Qatar Airways Cancellation Policy

Planning a trip is exciting, but unforeseen circumstances may require modifications or cancellations. Understanding an airline’s cancellation policy is crucial for a seamless experience. In this guide, we’ll cover Qatar Airways cancellation policy elements: fees, refund eligibility, ticket validity, and booking modifications.

What are the Main Highlights of Qatar Airways Cancellation Policy?

You can request a flight cancellation up to 3 hours before the scheduled departure for international flights. The passenger can also request a cancellation before 90 minutes for domestic flights.

Just like the above, there are other rules and guidelines you should know before making a hassle-free cancellation request – 

• Any flight reservation purchased with reward points or miles does not cover cancellation as per the policy.
• Passengers canceling the reservation after 24 hours of purchase can avail of a refund. This is for the unused portion of the ticket minus the applicable cancellation fees.
• Certain fare rules associated with your flight booking do not allow cancellation after the scheduled departure. No refund can be claimed by the passenger, under any circumstances.
• Considering that the fare is non-refundable, no part of the fare is eligible for a refund upon cancellation.
• The most restrictive Qatar Airways cancellation policy would be applicable when the booking includes two or multiple fare conditions.
• In some cases, the passenger may be denied boarding for not having a valid travel document or permit. Then passengers have to pay the applicable Qatar cancellation fee and no-show fee.
• Sometimes a passenger may make multiple demands for Qatar Airways flight change requests on the booking. Then the most restricted or highest cancellation fee might be applicable among all the reissued fares. 
• No cancellation request will apply when the request on the booking after 12 months from the date of departure.

What are Qatar Cancellation Policy Guidelines According to Fare Families?

Below is an overview of the Qatar Airways cancellation policy for the following class of service – 

Economy Class

Business Class

First Class

How does the Qatar Airways 24 hour cancellation policy work?

Under the Qatar Airways 24 hour cancellation policy, the airline will offer a full refund to each passenger. In addition, no cancellation fee would be applied, provided that the scheduled departure date must be 7 days or more at the time of cancellation.

You need to keep certain points in mind before canceling your booking within 24 hours of purchase – 

• Refundable and non-refundable tickets qualify for a full refund under this policy, regardless of the trip type and the class of service booked.
• Qatar Airways 24 hour cancellation policy offers a full refund for tickets that are booked directly with the airline’s official website or any other official source.
• The 24-hour cancellation policy is only valid for passengers traveling to or from the US, Canada, and passengers with a US passport.
• The said policy will not apply to flight reservations booked with Future Travel Credit, eGift vouchers, or Electronic Gift Certificates.
• Booking of the air ticket with frequent flyer rewards or mileage will not be covered under Qatar Airways 24 hour cancellation policy.
• Any PNR or booking reference that contains more than 9 passengers is not eligible for cancellation within 24 hours.

How does the Qatar Airways Free Cancellation work?

You can also request a free cancellation with the airline. No cancellation fee would be collected. Here are the following scenarios that will help you –

• Passengers have to request cancellation within 24 hours of purchase.
• In the event of the death of an immediate family member, passengers may request cancellation anytime before the scheduled departure. You need to submit the death certification as proof of validation.
• For a flight that is delayed for 5 or more hours, passengers can claim a refund on the unused portion of the ticket in case they refuse to opt for an alternative flight.
• If the flight was canceled by the airline and the flight disruption was directly under the airline’s control, then cancellation may be free.

What is Qatar Airways No-Show Policy?

Here are the following reasons why a passenger is marked no-show – 

• Passengers failed to cancel the reservation before the scheduled departure.
• Missed flight connection due to flight delays
• Passengers who hold invalid or incomplete travel documents.
• Passengers fail to request a Qatar Airways flight change 3 hours before departure.

To know the no-show cancellation fee for your fare, contact the airline’s customer service. 

How does the Qatar Airways cancellation work due to Covid-19?

Here is an overview of how the airline’s cancellation policy works in response to COVID-19:

• Travel voucher – Qatar Airways has introduced a flexible travel voucher option for passengers who booked flights before September 30, 2022. If your flight is canceled or significantly delayed, you have the choice to opt for a travel voucher for the affected flight segment. New bookings can be exchanged for a travel credit voucher with 10% more value. The validity of travel vouchers remains for 2 years or more.
• Refund – In cases where Qatar Airways cancels a flight due to COVID-19-related reasons, passengers are eligible for a refund of the unused portion of their ticket

Qatar Airways Flight Cancellation

Qatar Airways flight cancellation can be done online, through the mobile app, through customer Service as well as at the airport too – 

Qatar Airways Cancellation Online

Flight booking on qatarairways.com can be done via the Manage Booking section. The said request is subject to airline penalties and surcharges that need to be paid online.

Here’s how you can navigate the Qatar Airways cancellation request online – 

• Visit the official website for Qatar Airways ticket cancellation.
• Retrieve the booking using the “Manage My Trip“. 
• Enter the booking credential in the relevant field to proceed.
• Choose the light segment that you would like to cancel. 
• Confirm the selection with a reading consent page.
• The refund amount will be displayed on your screen.
• Complete the cancellation process by submitting the online refund request form.
• You will receive a confirmation mail from the airline on your registered credentials (mobile number and Email ID).

