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Airline Award Cancellation Fees Guide 2025
Compare cancellation and change fees across all major airlines when booking award tickets with miles or points
Why Cancellation Fees Matter
Award ticket cancellation policies vary dramatically between airlines. While some airlines charge modest fees or waive them for elite members, others can charge hundreds of dollars or forfeit your miles entirely. Understanding these policies before booking can save you significant money and miles.
Below, we've compiled the most comprehensive guide to airline award cancellation fees, including elite status benefits and partner booking policies.
British Airways
Avios
£35 flat fee all routes, free for Gold members
Qatar Airways
Avios
$25-$100 based on timing, free for Platinum/Gold
Virgin Atlantic
Virgin Points
$100/£50 flat fee, free for Gold members
Cathay Pacific
Asia Miles
$90-$200 based on timing
Etihad Airways
Guest Miles
3,000-15,000 miles based on timing
TAP Portugal
TAP Miles
€50-€150 based on timing
Iberia
Avios
€25-€50, lower than BA fees
Japan Airlines
JAL Miles
3,100 miles flat fee
American Airlines
AAdvantage Miles
No cancellation fees for any members
United Airlines
MileagePlus
No cancellation fees, $125 for no-shows only
Delta Air Lines
SkyMiles
No fees for US/Canada, free for all Medallions
Alaska Airlines
Mileage Plan
$125 plus taxes forfeited
Key Insights
Most Flexible Airlines
- • American Airlines: No cancellation fees for anyone
- • United Airlines: No cancellation fees (except no-shows)
- • Delta: Free for all US/Canada departures
- • Qatar Airways: Only $25 if cancelled >24h out
Most Restrictive Airlines
- • Alaska: Forfeits taxes even with fee payment
- • Etihad: Charges miles instead of cash (up to 15,000)
- • Qatar: No cancellations within 3h of departure
- • Virgin Atlantic: $100/£50 fee with no Silver benefits
Understanding Partner Bookings
When you book an airline's flights through a partner program (e.g., booking Qatar Airways with British Airways Avios), the cancellation policy of the booking program typically applies, not the operating airline's policy.
Example: Qatar Airways flight booked with BA Avios
You'll pay BA's £35-£55 fee, not Qatar's $150-$250 fee
Example: JAL flight booked with Alaska miles
You'll pay Alaska's $125 + forfeit taxes, not JAL's 3,100 mile fee
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