Flexible flight tickets can offer handy booking perks, but what's included varies. Here’s everything you need to know
What is a flexible flight ticket?
A flexible ticket is a flight ticket which offers the ability to cancel or amend aspects of your booking. Often the most basic tickets will not allow date, route or other alterations at all – you must simply book a new ticket and pay the full price again. With a flexible ticket, you will pay a slightly higher price at the point of purchase, but have the ability to make amends for a small fee – or even for free.
What do I need to know about flexible flight tickets?
Each airline has its own version of flexible tickets and it can be confusing. Some offer various fares at the point of purchase which including different levels of flexibility. Some offer bolt-ons at check out to cover any future changes.
Each option comes with different conditions, such as the time frame within which you can make changes, and limitations on the kind of changes you can make. They can also determine what kind of refund you may be entitled to should you cancel your ticket (i.e. a full refund, a percentage of the ticket cost or a voucher).
It’s worth noting that you may receive preferential flexibility options if you belong to an airline’s loyalty scheme, so it’s good to look into this before you book.
Read on to see what major airlines offer when it comes to flexible ticketing*.
Airline | Date, time, route and name change policies** | Cancellation fees*** | Time limits for changes/ cancellations |
|---|---|---|---|
Specific fare classes allow unlimited changes | Specific fare classes allow voucher or cash refunds | Must apply for a voucher at least 2 hours before flight | |
No changes permitted on basic fares, all other fares allow changes for a fee, fare difference or for free | More expensive fares offer full refunds, while Flex fares require a fee | Up to 2 hours before departure | |
Basic economy fares offer changes for a fee, higher fares offer free changes | Lowest economy fares are non-refundable, other fares are for a fee or free dependant | ||
Free within +/-1 day on Inclusive Plus fares | All tickets are non-refundable after 24-hours from booking | Up to 2 hours before departure | |
Flex Fare allows changes for a fee, Flex Plus fares allow changes for free | Flex Fare allows cancellations for a fee, Flex Plus fares allow cancellations for free | ||
Dependant on which of the three flexible ticket options you select | Dependant on which of the three flexible ticket options you select | All change/refund requests must be made more than 15 days from departure | |
No route changes allowed. Date and name changes for a fee | All flights are non-refundable | ||
Various depending on point of departure Free for Business and First class bookings | Various depending on point of departure | ||
Free for Platinum and Gold Privilege Club members Between 25 and 100 USD for Silver and Burgundy members Under three hours, no refund | Free for Platinum and Gold Privilege Club members Between 25 and 100 USD for Silver and Burgundy members Under three hours, no refund | Up to 3 hours before the flight | |
£45 if made online, £60 at airport or through call centre Name changes are £115 online, £160 through call centre | All flights are non-refundable | Up to 2.5 hours before departure | |
TUI have partnered with Ryanair. Refer to their policies | TUI have partnered with Ryanair. Refer to their policies | TUI have partnered with Ryanair. Refer to their policies | |
Various across their ‘flexible’ ticketing options | Various across their ‘flexible’ ticketing options | Depending on route and ticket type | |
Flex’ fares offer unlimited changes Regular fares have change fees which vary by class and route | Flex fares are fully refundable Regular fares have cancellation fees | Dependent on the change and ticket type | |
Unlimited date and routes (not name) changes with Wizz Flex 40-50 euros for date changes 70 euros for name changes | Full refund with Wizz Flex 30-120 euros | Up to 3 hours before departure |
Flexible flight FAQs
How to book flexible flights
Once you’ve found your flight, check the policy on the airline’s website before you book. You may well find they are still offering flexible, changeable or refundable fares free of charge
If not, consider a higher cabin class, or look to see if you can add extra flexibility. Despite blanket flexible policies being reversed, many airlines still offer changeable tickets for an extra fee
Flexible travel doesn’t stop at flights. You can book hotels and car hire with us, then amend later, too. Just hit the ‘Free cancellation’ filter option when you search on our website or app
*Be aware that ticket flexibility can depend on a range of conditions not covered in detail here, including arrival and departure points, routes, loyalty scheme benefits and whether you make the changes online or through a call centre.
