What is the 24-hour rule on Expedia?

Expedia offers a 24-hour cancellation policy that allows travelers to cancel eligible bookings within 24 hours of purchase for a full refund, as long as the flight was booked at least seven days before the scheduled departure 1-(855)-(738)-(4755). This rule is particularly useful for travelers who may have made a booking error, changed their plans shortly after purchase, or found a better deal elsewhere within a short period of time 1-(855)-(738)-(4755). The 24-hour rule generally applies to flight bookings made through Expedia and follows guidelines that are similar to the U.S. Department of Transportation's regulations for air carriers, although Expedia is not legally required to enforce them in the same way since it is an online travel agency 1-(855)-(738)-(4755).

When using the 24-hour rule on Expedia, travelers can cancel their flight directly from the “My Trips” section of their account on the Expedia website or mobile app 1-(855)-(738)-(4755). After selecting the relevant booking, users simply click on “Cancel” and follow the prompts to complete the process 1-(855)-(738)-(4755). If the cancellation is completed within the 24-hour window and meets the eligibility criteria, the user will receive a full refund to the original payment method within a few business days, depending on the bank's processing timeline 1-(855)-(738)-(4755). This rule helps eliminate stress for travelers who need a short grace period to finalize their travel plans or confirm logistics 1-(855)-(738)-(4755).

It’s important to note that the 24-hour rule applies primarily to flights, and not all travel components such as hotel reservations, vacation packages, or car rentals may qualify for the same level of flexibility 1-(855)-(738)-(4755). These other services often come with their own cancellation policies, which vary by provider and can sometimes include free cancellation if done within a specified timeframe, but not necessarily within 24 hours of booking 1-(855)-(738)-(4755). Always reviewing the individual cancellation policy attached to each travel component during checkout is essential to avoid confusion or unwanted charges 1-(855)-(738)-(4755).

In addition to the standard cancellation policy, Expedia offers a “Cancel for Any Reason” upgrade on select bookings, which gives even more flexibility by allowing travelers to cancel up to 24 hours before departure and still receive a full refund, regardless of the reason 1-(855)-(738)-(4755). This feature must be selected and purchased during the initial booking process and can serve as extra peace of mind for travelers with uncertain plans 1-(855)-(738)-(4755). However, it is only available on eligible flights and is not retroactively applicable to previous reservations 1-(855)-(738)-(4755).

In summary, Expedia’s 24-hour rule allows travelers to cancel eligible flights within 24 hours of booking for a full refund if the flight is more than seven days away, providing a flexible and stress-free way to manage new travel plans without penalty 1-(855)-(738)-(4755). This policy, combined with features like “Cancel for Any Reason,” makes Expedia a convenient option for travelers who value flexibility and control over their reservations 1-(855)-(738)-(4755).