Can You Cancel Your Asiana Flight Ticket?
Yes — Asiana Airlines allows you to cancel tickets, but refund eligibility depends on your fare type, timing, and booking method:
- Refundable fares (e.g., Saver‑Flex, Business, First) usually qualify for refunds before departure.
- Non‑refundable fares may only receive travel credits minus cancellation fees.
- Award/mileage tickets have separate refund rules depending on the program.
The 24‑Hour Risk-Free Cancellation Window
Asiana adheres to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s 24-hour rule for bookings made through its official channels:
- If booked at least 7 days before the flight, you can cancel within 24 hours of purchase for a full refund, even for non-refundable fares.
- This only applies to reservations made directly through Asiana (website, app, or customer service).
Acting within this window ensures the most favorable refund outcome.
Refund Eligibility and Fare Types
Ticket Type | Refund Within 24 Hours | Refund After 24 Hours |
---|---|---|
Refundable (Business, etc.) | ✅ Full refund | ✅ Refund minus cancellation fee |
Non‑refundable | ✅ Full refund | ❌ Travel credit only (minus fee) |
Ticket booked with miles | ✅ Program-dependent | ⚠️ Often only credit or fee |
Standard cancellation fees typically range from USD 100–300, depending on route and fare type.
If Asiana Cancels Your Flight
If the airline cancels your flight or changes it significantly (e.g. over 2–3 hours), you’re entitled to:
- Full refund, even on non-refundable fares.
- Or rebooking on the next available flight without a charge.
How to Cancel and Request a Refund
Option A: Use the Asiana Website or App
- Go to FlyAsiana.com and sign in.
- Navigate to “My Trips” and look for your booking.
- Click “Cancel Reservation”.
- If eligible, select “Request Refund”.
- You’ll receive a confirmation email with refund details.
Option B: Contact Customer Service
If the online option isn’t available:
- Call Asiana Reservations (e.g., U.S.: +1‑800‑227‑4262).
- Provide your booking reference and request cancellation and refund.
- Vat for any fees or refund processing.
Option C: At the Airport
If time is tight, visit the Asiana counter early before departure. Agents may assist with cancellations but refunds usually require follow-up online or by phone.
Refund Processing Timeline
- Credit card refunds: Processed within 5–15 business days.
- Bank transfer or cash refunds: May take up to 20 business days.
- Travel credits: Typically issued immediately and valid per fare rules.
No-Shows and Late Cancellations
- If you don’t cancel and miss your flight, Asiana treats it as a no-show, often resulting in forfeited fare.
- Some fares allow a last-minute cancellation with penalty, but most result in no refund or credit.
Special Circumstances (Waivers)
Medical or Bereavement Cases
Asiana may waive cancellation fees for documented emergencies. Submit medical or death certificates for consideration.
Partial Ticket Use
If part of your itinerary is unused, refund may be available for the unused portion minus fees.
Third-Party Bookings
If booked via a travel agent or OTA, cancellation must be handled through them. Airline policies and refund timelines may differ.
Real Traveler Experiences
- Some customers report lengthy delays when calling; online cancellation tends to be smoother.
- Others have found success by emailing regional Asiana offices directly, especially for refunds that weren’t processed automatically.
Quick Checklist for Refunds
- Act within 24 hours of booking (if fare conditions apply).
- Use FlyAsiana.com/My Trips to cancel and request refund.
- If needed, call customer service with your booking reference.
- Prepare documentation for medical or bereavement cases.
- Check processing timelines—follow up if needed.
Flight Change & Cancellation Fees with Asiana Airlines
1. 24-Hour Grace Period
Asiana honors the DOT’s 24-hour rule—if your booking was made directly via their website, app, or call center at least 7 days before departure, you can cancel or change within 24 hours for free, even on non‑refundable fare classes.
2. Cancellation Fees After the Grace Period
Refund eligibility depends on fare type and timing:
Refundable Ticket Types (Flex, Business, First)
- Cancelling before departure generally results in a refund—minus the cancellation fee (typically USD 100–300).
