balance, if any, is refunded to the original payment method or issued as a travel credit (validity not specified). If the fee exceeds the ticket value, no refund or credit is issued.
- Cancellation Deadline: Cancellations must be made at least 1 hour before departure to be eligible for a refund or credit.
- No-Show Policy: Failing to cancel before departure results in forfeiture of the entire ticket value, with no refund or credit issued.
- Other Airlines (OAL) Segments: For codeshare flights operated by other carriers, the most restrictive fare rules apply, which may differ from Surinam’s policy
Cancellation Process:
- Phone: Call Surinam Airways at +1-877-240-6770. Provide your reservation number. A service fee may apply for phone cancellations.
- In-Person: Visit a Surinam Airways ticket counter or kiosk at the airport (e.g., Johan Adolf Pengel International Airport, PBM) with booking details.
- Third-Party Bookings: Cancellations must be processed through the travel agency (e.g., Alternative Airlines, KAYAK). Refunds are handled by the agency, which may impose additional fees.
- Refunds are credited to the original payment method within 7–10 business days, but delays up to 60 days are noted. Travel credits, if issued, are managed via the “Manage Booking” section.
Special Circumstances:
- Airline-Canceled Flights:
- If Surinam Airways cancels a flight due to reasons within their control (e.g., technical issues), you’re entitled to a full refund (including non-refunded fares) or rebooking on the next available flight. If no flight is available, the airline may arrange accommodation near the airport.
- For flights departing from the EU (e.g., Amsterdam), EC 261 regulations apply, offering up to €600 ($650) in compensation for cancellations with less than 14 days’ notice, unless caused by extraordinary circumstances (e.g., weather, air traffic control strikes). Compensation is based on flight distance: €250 (≤1,500 km), €400 (1,500–3,500 km), €600 (>3,500 km). Non-EU flights are not covered by EC 261.
- Delays: For delays over 3 hours at the destination due to carrier reasons on EU departures, you may cancel for a refund or claim EC 261 compensation (€250–€600). No compensation applies for non-EU flights or extraordinary circumstances.
- Medical or Extenuating Circumstances: Refunds may be granted for emergencies (e.g., serious illness, death of a family member) with documentation, but this is not explicitly detailed in the policy.
- Pregnancy: If your due date is within 4 weeks of travel, a doctor’s certificate confirming fitness to fly is required. No specific refund policy for pregnancy-related cancellations is mentioned.
