Etihad Cancellation Charges Guide: Fees, Refund Rules & 24-Hour Policy

If you are planning to fly with Etihad Airways and want to know more about Etihad cancellation charges, you are in the right place. Many travellers end up changing or cancelling their plans, so it is important to understand how fees, refunds and timing work with the airline.

Etihad Airways flies to over 80 destinations from Abu Dhabi and carries millions of passengers every year. When plans change, knowing what the cancellation charges for Etihad Airways are can save you from stress and unexpected costs. Etihad clearly states that there is a 24-hour cancellation policy for direct bookings, but charges can vary depending on your fare type, route, and even how close you are to departure. If you miss cancelling in time and do not show up, no-show fees may be added too.

Having a clear understanding of these rules makes it much easier to manage your booking and avoid any surprises when you need to cancel a flight.

What are the Cancellation Charges for Etihad Airways?

Here’s what you need to know about cancelling a flight with Etihad. There’s no single fee for all tickets as the amount you pay depends on your fare type, your route, when you cancel, and whether your ticket is refundable or non-refundable.

Key points:

• Your refund amount depends on your fare type and whether you have used any part of your journey. Fees and charges may apply.

• A fee may apply to change or cancel your flight, based on your route and the fare that you’ve booked.

• For Economy bookings, there is a standard service fee of USD 30 per segment when changing or refunding. Business/First class bookings may carry no service fee.

• If you cancel or change within 96 hours of departure, an additional fee of roughly 10% may apply.

• If you simply do not show up (“no-show”) and haven’t cancelled or refunded at least four hours before departure, you may lose your fare and be charged a no-show fee.

Also read Fly in Style with Etihad Airways Business Class Fully-Flat Beds and Premium Comfort

What this means in practice

• If you have a refundable fare, cancellation may cost only the service fee (e.g., USD 30 per segment) plus any fare difference if you rebook.

• If you hold a non-refundable fare, cancellation may lead to losing most of the ticket value, or being eligible only for a tax refund and future travel credit (depending on fare rules).

• The closer you are to departure, the higher the fee/penalty may be (for example, the 10 % extra within 96 hours rule), so cancelling early is better.

• If you don’t cancel and just miss your flight, you face the largest charges or may forfeit your fare entirely.

Etihad Airways Cancellation Within 24 Hours

Many travellers ask: Can I cancel my Etihad ticket within 24 hours and get a full refund? Here’s the simple answer:

• If you cancel within 24 hours of booking, you may be able to get a refund, but it still depends on your fare type (refundable or non-refundable).

• The 24-hour rule does not guarantee a full refund for every ticket.

• Some tickets may only offer tax refunds or travel credits.

• Rules can also differ based on where you booked the ticket.

For travellers from India/Asia:

Although specific to the U.S., the terms and conditions note a full refund if booked at least 7 days in advance and cancelled within 24 hours (for the U.S. market).
If you are booking in India or other Asian countries, make sure to check your fare rules before cancelling and confirm with your travel agent or Etihad for the exact refund amount.

How to Cancel a Flight Ticket on Etihad Airways and Get a Refund

Follow these steps to cancel your Etihad flight and request a refund:

• Go to Manage My Booking through your Etihad account or booking link.

• Enter your booking reference and last name to find your trip.

• Choose the option to Cancel / Request Refund. Which can be requested up to four hours before your flight; otherwise, a no-show fee applies.

• Review your fare rules so you know if your ticket is refundable, how much the cancellation fee is, and whether your refund is cash or travel credit.

• If you booked through a travel agent or third-party website, contact them for cancellation and refund help.

• Refund processing time for Credit/Debit card payments is usually within 21 days, and other payment methods are up to 45 business days.

What to Expect: Etihad Cancel Flight Refund

When you cancel an Etihad Airways ticket, your refund amount depends on:

• Your fare type (refundable or non-refundable).

• Whether you’ve flown any part of the journey.

• Taxes and airport charges.

• How close to departure you have cancelled.

If you’ve already used one or more segments of your ticket, you’ll usually only get a refund for the unused portion of your ticket, based on fare rules.

If Etihad cancels or significantly changes your flight, you may be eligible for a full refund or free rebooking.

For voluntary cancellations (you decide not to travel), the fare rules you agreed to during booking will determine how much you get back.

Things to Note

• Cancellation fees aren’t the same for everyone: The exact charges depend on your ticket type and route, and are usually mentioned in the fare rules.

• Fare brand matters: Economy Saver, Value, and Flex each have different cancellation or change terms.

• Booked through a travel agent? You may have different rules and will usually need to cancel through the agent.

• No-show fees are higher: If you simply don’t show up without cancelling/refunding in time, a no-show fee applies, and you may forfeit ticket value

• 24-hour window still subject to fare rules: Even within 24 hours, if the fare is non-refundable, you may not get a full refund.
  Service fee per flight segment: Economy tickets may have a standard service fee of USD 30 per segment applied for cancellations or changes.

Also read Etihad Baggage Policy 2025

FAQs About Etihad Cancellation Charges

Q1. Does Etihad Airways charge a fee for cancelling a flight?

Yes, cancellation fees apply depending on your fare type, route, and how close to departure you cancel.

Q2. Can I cancel my Etihad flight within 24 hours for free?

If you booked directly with Etihad, a 24-hour cancellation policy applies, but the refund still depends on your fare rules.

Q3. How do I cancel my Etihad ticket and apply for a refund?

Visit Manage Booking on Etihad’s website, enter your booking details, and choose Cancel or Refund.

Q4. What happens if I don’t cancel and miss my flight?

A no-show fee may apply, and you could lose the value of your ticket.

Q5. Are non-refundable tickets eligible for a refund?

Most non-refundable tickets only allow a refund of unused taxes or as per fare rules.

Q6. How long does Etihad take to process refunds?

Refunds can take up to 21 days for card payments and up to 45 business days for other payment methods.

Q7. If Etihad cancels my flight, do I still have to pay charges?

No, if the airline cancels your flight, you are entitled to a refund or rerouting without additional fees.

Conclusion

Knowing the cancellation charges for Etihad Airways helps you avoid surprises when you need to cancel your Etihad Airways flight ticket. Since Etihad Airways cancellation charges differ by fare type and timing, always review your ticket rules. If eligible, the Etihad Airways cancellation within 24 hours policy can allow a quick change of plan, and you may request an Etihad flight refund easily through Manage Booking. Depending on your fare, your Etihad refund for a cancelled flight may be in cash or travel credit.

Ready to book your next Etihad Airways flight with confidence? Let Flightsquest help you secure the best fares, clear cancellation terms, and full support whenever plans change. Contact Flightsquest today and travel worry-free.