Understanding the WestJet Airlines cancellation policy is important when your travel plans change after booking a flight. WestJet cancellation and refund rules depend on the fare type, route, booking time, and how close the cancellation is to the scheduled departure.
WestJet generally allows eligible flights to be cancelled up to two hours before departure. Passengers who cancel within 24 hours of making their booking may qualify for a full refund to the original form of payment, provided the flight is not scheduled to depart within 24 hours of the booking time.
WestJet Airlines Cancellation Policy
WestJet cancellation rules vary according to the fare purchased and the destination. Some fares may have cancellation fees, while flexible fares can offer cancellation without a fee.
After the initial 24-hour period, the amount returned to the passenger can be a Travel Bank credit rather than a refund to the original payment method, depending on the fare. UltraBasic fares have more restrictive cancellation conditions.
Key Features of the WestJet Cancellation Policy
- Eligible bookings can generally be cancelled within 24 hours for a full refund.
- The flight must generally be scheduled to depart more than 24 hours after the booking for the 24-hour full-refund rule to apply.
- Cancellations after 24 hours are subject to the fare rules.
- UltraBasic fares are generally non-refundable after the 24-hour period.
- Econo fares can be subject to cancellation fees.
- EconoFlex fares can generally be cancelled without a cancellation fee.
- PremiumFlex and BusinessFlex fares can generally be cancelled without a cancellation fee and refunded to the original form of payment.
- Cancellations must generally be completed more than two hours before departure.
- The refund method depends on the fare and cancellation conditions.
WestJet Airlines Cancellation Policy 24 Hours
WestJet allows eligible passengers to cancel a flight within 24 hours of making the original booking without a cancellation fee.
To qualify for the full refund, the scheduled departure must be more than 24 hours from the time the reservation was made. The refund is generally returned to the original form of payment.
Conditions for WestJet 24-Hour Cancellation
The 24-hour cancellation rule does not apply in the same way to every booking.
Passengers should consider:
- The time the reservation was originally made.
- The scheduled departure time.
- The fare purchased.
- Whether the booking is eligible under WestJet’s applicable fare rules.
- Whether the cancellation is completed before the required cancellation deadline.
For a flight scheduled to depart within 24 hours of booking, the standard cancellation rules and applicable fees can apply instead of the regular 24-hour full-refund rule.
WestJet Cancellation Fee
WestJet does not have one cancellation fee that applies to every flight. The fee depends on the fare type, destination and booking conditions.
For example, WestJet’s current published fees show that Econo, Premium and Business fares on certain North American routes can have a cancellation fee of $100 CAD/USD plus applicable taxes per person per fare component. For travel to or from Europe, Econo fares can have a $150 CAD/USD plus tax cancellation fee, while Premium and Business fares can have higher fees.
WestJet Cancellation Fees by Fare
| Fare Type | Cancellation Condition |
|---|---|
| UltraBasic | Generally no refund or future travel credit after 24 hours |
| Econo | Cancellation fee may apply |
| Premium | Cancellation fee may apply |
| Business | Cancellation fee may apply |
| EconoFlex | No cancellation fee; Travel Bank credit generally issued |
| PremiumFlex | No cancellation fee; refund to original payment |
| BusinessFlex | No cancellation fee; refund to original payment |
The exact amount can depend on the route and fare conditions, so passengers should check the cancellation details associated with their specific reservation before confirming the cancellation.
WestJet Airlines Refund Policy
The WestJet refund policy depends on the ticket type and the reason for cancellation.
If an eligible booking is cancelled within 24 hours and the flight is scheduled to depart more than 24 hours after booking, WestJet provides a full refund to the original form of payment.
After 24 hours, some fares may result in a Travel Bank credit after applicable cancellation fees are deducted.
WestJet Refundable Tickets
Flexible fares generally provide better cancellation options.
PremiumFlex and BusinessFlex fares can generally be cancelled without a cancellation fee, with the eligible refund returned to the original form of payment.
WestJet Non-Refundable Tickets
Some WestJet fares do not provide a refund to the original form of payment after the 24-hour period.
For eligible Econo fares, the applicable cancellation fee can be deducted and the remaining amount may be issued as a Travel Bank credit. Member Exclusive fares can have a combination of WestJet points and Travel Bank credit depending on the applicable fare rules.
WestJet UltraBasic Cancellation Policy
UltraBasic is one of WestJet’s most restrictive fare options.
If an UltraBasic booking is cancelled more than 24 hours after the original booking, the fare generally does not qualify for a refund to the original payment method or a future travel credit.
Passengers purchasing an UltraBasic ticket should therefore carefully review the fare conditions before booking, especially if there is a possibility that their travel plans may change.
How to Cancel a WestJet Flight Online
Passengers can cancel eligible WestJet reservations online through the airline’s Manage Trips section.
Steps to Cancel a WestJet Flight
- Visit the official WestJet website.
- Open the Manage Trips section.
- Enter your booking information.
- Select the reservation you want to cancel.
- Choose the cancellation option.
- Review the applicable cancellation conditions.
- Check the cancellation fee, if any.
- Review the refund or Travel Bank amount.
- Confirm the cancellation.
- Save your cancellation confirmation.
WestJet states that eligible bookings can be cancelled online through Manage Trips, subject to the applicable cancellation rules and deadlines.
WestJet Cancellation Policy for Travel Agent Bookings
If your WestJet ticket was purchased through a travel agent, corporate travel arranger, another airline or another third party, the cancellation process may be different.
WestJet advises passengers to contact the agency or booking provider directly when the reservation was made through them.
Before cancelling, ask the travel provider:
- Is my ticket refundable?
- What cancellation fee applies?
- Will I receive a refund or Travel Bank credit?
- Is there an additional agency service fee?
