How to use the travel cancellation fee calculator
The United States has no single national refund table for travel. Airfare has one narrow federal protection, while tour operators and cruise lines set their own cancellation schedules by contract. Enter your trip cost, the amount paid, your booking, departure and cancellation dates, and the tiers printed in your own contract.
Legal basis: the Department of Transportation rule at 14 C.F.R. 259.5 requires carriers flying to or from the United States to hold a reservation at the quoted fare for 24 hours or to allow cancellation without penalty within 24 hours of booking, provided the booking was made at least seven days before departure. Separate DOT rules require a prompt refund when the airline cancels or significantly changes a flight and you decline what is offered. Beyond that, cancellation charges come from the contract, and state unfair and deceptive practices statutes reach terms that were never disclosed. Figures current as of September 2026.
Give notice in writing and record the date and time, because both the 24-hour window and the contract tier turn on when you cancelled rather than when the operator answered. A travel insurance policy may reimburse a penalty for a covered reason, so read the covered reasons list before cancelling.
This calculator is for reference only and is not legal advice. Consult a licensed attorney about your specific situation, and DOT takes air travel complaints at its consumer complaint portal.
Frequently asked questions
Under 14 C.F.R. 259.5, airlines flying to or from the United States must let you cancel a reservation without penalty within 24 hours of booking, as long as the booking was made at least seven days before departure.
Generally no. The rule applies to airline tickets. Tour operators and cruise lines set their own cancellation schedules by contract, which is why this tool asks you to enter those tiers.
Department of Transportation rules require a prompt automatic cash refund when a carrier cancels or significantly changes a flight and you do not accept the alternative offered. That is separate from your own cancellation.