If you've ever hesitated booking a flight – asking yourself “What if the price goes down later?” or “What if I can't get these dates off work?” – you need to learn to book now … and ask questions later.

Thanks to a rule established by the U.S. Department of Transportation, you can cancel any flight to, from, or within the U.S. within 24 hours booking for a full refund – not just a voucher or travel credit. It doesn't matter which airline you're flying or where you're going: So long as the flight touches U.S. soil, you have up to 24 hours to cancel it for free and get your money back

This little-known rule can be a powerful tool for travelers, especially when it comes to booking cheap flights.

Let's say you stumble on an amazing deal using Google Flights or maybe even get an alert from Thrifty Traveler Premium for a $130 roundtrip mistake fare to Dublin (DUB), but aren't sure whether the dates will work. Don't wait: Book the flight, lock in the cheap fare, then use the next 24 hours to figure out the logistics and whether you can take the trip.

So long as you cancel within that window, the airline has to give you a full refund. There are some caveats to this little-known rule, though.

So read on for everything you need to know about putting it to use. 

 

 

How the 24-Hour Rule Works

Airlines are legally required by the DOT to refund you if you cancel a flight within 24 hours of booking. It's non-negotiable.

There are a few exceptions – more on those later. But this federal rule applies to all airlines that operate flights to, from, or within the U.S., including international carriers.

So after booking virtually any flight, you have up to 24 hours to cancel and get a full refund without paying any additional fees. It doesn't even matter what type of ticket you purchase, whether it's a pricy first class fare or the cheapest basic economy ticket.

 

24-hour rule policy on delta's website
Delta's cancellation policy

 

But the federal government allows airlines to decide between offering a 24-hour cancellation policy or the option to hold a current price for free for 24.

Most airlines opt for the 24-hour refund, but a few offer a hold, allowing you to freeze the current price before booking. That gives you time to check for cheaper fares or confirm travel plans before you have to pay anything.

Once you commit to purchasing the ticket, everything can be completed online. Before the 24-hour hold is up, you'll need to pay for your ticket or it will be canceled. 

 

qatar airways hold options for fares
Qatar Airways features up to 72-hour holds

 

What to Watch For

Before you grab that hot flight deal, there are a couple of things to look out for:

  • Book directly with the airlines: Strictly speaking, the 24-hour rule only applies to tickets booked directly with the airline. So it's always best to search using Google Flights, and then book direct if there's any possibility your plans may change.
  • Some OTAs follow it, others don't: Travel agencies are not subject to the same DOT law as airlines. If you’re booking airfare through a third party, double-check their cancellation policies before booking. The good news is that most major online travel agencies like Priceline and Expedia typically offer 24-hour cancellations. Smaller ones found through Momondo and Skyscanner generally don't, so beware. 
  • You might have (slightly) more than 24 hours to cancel! While 24 hours is the law of the land, many airlines actually give customers until the end of the day after booking. For example, Delta says your cancellation “must be made by midnight of the day after the (ticket) is purchased.”
  • This is an either/or rule: Airlines generally don't offer both a hold and a 24-hour cancellation window, and they typically don’t work together.
  • Miles are not mentioned: Though many airlines refund rewards or miles too, this is not explicitly required by the DOT rule. Make sure to understand your carrier's rules before booking an award ticket. Generally speaking, mileage bookings are more flexible than cash bookings anyway. 

 

Exceptions to the 24-Hour Rule

While the 24-hour rule covers nearly any flight you can book, there are some important exceptions.

Notably, flights booked very close to departure may not be eligible for a full refund even within 24 hours. The DOT's guidelines officially say that this policy is only necessary for flights booked at least seven days before departure.

That said, some airlines are more generous. Here's how each of the major U.S. airlines approaches these last-minute bookings:

  • Alaska: Must be booked at least 24 hours prior to departure.
  • American: Must be booked at least two days prior to departure.
  • Delta: The 24-hour rule applies to all bookings.
  • JetBlue: Must be booked at least a week prior to departure.
  • Southwest: The 24-hour rule applies to all bookings.
  • United: Must be booked at least a week prior to departure.

Read more: Why Delta & Southwest are Best for Booking Backup Flights

Be sure to read up on your airline's individual policy before buying your ticket to know whether you're in the clear to cancel for a full refund before booking a fairly last-minute flight.

Miss the cut? While you might not be eligible for a full refund if you change your plans more than 24 hours after booking, most airlines are now offering free cancellation for a voucher – as long as you book at least a main cabin fare. That means if you want even more flexibility, you'll want to avoid basic economy.

 

Bottom Line

Whether you're flying within the U.S. or heading abroad, you'll (almost) always have a 24-hour window to cancel your flight and get a full refund. Remember that next time you see a great flight deal – and book it before it disappears.

We have a mantra here: “The hotter the deal, the shorter it lasts.” The 24-hour cancellation rule allows you to book now and ask questions later. So book the flight!