U.S. Department of Transportation rules (14 CFR 259.5) require airlines that sell tickets for flights to, from or within the United States to do one of two things for reservations made directly with them:
- let you hold the reservation at the quoted fare for 24 hours without payment, or
- let you cancel within 24 hours of booking for a full refund, without a penalty.
Most large U.S. airlines choose the free-cancellation option. The rule only applies when you book at least 7 days before departure.
How to use it
- When you find a good fare, book it rather than waiting and watching it climb.
- Keep searching for 24 hours. If you find something better, cancel the first ticket within the window.
- Read the confirmation for the exact deadline; it is counted from the booking time.
Fine print
- The rule binds airlines. Online travel agencies aren't covered by it, though many offer their own 24-hour void window. Check before you buy.
- Non-U.S. airlines flying to or from the U.S. are covered for those flights; their other routes are not.
- Outside the U.S. there is generally no equivalent legal right, so read the fare rules.