**Even if you are not charged change fees, you will usually have to pay the difference in price for the new flight if it’s more expensive than the cost of the original flight.
***Most airlines will issue a full refund if you cancel within 24-hours of booking, regardless of the ticket type booked
Flexible airline tickets can offer handy booking perks, but what's included varies. Here’s what you should know.
Whether you're travelling for work, visiting family or planning a holiday, plans doesn't always go how you thought they would. Flexible airline tickets can give you more freedom to adjust upcoming travel should you need to make changes,
Not all tickets advertised as ‘flexible’ offer the same benefits though. Some allow free date changes, while others may only offer refunds under certain conditions. It's important to understand your options before you book, so we’ll run through your options here.
What is a flexible flight ticket?
A flexible airline ticket is one that offers the ability to cancel or amend aspects of your booking as long as you meet the necessary conditions.
Often, the most basic tickets will not allow date, route or other alterations. If you need to make any changes, you’ll need to book a new ticket and pay the full price again.
Instead, refundable flight tickets, though often more expensive upfront, offer the ability to make amends either for a small fee, or sometimes, even for free.
Depending on the airline and fare type, they may let you:
Change your travel dates
Change your flight time
Cancel for a refund
Receive travel credit for future trips
Some airlines include flexibility as standard on premium fares, while others offer it as an optional extra. It's worth remembering that every airline has its own rules, so always check the fare conditions before booking.
Can I get a refund if I cancel my own flight?
It depends on your fare conditions. When your flight is cancelled by your airline, you’ll have the option to rebook or to ask for a full refund. But if you’re the one that needs to call it quits, you’ll only be able to cancel or amend aspects of your booking, and get your money back if you purchased flexible airline tickets or flights that offer free cancellation.
Can I get a refund on my flight ticket?
That depends on the fare condition of your booking. Fare conditions explain:
Whether the ticket is refundable
Whether you can change your flight
Any change or cancellation fees
Time limits for making changes
Checking these details before booking helps you understand exactly what you're paying for and avoids surprises if your plans change. On Skyscanner, once you have selected the flight you’re interested in, you can compare fare conditions offered by each partner under ‘more fares’. If the option is a fully refundable ticket or your selected flights offer free cancellation, this is where you’ll find the information.
Which airlines offer the most flexibility for changing flights?
Each airline takes a different approach to flexible tickets. For example, Air Canada and Emirates, offer several fare types with different levels of flexibility, while others, such as easyJet, Iberia and Wizz Air, sell optional add-ons that make it easier to change or cancel a booking.
Each fare or add-on comes with its own conditions. These may include how close to departure you can make changes, which parts of the booking you can amend and whether you will receive a cash refund, travel credit or voucher if you cancel. A flexible ticket is not always the same as a fully refundable flight ticket, so check the fare conditions carefully before you book.
Some airlines may also offer extra flexibility or reduced fees to members of their loyalty programmes. For example, Qatar Airways Privilege Club waives the change fee for Gold and Platinum members who amend an eligible award ticket more than 24 hours before departure. Benefits depend on membership level and booking type, so check the programme rules alongside your fare conditions before choosing a ticket.
