Award cancellation fees, side by side.
What every airline actually charges to cancel an award booking — including elite status carve-outs and what happens with partner redemptions.
TL;DR
American: free. Delta: free for US/Canada. Qatar: $25 if >24h out. Alaska: $125 and you forfeit taxes. Etihad: charges miles, not cash, up to 15,000. Always check whose policy applies — partner bookings follow the booking program, not the operating airline.
All airlines.
Tap a logo for the full fee schedule and elite carve-outs.
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
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
- American Airlines — no cancellation fee for anyone.
- Delta — free for US/Canada departures.
- Qatar Airways — $25 if cancelled >24h out.
Most restrictive
- Alaska — you forfeit taxes even after paying the fee.
- Etihad — charges miles, not cash. Up to 15,000.
- Qatar — no cancellations within 3h of departure.
- Virgin Atlantic — $100/£50 fee, no Silver carve-out.
Partner bookings: whose policy applies?
When you book one airline through another's program, the booking program's policy applies — not the operating carrier's.
Qatar flight booked with BA Avios
You pay BA's £35–£55 fee. Not Qatar's $150–$250.
JAL flight booked with Alaska miles
You pay Alaska's $125 and forfeit taxes — not JAL's 3,100-mile fee.
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