Does KLM Have a 24 Hour Cancellation Policy?
- traveltipspot1
- Dec 29, 2023
- 4 min read
KLM, also known as Royal Dutch Airlines, offers passengers flexibility to change or cancel flights under certain conditions. KLM does have a 24 hour cancellation policy that allows bookings to be canceled within 1 day of purchase for a full refund.
However, there are specific stipulations around when this applies.
What is KLM's Cancellation Policy?
In general, KLM tickets are non-refundable once purchased. However, KLM does offer a 24 hour cancellation policy that allows a full refund if the booking is canceled within 24 hours of booking.
Here are the key details on KLM's cancellation rules:
Bookings can be canceled for a full refund if canceled within 24 hours of purchase.
The 24 hour policy only applies to new bookings made at least 7 days prior to departure.
Tickets booked within 7 days of travel are non-refundable.
Name changes or other itinerary adjustments are allowed outside the 24 hours for a fee.
Tickets can still be canceled more than 24 hours out for a travel voucher.
So the 24 hour refund rule is limited to new bookings made at least a week before departure. Last minute tickets cannot be refunded.
Does KLM Allow Free Cancellation Within 24 Hours?
Yes, KLM does allow a totally free cancellation if done within 24 hours of booking for eligible tickets. The 24 hour free cancellation window provides a short period to rethink your plans.
As long as you cancel your newly purchased tickets within 1 day of booking, you can receive a full refund to your original form of payment. No fees or vouchers are issued.
This 24 hour policy provides useful flexibility in case you change your mind or make a mistake on initial booking. But it only applies to tickets booked at least 168 hours (7 days) ahead of the scheduled departure.
What KLM Tickets Are Eligible for 24 Hour Cancellation?
To qualify for cancellation under the 24 hour policy, the KLM booking must meet these criteria:
A new ticket purchase made at least 7 days before departure
Ticket booked through KLM direct channels (website, app, call center)
Flight is operated by KLM or KLM codeshare partner
Ticket is issued with a 157 KLM ticket number
NO changes made to itinerary or passenger names after ticketing
Cancellation request is made online or by phone within 24 hours of purchase
As long as those conditions are met, KLM will provide a full refund to original form of payment when canceled within the first 24 hours. No justification is required for the cancellation.
Does the 24 Hour Policy Apply to Award Tickets?
No, KLM's 24 hour cancellation policy does not apply to award tickets booked with miles. Tickets issued using Flying Blue miles or partner miles are generally non-refundable from the time of ticketing.
The 24 policy only covers refundable paid tickets issued by KLM directly. If you redeem miles for an award ticket, it will be subject to the standard award travel policies with no 24 hour refund option.
What if You Cancel After 24 Hours?
If you cancel a KLM booking outside the initial 24 hour window, you will no longer be eligible for a full refund. However, the ticket value can be retained for future travel in most cases.
Here is what happens if you cancel a KLM ticket more than 24 hours after purchase:
Cancellation more than 7 days before departure – Ticket is converted to a KLM travel voucher valid for 1 year. A fee applies.
Cancellation within 7 days of departure – Ticket is forfeited with no value.
Name changes or other adjustments can be made for a fee instead of fully canceling.
So you lose the right to a full refund after 24 hours. But tickets still retain rebooking flexibility and value if canceled further ahead of travel.
How Do You Cancel a KLM Booking?
To take advantage of the 24 hour policy, it's important to know how to properly cancel your booking with KLM:
Log into Manage My Booking on KLM.com or the KLM app
Select your eligible itinerary and choose “Cancel Flight”
Confirm cancellation details and submit request
Cancellation will be processed directly and refund issued to original form of payment
To qualify for 24 hour refund, must cancel online or by calling KLM
Make sure to cancel through KLM's official channels. If you cancel through a third-party site, the 24 hour policy will not apply. Act fast within the 24 hour window to get your full refund.
KLM 24 Hour Cancellation Policy Summary
In summary, here is what you need to know about 24 hour ticket KLM Flight Cancellation Policy:
Applies only to new bookings made at least 7 days before departure
Allows a full refund to original payment if canceled within 24 hours
Canceled online or by calling KLM directly
Non-refundable after 24 hours, but retains value as a voucher
Does not apply to award tickets booked with miles
Provides flexibility if you change plans shortly after booking
Understanding the terms of KLM's 24 hour policy allows you to take advantage of this handy refund period when booking eligible flights.
Is KLM's Cancellation Policy Strict?
KLM offers a relatively flexible and lenient cancellation policy compared to many other airlines. The 24 hour refund window is extremely useful and even outside of that period, tickets retain rebooking value.
However, KLM does follow standard industry policy when it comes to non-refundable tickets. Fares booked within 7 days of travel cannot be refunded at all in most cases. And award tickets booked with miles also follow stricter guidelines.
But having 24 hours to cancel and get a full refund on eligible fares purchased in advance is quite generous, especially compared to low-cost carriers with no refund options. Overall, KLM aims to give passengers options while balancing business needs.
The key is reading all policies carefully when booking so there are no surprises if you do need to change plans later. As long as you understand the rules before purchasing, KLM's cancellation policy can provide helpful flexibility.
Comments