Qatar Airways Ticket Cancellation via Call

In some cases, the passenger may face issues in canceling tickets online. So, airline cancellation via Customer Service is available. For canceling tickets with the airline’s executive over the phone, you have to pay the airline penalty and other service fees by phone. 

To cancel a Qatar Airways ticket via phone call, follow these steps:

• Dial the customer service number and wait to be connected to a representative. 
• Once connected, the customer service representative will likely ask you to verify your identity for security purposes. 
• Provide the necessary information such as your booking reference or e-ticket number to confirm your identity and proceed with the cancellation process.
• Ask the representative if you wish to cancel your Qatar Airways ticket. 
• If you are eligible for a refund or travel voucher based on the fare rules or circumstances of your cancellation, inquire about the process.
• Pay the required fee or any other charges, if applicable.
• After canceling your ticket, ask the representative to confirm the cancellation and provide you with a cancellation confirmation number or reference.

Qatar Airways will also send the cancellation confirmation to the passenger’s registered email address.

Qatar Airways Flight Cancellation at the Airport Counter

When you choose to cancel a ticket at the airport counter, you can approach your departure airport for the same. You can do so up to 3 hours before the scheduled departure.  The airline will refund your amount after deducting both service fees and cancellation fees. After deduction, the rest of the amount will transfer to your account within 1 to 3 weeks.

To cancel a Qatar Airways ticket at the airport counter, follow these steps:

• Locate the Qatar Airways check-in counter and wait for your turn.
• Provide your passport and booking confirmation to help them retrieve your reservation.
• Communicate to the representative that you wish to cancel your Qatar Airways ticket. 
• Explain the reason for cancellation, if necessary.
• Check to see the eligibility for a refund or any applicable cancellation fee. 
• After you pay the fee, the airline representative will proceed with the cancellation process.
• After canceling your ticket, ask the representative to confirm the cancellation.

If you have any further questions or require additional assistance after canceling your ticket at the airport counter, don’t hesitate to ask the Qatar Airways representative. You can also contact Customer Service later.

How much is the Qatar Airways Cancellation Fee?

The airline may not impose any cancellation fee within 24 hours of making the booking. Outside this duration, the airline’s penalty varies between 100 and 500 USD per passenger.

To know the most accurate cancellation fee as per your cabin class and the fare rules, contact Qatar Airways Customer Service. 

What are my options if Qatar Airways Cancel Flights?

Though airlines strive to not cancel or delay the flight, sometimes it may happen for reasons – 

• Beyond the control of Qatar
• Within the airline’s control

Beyond the Control of Qatar

Your flight may cancel or delay due to reasons outside the airline’s control. For instance, a bird strike may have delayed the flight schedule. Sometimes, guests need to deplane due to a medical emergency. Or, weather events like snowstorms may create a huddle.

When the airline delayed a flight for 3 or more hours. As per the cancellation policy, the airline will – 

• Provide an alternate flight for no additional charge.
• If the flight is not available, the airline will offer the flight with another airline for the same destination as booked. 

Within the Airline’s control

Your flight can be canceled for delays for reasons within the airline’s control.

Assuming that the flight is canceled or delayed for 3 or more hours and is under the airline’s control – 

• Provide an alternate flight for no additional charge.
• In case the flight is not available, the airline will offer the flight with another airline for the same destination as booked. 
• Failure to offer the same class of service by the airline would result in offering a higher class of service to the passenger.
• Passengers can deny the alternate option and claim a refund on the unused portion of the ticket.

How much is the Qatar Airways Flight Cancellation Compensation?

In the event of denied boarding, flight cancellation, or a delay of at least two hours, it is important to approach the check-in counter or boarding gate to obtain information about your rights,

For Flight delay – In case of a flight delay for 2 hours or more, passengers are entitled to the following benefits – 

Compensation for flight delay within the EU

Compensation for flight delays between the EU and non-EU airport

For denied Boarding or flight cancellation – In the event of flight cancellation or being denied boarding, the following entitlements apply:

• Transport to Final Destination
• Refund for the unused portion of the ticket
• Return to Initial Departure Point:
• Compensation (see the table below)
• drinks, meals, and communication assistance.

Compensation for cancellation/denied boarding within the EU

Compensation for cancellation/denied boarding between the EU and non EU airport

What is Qatar Airways Refund Policy?

As per Qatar Airways refund policy, the said refund would be offered on the unused portion of the ticket, and must be under the following condition – 

• Upon presentation of satisfactory proof of payment, the refund will be back to either the passenger named on the ticket or the person who paid for it.
• In a situation wherein the ticket was purchased by someone other than the passenger named on the ticket, the airline will offer a refund to the person who purchased it.
• Sometimes there may be a case of flight cancellation or the airline may fail to operate a flight according to the timetable. There can be a delay of more than 2 hours for a long-term irregularity or more than 5 hours for a short-term irregularity.  
• An amount equal to the airfare paid minus the Qatar Airways cancellation fee will be offered as a refund.
• According to the Qatar Airways refund policy, the airline refuses to refund, if the cancellation request is later than 12 months after the expiry of the validity of the ticket. 
• Qatar Airways cancellation refund would be back in the same currency as the purchase. Currency conversion charges may apply.

By being aware of the key elements of the policy, including cancellation fees, refund eligibility, ticket validity, and the necessary steps to make changes, passengers can navigate the cancellation process with confidence.

Qatar Airways Cancellation Policy: FAQs