- The fee varies by route and class, and if booked directly, it’s straightforward.
Non‑Refundable Ticket Types (Basic, Discount)
- If cancelled after the 24-hour window, these result in travel credit, not cash refunds.
- Credit is issued minus a modest cancellation fee, typically USD 100–300 depending on distance and fare.
3. Flight Change Fees
- Asiana’s reissue fee is typically USD 30 (or 3,000 miles) if done online for international flights.
- If made via phone or airport counter, expect an additional service fee (~USD 50–70).
- Fare differences apply, so if the new flight costs more, you’ll pay the price difference plus fees.
- Some older tickets issued between March and October 2020 received blanket fee waivers; these are no longer widely applicable.
4. No‑Show Penalties
If you don’t cancel your booking and fail to board the flight, Asiana charges a no‑show fee:
- Domestic: KRW 8,000–10,000 (≈ USD 6–8)
- International: USD 120 (≈ KRW 120,000)
- Gate no‑show (post check-in but not boarding): up to USD 500 in severe cases.
Note: Paying the no‑show fee may reinstate the ticket for refund eligibility—but only for refundable fares.
5. Airline‑Initiated Cancellations or Major Schedule Changes
If Asiana cancels your flight or changes it significantly (e.g. departure time shift of 2+ hours, airport change, class downgrade):
- You’re entitled to a full refund, whether your ticket was refundable or not.
- No change or cancellation fees apply, and you may opt for a replacement flight.
6. Timing & Processing Overview
- Online refunds are processed in 5–7 working days, with final settlement in your account within 7–20 calendar days. []
- Travel credits/vouchers are usually issued immediately; check validity against fare rules.
7. Mileage & Award Ticket Fees
Award tickets operate differently:
- Online refunds cost USD 30 or 3,000 miles if canceled within 12 months—no fee if within 24-hour booking window.
- No-shows cost USD 120 (12,000 miles) in Economy, USD 300–500 in Business for gate no-shows.
8. Real Traveler Insights
- Some travelers report the cancellation penalty reaching 80% of fare value on basic economy fares—especially close to departure.
- Others note long hold times and unexpected escalations to higher fees when requesting cancellation—agent discretion can vary.
- Emailing regional offices (e.g. Seoul-based addresses) has helped some travelers expedite refunds when online options failed.
9. Step-by-Step: How to Cancel or Change
- Act within 24 hours if possible—no fees apply.
- Visit FlyAsiana.com → Find My Trip or use the mobile app to cancel/change online.
- If online options are not visible, call your local Asiana phone center (e.g., U.S. +1‑800‑227‑4262) or visit an airport ticket counter.
- Confirm cancellation/refund or request a travel credit with documentation if necessary.
- Check processing timelines and follow up if applicable.
10. Summary Table
Scenario | Refundable | Non‑Refundable | Change Fee | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
Cancel within 24 hrs (booking ≥7 days out) | ✅ Full refund | ✅ Full refund | $0 | Applies to direct bookings only |
Cancel after 24 hrs (before departure) | ✅ Partial refund | ✳️ Travel credit | USD 100–300 | Depends on fare class and timing |
Change flight before departure | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | USD 30 + USD 50 fee | + any fare difference |
Airline cancels or delays significantly | ✅ Full refund | ✅ Full refund | $0 | Even if ticket is non‑refundable |
No-show or gate no-show | ❓ Depends | ❓ Depends | USD 120–500 penalty | May void ticket if not paid |
Final Tips for Travelers
- Book directly via Asiana when possible—third-party tickets may restrict access to waiver options.
- Review your fare class carefully—basic fares carry the highest penalties.
- Document everything—save confirmation emails, cancellation proofs, and agent interactions.
- Act fast—penalties rise as departure nears.
- If online fails, email regional machines for assistance—South Korea or U.S. offices may respond faster.
Asiana’s cancellation and change policies depend heavily on your fare, timing, and booking method. Use the 24‑hour window, understand your fare’s flexibility, and choose the right channel—online, phone, or airport—to minimize fees and ensure smooth processing.