Under US Department of Transportation rules, airlines selling flights to, from or within the United States must let you cancel a booking within 24 hours without penalty, or hold the fare for 24 hours without payment, when you book at least seven days before departure. Airlines choose which option they offer, and most US airlines offer the free 24-hour cancellation.
Updated October 13, 2026 · By the GoodForOneFare editorial team
Who the rule applies to
The rule (14 CFR 259.5) applies to US airlines and to foreign airlines for flights to and from the United States. It covers tickets booked directly with the airline. Travel agencies and booking sites are not bound by the same requirement, so their own cancellation window depends on their policy and on what the airline allows.
The conditions
| Condition | Rule |
|---|---|
| Booking time | At least 7 days (168 hours) before scheduled departure |
| Window | 24 hours from the time of booking |
| What the airline must offer | Free cancellation within 24 hours, or a 24-hour hold at the quoted price without payment |
| Fare types covered | All fares, including basic economy, when the conditions are met |
| Refund method | Back to the original form of payment |
What the 24-hour rule does not cover
- Bookings made fewer than 7 days before departure.
- Changes to the booking; the rule is about cancellation, not free date changes.
- Optional extras the airline sells under separate terms, depending on the airline.
- Flights that do not touch the United States.
How to cancel within 24 hours
- Note the exact time you booked; the window is counted from that time.
- If you booked with the airline, cancel in your airline account or by phone.
- If you booked through GoodForOneFare, contact us immediately with your booking reference so we can request the cancellation from the airline within its window. See Manage Booking.
- Keep the cancellation confirmation until the refund appears on your statement.
Refunds when the airline cancels or changes your flight
A separate DOT rule, in effect since 2024, requires airlines to refund you automatically when they cancel or significantly change a flight and you do not accept the alternative or travel. A significant change includes a departure or arrival moved by 3 hours or more on domestic flights, or 6 hours or more on international flights. Card refunds must be issued within 7 business days. Details are on the DOT refunds page.
Our refund and cancellation policy explains how this works for GoodForOneFare bookings. If you are still choosing a fare, compare one-way and round-trip pricing and read when to book international flights.
Frequently asked questions
Does the 24-hour rule apply to basic economy?
Yes. When you book directly with the airline at least seven days before departure, basic economy fares are covered.
Does the rule apply to international flights?
Yes, for flights to or from the United States, including those on foreign airlines.
I booked 5 days before departure. Can I still cancel free?
The DOT rule does not require it, though some airlines allow it anyway. Check the fare rules or contact the airline right away.
