The Guide to JetBlue’s Cancellation Policy

No matter which airline you fly with, you should review the brand's cancellation policy so you're not shocked if your travel plans change.

If you plan to fly with JetBlue Airways soon, you'll want to know what to expect before buying a ticket. JetBlue cancellation rules vary by ticket type purchased and whether the passenger or JetBlue canceled the flight.

We've outlined the details below so you can feel confident when booking a flight.

» Learn more: Your guide to booking award flights on JetBlue

Flight changes can happen at any time. Your JetBlue flight could be delayed or canceled for various reasons, including:

• Air traffic control delays.

• Bad weather.

• Mechanical concerns.

• Staffing issues.

Before traveling with any airline, consider your options for an unexpected flight cancellation so you can respond swiftly.

Sometimes airlines have to make unexpected schedule changes that result in delays or cancellations. While it can be upsetting to have your flight canceled, the good news is that there are some federal protections for air passengers regarding how refunds are handled.

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, if your flight is canceled by the airline for whatever reason and you choose not to rebook it, you're entitled to a refund for the unused transportation. This is true even for nonrefundable ticket types.

If JetBlue cancels your flight for any reason and you had a confirmed reservation at the time of cancellation, the following options are available to you:

• Travel on the next available JetBlue flight at no additional charge.

• Receive a JetBlue travel credit. 

• Receive a refund to the original form of payment if your flight cannot be rebooked within 2 hours.

You'll need to decide which option works best for you.

In addition, as part of the Customer Bill of Rights, JetBlue flight cancellations resulting from a controllable irregularity made within four hours of scheduled departure are eligible for compensation. Here's what you can expect.

• Cancellation within four hours of flight: $50 credit. 

• Cancellation after scheduled departure: $100 credit.

These fliers may also qualify for a $12 meal voucher, reasonable overnight hotel accommodations, and/or ground transit to and from the airport and hotel. Travelers should review JetBlue's customer service plan for more information and guidance regarding compensation.

You may wonder what happens if you cancel your JetBlue flight.

Here's what you need to know:

Cancel within 24 hours of booking to avoid cancellation fees

JetBlue fliers who cancel their flights within 24 hours of booking won't be charged a cancellation fee as long as the flight was booked at least seven days before departure. If you notice you made an error while booking or changed your mind, you should cancel within 24 hours to avoid paying a flight cancellation fee.

However, this rule doesn't apply to JetBlue Vacations bookings.

Cancellation policies by fare type

Whether you'll be charged a change or cancellation fee for canceling your flight depends on the type of JetBlue fare purchased.

All fare types other than Blue Basic can be canceled by passengers free of cancellation fees if passengers cancel before their scheduled departure. Passengers are responsible for paying the difference in fare when rebooking a new flight.

Changes and cancellations to Blue Basic fare bookings are permitted, but the following fees apply:

• $100 — North America, Central America, Caribbean.

• $200 — All other destinations. 

» Learn more: The guide to Blue Basic on JetBlue

Refund policies by fare type

If you cancel your JetBlue flight before the scheduled departure, your fare type will dictate how refunds are handled. Here's a breakdown of what to expect:

• Nonrefundable fares. A per-person cancellation fee may apply for flights canceled before the scheduled departure. Any remaining balance will be refunded as a JetBlue travel credit, valid for twelve months from the original ticketing date. For this ticket type, if changes or cancellations aren't made before the scheduled departure, all money associated with the ticket will be forfeited. 

• For refundable fares. A refund will be issued to the original form of payment for flights canceled before the scheduled departure. If the flight is canceled after departure, unused funds will be converted to a JetBlue travel credit valid for future JetBlue flights. JetBlue travel credits expire twelve months from the original ticketing date. 

» Learn more: The guide to JetBlue Blue fares

JetBlue cancellation policy for award tickets

The standard JetBlue cancellation policy applies to award tickets. Points will be redeposited if a traveler cancels their JetBlue award flight. All points will be forfeited if the flight is not canceled before the scheduled departure.

If you need to cancel your JetBlue flight and are due a refund, these are the steps you'll want to take to initiate the refund process:

1. Log in to your JetBlue account and select "Manage Trips."

2. Select the trip you wish to have refunded.

3. Select "Cancel" to start the refund process.

4. Follow the steps to complete the process of canceling your trip. 

» Learn more: How to cancel a JetBlue flight

Many travelers utilize travel credit cards to earn rewards and benefit from valuable card perks.

Some travel credit cards include added travel protections, such as trip delay, trip interruption insurance, and trip cancellation protections, which could help you get reimbursed for prepaid, nonrefundable travel expenses for eligible trips.

When booking travel plans, using an eligible credit card with such perks could give you greater peace of mind knowing that you have some added protection if your travel plans don't go as expected. If you want to earn rewards and benefits, JetBlue loyalists may want to consider getting a JetBlue Card.

» Learn more: The best travel credit cards right now

You can also purchase travel insurance, providing even more financial security for unforeseen travel disruptions. Depending on the type of trip you're taking, there are a variety of stand-alone travel insurance policies to shop for.

» Learn more: Credit cards that provide travel insurance

An unexpected change in travel plans can be frustrating, especially if your travel plans were changed involuntarily. The good news is you're entitled to a refund or a rebooking if JetBlue cancels your flight.

If you have to cancel a JetBlue flight, most ticket types aren't subject to cancellation or change fees, and many ticket types qualify for a refund as long as you cancel before the scheduled departure. Now you know what to expect before flying with JetBlue.