Got sick and need to cancel a flight out of California? Here’s what these airlines allow

Flying during the holidays can be a gamble — especially with COVID, the flu and other viruses still circulating.

Since the pandemic began, most airlines have adjusted their cancellation policies for unexpected travel mishaps. There is no hard and fast rule for cancellation due to illness. You’ll need to work with your airline. If you’re concerned about needing to cancel, most airlines offer trip insurance that protect the cost of the flight.

Here are the general cancellation policies for major airlines that fly out of California:

American Airlines

With American Airlines you have the option to re-schedule your flight though it depends heavily on the seat you purchase. Here is a breakdown:

• There are no change fees for domestic, short-haul international and select long-haul international flight in premium, economy and main cabin fares.
• Basic Economy ticket holders have access to free same-day flight changes, but basic economy flights bought on or after April 1, 2021 are not refundable and non-changeable.
• You can cancel your flight and pay the difference for a rebook.

Delta Airlines

As of Oct. 23, 2022, if you purchase a main cabin or above ticket from Delta Airlines and need to cancel or change your itinerary, you won’t acquire fees. Though keep in mind that flights need to depart from either the United States, Canada, Europe Africa or the Caribbean. If you rebook, you’re required to pay the price difference on tickets.

United Airlines

Air Canada

Refunds on Air Canada are dependent on the air fare booked. Based on its United States departures, comfort and latitude fares are refundable. Otherwise you only have the option of a full refund if your flight has been cancelled or if it has been delayed for 3 hours. You can also rebook a flight within 5 days of your scheduled flight, at no extra fee.

JetBlue

There are no cancellation fees on most JetBlue flights, except for blue basic fares.Changes and cancellation fees for blue basic fares are $100 for North American, Central American and Caribbean flights; and $200 for all other flights.

Southwest Airlines

Spirit

Booking through Spirit you have the option to cancel either within 24 hours of purchase or minimum 60 days before your trip. Otherwise you will incur a change fee on your flight. Below is the breakdown of the fees:

• Canceling your trip zero to six days from departure results in a $99 fee.
• Canceling your trip from seven to 59 days from departure results in a $49 fee.

Volaris

Refunds on Volaris flights are only available 24 hours after purchase for domestic flights and seven days from date of purchase for international flights. Changes can only be made to flights purchased with a “Flexibility Combo.”

Hawaiian Airlines

Hawaiian Airlines only has free 24 hour cancellation from the date of purchase, on fares bought at least seven days from the scheduled departure date.

Aeromexico

For Aeromexico passengers, anything after the general 24-hour cancellation window results in a cancellation fee of $200 to claim a refund.

Frontier

Outside of the 24-hour window, Frontier cancellation fees will apply based on when you cancel. Here are fee breakdowns:

Alaska Airlines

This story was originally published December 13, 2022 at 6:00 AM with the headline "Got sick and need to cancel a flight out of California? Here’s what these airlines allow."