Carrier | What’s included in the flexible fare | Details |
Aer Lingus flexible fares offer different refund and change benefits. Business Flex fares are fully refundable, less any applicable administration fees, while selected fares may qualify for a refund voucher. | Eligible voucher requests must be submitted at least two hours before departure. Refund vouchers retain the eligible value of the fare and selected extras and are currently valid for five years. Fare differences may apply when changing flights | |
Air Canada Flex, Comfort and Latitude fares offer increasing flexibility. Comfort and Latitude are refundable, while Latitude offers the greatest flexibility; fare differences may still apply to changes. | Eligible bookings originally made through Air Canada can generally be changed online up to two hours before departure. Whether a fee applies depends on the fare purchased. | |
A British Airways Flexible ticket permits changes and refunds without penalty fees. Lower or more restricted fares may still allow changes, but a fee and any fare difference can apply. | Eligible flight-only bookings made directly with British Airways can be cancelled within 24 hours of purchase for a full refund. Exceptions apply, so travellers should check the Book with Confidence conditions. | |
Inclusive Plus includes fee-free date changes within one day either side of the original travel date, although fare differences may apply. Flex Pass is an add-on that lets you change each flight once without paying the standard change fee; any increase in fare must still be paid. | Inclusive Plus and Flex Pass changes can be made up to two hours before the original flight’s scheduled departure. easyJet tickets are generally non-refundable after the first 24 hours; cancellations made within that window incur a cancellation fee. | |
Emirates | Emirates Flex fares permit changes and cancellations for a fee, while Flex Plus offers more generous change and refund conditions. Saver and Special fares generally have higher penalties or fewer refund options. Hold My Fare can reserve the price of an eligible Economy fare for 24 hours before purchase. | Emirates does not publish one universal change or cancellation cut-off. The deadline and applicable charges are set by the fare conditions attached to the individual ticket, so these should be checked during booking. |
Iberia’s Flexible Ticket add-on offers either one fee-free flight change or a voucher refund. The voucher is worth 80% of the amount paid on short- and medium-haul flights or 100% on long-haul flights. Iberia also sells Economy Flexible and flexible premium-cabin fares. | A Flexible Ticket change or voucher request must be made at least 15 days before departure. The voucher is valid for one year. With the combined Flexibility Pack, using either the change or voucher benefit cancels the other option. | |
Economy Classic, Convenience and Comfort fares offer increasing levels of flexibility. Higher fare families include lower change fees, more generous refunds and, in some cases, free changes before departure. Business fare families also offer different levels of flexibility. | Fare rules vary by fare family and route. The highest fare families generally offer the lowest change fees and the most generous refund conditions, while Economy Lite fares are the most restrictive. Always check the fare conditions before booking. | |
Ryanair Flexi Plus removes the flight-change fee and allows changes to the date, time or route. Any fare difference still applies. It also includes Fast Track, priority boarding, two cabin bags and a reserved seat. | A change to a later flight, or to a flight on another date, can be made up to one hour before the original departure. When changing online to an earlier flight, the change must be completed at least 2.5 hours before the original departure. Same-day changes remain subject to availability. | |
Turkish Airlines fare rules provide different levels of changes and refunds according to the route, cabin, fare package and booking class. Packages such as EcoFly, ExtraFly and PrimeFly may be offered, with higher tiers generally providing more flexibility. | Turkish Airlines does not publish one cut-off that applies to every international ticket. Some fare rules use thresholds such as more than 12 hours, one to 12 hours and less than one hour before departure, with different fees or restrictions in each period. Travellers should check the rules for their exact international fare during booking. | |
Virgin Atlantic Flex fares are available with selected Economy, Premium and Upper Class products. They include unlimited date changes, although any increase in fare may still be charged. Cancellation terms depend on the Flex product and fare rules selected. | No single hours-before-departure deadline is published for all Flex tickets. Changes must be requested before the traveller becomes a no-show, and new travel normally needs to remain within the ticket’s validity period. Virgin Atlantic states that tickets are generally valid for 12 months from issue. | |
WIZZ Flex is an add-on that removes the flight-change fee when changing the date, time or destination. Any fare difference may still apply. It can also allow cancellation in return for credit to the traveller’s WIZZ Account rather than a cash refund. | Changes and cancellations using WIZZ Flex must be completed online at least three hours before the flight’s scheduled departure. |
Airline flexibility products, prices and fare conditions are subject to change. Always review the fare conditions before completing your booking to confirm what's included.
When is it worth paying for a flexible ticket?
Flexible tickets aren't necessary for every trip, but they can be worthwhile if your plans are uncertain. You might consider paying for extra flexibility if you're:
Travelling for business
Waiting for visa approval
Booking around medical appointments
Coordinating with friends or family
Planning an expensive long-haul holiday
Tips for booking flexible flights
Before you book:
Compare fare conditions, not just prices.
Check whether the ticket is refundable or simply changeable.
Use Whole Month search to explore cheaper travel dates.
Consider whether paying more for flexibility is worth it.
Review airline policies before confirming your booking.
Other ways to build flexibility into your travel plans
Skyscanner's Whole Month search
What is Whole Month search and how does it help me find flexible travel dates?