- How much will I receive back?
- How long will the refund take?
What Happens If WestJet Cancels Your Flight?
A cancellation made by WestJet is different from a voluntary cancellation made by the passenger.
If WestJet cancels or significantly disrupts your flight, your options and refund rights may depend on the circumstances and applicable passenger-protection rules.
Depending on the situation, passengers may be offered an alternative flight, rebooking options or a refund where applicable.
Passengers should review the information provided by WestJet after a flight cancellation and check the options available for their specific reservation.
WestJet Cancellation Policy for Delayed Flights
If your WestJet flight is significantly delayed, your rights can depend on the reason for the delay, the length of the delay, the itinerary and applicable passenger-protection regulations.
If WestJet provides cancellation or disruption options for your booking, review those options before deciding whether to continue travelling or request a refund.
WestJet No-Show Policy
Passengers should cancel their reservation before departure if they know they will not travel.
WestJet states that cancellations are generally permitted until more than two hours before the scheduled departure time, subject to fare rules. If a passenger fails to cancel before the required deadline and does not travel, the booking may be treated as a no-show and the passenger may lose the value associated with the ticket depending on the fare conditions.
For itineraries with multiple flight segments, passengers should avoid simply missing one flight and should contact WestJet if they cannot travel.
Can You Cancel a WestJet Flight After 24 Hours?
Yes, eligible WestJet flights can generally still be cancelled after the first 24 hours, but the refund and fee depend on the fare.
For example, Econo fares may be cancelled for an applicable fee, with the remaining eligible amount generally issued as a Travel Bank credit. EconoFlex can generally be cancelled without a cancellation fee, while PremiumFlex and BusinessFlex can generally be cancelled without a fee with a refund to the original form of payment.
UltraBasic fares have significantly more restrictive cancellation rules after the initial 24-hour period.
WestJet Cancellation Policy for International Flights
WestJet international cancellation rules depend on the destination and fare type.
For travel involving Europe, Asia and other international destinations, cancellation fees can differ from those applicable to flights within Canada or other North American routes.
For example, WestJet’s published rules list different fees for Econo, Premium and Business fares travelling between Canada and Europe or Asia.
Passengers should therefore check their individual fare conditions before cancelling an international ticket.
WestJet Cancellation Policy for Flights from the USA
Passengers travelling between the United States and Canada or other destinations should check the fare conditions attached to their specific booking.
WestJet’s cancellation rules can vary according to the fare and itinerary. Eligible bookings cancelled within 24 hours of booking may qualify for a full refund when the flight is scheduled to depart more than 24 hours after booking.
After 24 hours, applicable fare rules and cancellation fees can determine whether the passenger receives a Travel Bank credit, refund or no refund.
WestJet Cancellation Policy for Flights from Canada
For flights originating in Canada, the cancellation fee depends on the fare and destination.
For example, WestJet currently lists cancellation fees for Econo, Premium and Business fares on certain Canada routes, while EconoFlex, PremiumFlex and BusinessFlex provide greater cancellation flexibility.
Always check the cancellation amount shown for your reservation before confirming.
How to Avoid Losing Money When Canceling a WestJet Flight
If your travel plans may change, consider these tips:
- Check the fare rules before purchasing your ticket.
- Use the 24-hour cancellation period when eligible.
- Compare flexible fares if your travel plans are uncertain.
- Cancel as early as possible.
- Check the cancellation fee before confirming.
- Review whether the refund will be returned to your card or issued as Travel Bank credit.
- Avoid simply becoming a no-show.
- Save your cancellation confirmation.
- If you booked through a travel agent, contact the agent before cancelling.
Conclusion
The WestJet Airlines cancellation policy depends mainly on the fare type, destination, booking time and how close the cancellation is to departure.
Eligible bookings can generally be cancelled within 24 hours of booking for a full refund when the flight is scheduled to depart more than 24 hours after the booking. After that period, cancellation fees and refund conditions depend on the fare.
UltraBasic fares have the most restrictive cancellation conditions, while EconoFlex, PremiumFlex and BusinessFlex fares offer greater flexibility.
Before cancelling your WestJet flight, check Manage Trips and review the exact fee and refund amount shown for your reservation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Yes. Eligible bookings can generally be cancelled within 24 hours of booking without a cancellation fee when the scheduled departure is more than 24 hours after the booking time.
Yes. WestJet provides a 24-hour cancellation option for eligible bookings, subject to its conditions.
The fee depends on your fare and route. For example, certain Econo, Premium and Business fares can have cancellation fees, while EconoFlex, PremiumFlex and BusinessFlex fares offer more flexibility.
Yes, but the cancellation conditions depend on your fare. Some fares may provide a Travel Bank credit after a cancellation fee, while some flexible fares can be cancelled without a fee.
It depends on the fare and circumstances. Some non-refundable fares may not provide a refund, while eligible fares can provide a Travel Bank credit after applicable fees.
You can generally use WestJet’s Manage Trips section to access your reservation, select the cancellation option, review the applicable fee and refund amount, and confirm the cancellation.
If WestJet cancels your flight, your options can be different from a voluntary cancellation. Depending on the circumstances, you may have rebooking or refund options.
Yes, but you should generally contact the travel agent or booking provider that issued the ticket.
If you do not cancel your reservation and fail to travel, you may be treated as a no-show. The consequences depend on the fare and booking conditions.
UltraBasic has restrictive cancellation rules. After the initial 24-hour period, cancellations generally do not result in a refund or future travel credit.
Yes. EconoFlex fares can generally be cancelled without a cancellation fee, with the eligible amount issued as a Travel Bank credit.
Yes. These flexible fares can generally be cancelled without a cancellation fee, with the eligible refund returned to the original form of payment.