English edition · checked 2026-10-18

Before you change or cancel an award ticket

Award changes and cancellations are controlled by the programme that issued the ticket and the ticket’s current status. Cash-ticket rules do not automatically apply.

Identify the ticket you hold

Use the programme that issued the ticket, not only the airline operating the flight. Find the ticket number, booking reference, passengers and every flight segment. Check whether any segment has already been flown and whether the ticket is still within its validity period.

Name the action

A date change, flight change, route change, passenger change and cancellation may have different rules. Some programmes allow only certain changes online; partner awards can require a different service channel. If the airline changed the schedule, ask about involuntary-change handling before cancelling the ticket yourself.

Check miles and money separately

Before confirming, check whether the original miles return, whether taxes and carrier charges are refundable, which payment method receives the refund, and whether a service fee applies. A displayed refund for one programme is not a general rule. Save the amount and conditions shown in the official booking flow.

After the change

Save the new confirmation and ticket number. Verify the route, dates, passenger names, seat and baggage details with the operating airline. If you cancel, check the award balance and cash refund separately after the transaction posts.

Official sources

Keep reading: Award search workflow · Award ticket cash costs · Partner awards