Life doesn’t always go as planned — sometimes, personal emergencies, illness, or unexpected commitments mean you simply can’t take your flight. But what happens when you’re the one who needs to cancel? Do you have any rights to a refund or compensation?
Here’s what you need to know about your options, entitlements, and next steps when you can’t travel due to personal reasons.
Check your compensation online.
1. Understand Airline Policies
When a flight is cancelled by the passenger, EU261 and UK261 regulations don’t apply — these laws protect passengers only when the airline is responsible for the disruption.
That means your refund or rebooking rights depend on the airline’s own fare rules and the type of ticket you purchased.
- Non-refundable tickets: Usually, only taxes and airport fees can be refunded.
- Flexible or refundable tickets: You can often cancel for a full or partial refund.
- Rebooking options: Some airlines let you change your travel date for a fee or fare difference.
Always check the airline’s terms and conditions before cancelling to understand what you’re entitled to.
1.1 Canceling Non-Refundable Flights and Hotels Due to Medical or Personal Reasons
Canceling a flight for medical reasons or unexpected personal emergencies can be challenging, especially when you’ve booked non-refundable flights or hotels.
In most cases, airlines and hotels don’t automatically issue refunds for non-refundable bookings, but there are exceptions. If you can provide proof of a serious illness, injury, or family emergency, some airlines or accommodation providers may offer a partial refund, travel credit, or the option to rebook for a later date.
If you have travel insurance, you may be able to recover your costs — provided your policy covers cancellations for medical or personal reasons and you supply the necessary documentation, such as a medical certificate or hospital note. Always reach out to the airline or hotel as soon as possible to explain your situation; early communication often leads to a more flexible outcome.
2. Use Travel Insurance
If you have travel insurance, it may cover cancellations for valid personal reasons, such as:
- Serious illness or injury (to you or an immediate family member)
- A family emergency or bereavement
- Jury duty or a court summons
- Redundancy or unexpected work commitments
Each policy has its own exclusions and documentation requirements, so read the fine print carefully. You’ll likely need to provide proof, such as a medical certificate or employer letter, to make a successful claim.
Having travel insurance for cancelling flights can protect you from losing money if you’re unable to travel due to unexpected personal or medical reasons.
3. Contact the Airline or Travel Agent as Soon as Possible
If you know you can’t travel, contact the airline or booking agent as soon as possible for holiday cancellations. Early cancellations may offer better outcomes, such as:
- Partial refunds (on certain fare types)
- Travel credit or vouchers for future use
- Reduced rebooking fees
Acting quickly can help you recover more of your costs and keep future travel options open.
Holiday cancellation insurance can help you recover your costs if you have to cancel your trip due to illness, emergencies, or other unforeseen events.
4. What About Accommodation and Other Bookings?
Flights aren’t the only thing affected when you cancel a trip. Cancelling hotel reservation, cancelling package holidays and tours – it’s another challenge you may face.
Make sure to check:
- Hotel cancellation policies — see if you have a fully refundable hotel booking. If yes, many are refundable if cancelled within a certain timeframe.
- Rental cars or tours — contact providers directly; they may offer credits or partial refunds.
- Package holidays — if booked through a tour operator, you may have different rights under package travel regulations.
Read more: UK Charter Airlines: Understanding Your Rights
5. Future-Proof Your Travel Plans
To protect yourself next time:
- Choose flexible or refundable fares when booking flights and hotels.
- Always buy comprehensive travel insurance that covers personal cancellations. Travel insurance that covers cancellation for any reason offers the highest level of flexibility, allowing you to cancel your trip for personal or unforeseen reasons and still recover part of your costs.
- Keep records and receipts in case you need to file a claim.
A little preparation can save you hundreds of euros (or pounds) — and a lot of stress — if life throws you a curveball before your trip.
Travel cancellation insurance helps reimburse your expenses if you have to cancel your trip unexpectedly due to illness, emergencies, or other covered reasons.
If you can’t travel due to personal reasons, your rights depend on the airline’s fare rules and whether you have travel insurance that covers cancellations.
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