Understanding the Lufthansa cancellation policy is important if your travel plans change after booking a flight. Lufthansa cancellation and refund conditions generally depend on the fare rules attached to your ticket. Some fares may be refundable, while restricted or non-refundable fares can have limited refund options.

Lufthansa Cancellation Policy

The Lufthansa cancellation policy is primarily based on the fare conditions of your purchased ticket. Before canceling your flight, check your booking confirmation for the applicable fare rules, as these determine whether your ticket can be refunded and whether any cancellation charges apply.

Key Features of the Lufthansa Cancellation Policy

• Refund eligibility depends on the fare conditions.
• Some Lufthansa fares are refundable, while others have refund restrictions.
• Cancellation and refund amounts can depend on the fare and the portions of the ticket already used.
• Refunds are generally returned to the original payment method.
• Flights booked through a travel agency may need to be canceled or refunded through that agency.
• Lufthansa allows eligible bookings to be canceled and refund requests to be submitted online through My Bookings.
• Online cancellation and refund requests can generally be made up to 2 hours before the beginning of the journey.

Passengers should always review the fare conditions shown in their booking confirmation before canceling a Lufthansa ticket.

Lufthansa Cancellation Policy 24 Hours

Lufthansa’s cancellation rules should not be described as a universal “free 24-hour cancellation” policy for every ticket. The refundability of a voluntary cancellation depends on the fare conditions applicable to the ticket.

If your ticket is refundable, you can generally cancel the trip and request a refund according to those fare conditions. Lufthansa states that passengers can use the online refund option in My Bookings up to 2 hours before the start of the journey.

When Can You Cancel a Lufthansa Flight?

Depending on your ticket and booking circumstances, you may be able to:

• Cancel a refundable ticket and receive a refund according to the fare rules.
• Receive a partial refund after applicable deductions.
• Receive only refundable taxes and fees on certain non-refundable fares.
• Request a refund when Lufthansa cancels or significantly changes your flight.
• Cancel through the travel agency if the ticket was purchased through an agency.

Always check your specific ticket conditions before confirming cancellation.

Lufthansa Cancellation Fee

There is no single cancellation fee that applies to every Lufthansa ticket. The amount, if any, depends on the fare conditions associated with your booking.

Factors That Can Affect Lufthansa Cancellation Charges

• Fare type purchased
• Refundability of the ticket
• Route and itinerary
• Whether the ticket has been partially used
• Time of cancellation
• Conditions applicable when the ticket was issued
• Whether the cancellation is voluntary or caused by an airline schedule change

Lufthansa’s conditions state that refunds are calculated according to the applicable fare conditions and any ticket segments that have already been used.

Voluntary Cancellation

If you decide not to travel, the refund depends on the fare rules. Some tickets may qualify for a refund, while restricted or non-refundable fares may provide only limited refunds.

For non-refundable fares, Lufthansa’s published refund information states that taxes and fees may be refundable in applicable circumstances.

Lufthansa Refund Policy

The Lufthansa refund policy determines how much money you can receive after canceling your flight.

Refundable vs. Non-Refundable Lufthansa Tickets

Refundable tickets may allow:

• Full or partial refund according to fare conditions
• Refund after applicable cancellation charges
• Refund to the original payment method

Non-refundable tickets may have more restrictive conditions. Depending on the applicable rules, certain taxes and fees may still be refundable.

The exact refund amount can also depend on whether part of your itinerary has already been flown.

Lufthansa Refund Processing

When an eligible refund is approved, Lufthansa generally refunds the amount to the same payment method used to make the booking. The refund amount can vary according to the fare conditions, ticket usage, taxes, fees and applicable charges.

If you booked through a travel agency or another third-party provider, Lufthansa recommends contacting the agency regarding the refund.

How to Cancel Lufthansa Flights Online

If you booked directly with Lufthansa, you can check your booking and available cancellation/refund options through My Bookings.

Steps to Cancel a Lufthansa Flight

1. Visit the official Lufthansa website.
2. Open the “My Bookings” section.
3. Enter your booking details.
4. Open your flight reservation.
5. Select the available cancellation or refund option.
6. Review the applicable refund amount and fare conditions.
7. Confirm your cancellation request.
8. Save the cancellation or refund confirmation.

Lufthansa states that eligible bookings can be canceled and refund requests submitted online up to 2 hours before the beginning of the journey.

Canceling a Lufthansa Ticket Booked Through a Travel Agency

If you purchased your Lufthansa ticket through a travel agency, online travel website or another third-party provider, the cancellation process may be different.

In these cases:

• Contact the agency that issued your ticket.
• Ask about the applicable Lufthansa fare conditions.
• Confirm any airline cancellation charges.
• Check whether the agency charges an additional service fee.
• Request confirmation of the refund amount and processing time.

Lufthansa specifically advises passengers who purchased tickets through travel agencies to contact the agency regarding refund requests.

What Happens If Lufthansa Cancels Your Flight?

If Lufthansa cancels your flight, your options can be different from those available for a voluntary cancellation.

Depending on the circumstances, passengers may be offered:

• Rebooking on an alternative flight
• Alternative travel arrangements
• A refund when the applicable conditions are met

Lufthansa’s current refund information states that passengers are entitled to a refund when their flight has been canceled or significantly changed and they choose not to travel on the alternative arrangement.

When You May Qualify for a Full Refund

Lufthansa’s published refund conditions include situations such as:

• Your flight is canceled without a replacement.
• Your scheduled departure is brought forward by more than one hour.
• Your scheduled departure is delayed by at least two hours.
• Your scheduled arrival is delayed by at least two hours.
• Certain significant short-term schedule changes occur.

Partially used tickets may be refunded on a pro-rata basis, subject to the applicable conditions.

How to Avoid Losing Money When Canceling a Lufthansa Flight

If your travel plans are uncertain, consider these tips:

• Check the fare conditions before purchasing your ticket.
• Choose a fare with greater flexibility if your plans may change.
• Cancel as early as possible when cancellation is permitted.
• Check the refund amount before confirming cancellation.
• Avoid simply not showing up for the flight.
• If you booked through an agency, contact the agency before canceling.
• Keep your booking confirmation and cancellation records.

Conclusion

The Lufthansa cancellation policy depends mainly on the fare conditions attached to your ticket. Refundable fares generally provide greater flexibility, while non-refundable fares can have significant restrictions. If Lufthansa cancels or significantly changes your flight, you may have stronger refund rights depending on the circumstances.

Before canceling, check the “Fare conditions” in your booking confirmation and review the refund amount displayed in My Bookings. This can help you understand your available options before completing the cancellation.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)