When planning a trip, flexibility is essential. Life can be unpredictable, and sometimes plans change unexpectedly. Whether you're booking a flight for business or leisure, understanding the cancellation policy of your airline is crucial. In this post, we’ll take a deep dive into the cancellation and refund policy for Philippine Airlines, one of the premier airlines in the Philippines, to help you navigate their guidelines.
Types of Fares and Their Cancellation Rules
Philippine Airlines offers a range of fares, and each has different cancellation rules. It’s essential to know which fare you’ve purchased to avoid surprises. Here’s a breakdown of how cancellations are handled for each fare class.
1. Business Flex
For travelers who book Business Flex tickets, cancellations are allowed both before and after departure. However, there are cancellation fees involved:
International flights: USD 100 per flight leg.
Domestic flights: USD 60 per flight leg. These tickets provide a higher level of flexibility, making them ideal for those who may need to adjust their travel plans.
2. Business Value
While Business Value tickets also offer the ability to cancel, they do come with some restrictions:
International flights: Cancellations are allowed before departure, but not after departure. A no-show fee of USD 100 per flight leg is charged if the passenger fails to cancel in advance.
Domestic flights: Similar to international flights, cancellations are allowed before departure with a fee of USD 60 per flight leg, and a no-show fee applies.
3. Premium Economy
The Premium Economy class offers a decent balance between comfort and flexibility:
International flights: Cancellations are allowed with a fee before or after departure (USD 100).
Domestic flights: Similarly, cancellations are permitted with a fee of USD 60 per flight leg.
4. Economy Value
For Economy Value tickets, cancellations are permitted only before departure, and once the flight has passed, it is no longer allowed. The cancellation fees are as follows:
International flights: USD 100 per flight leg.
Domestic flights: USD 60 per flight leg. If you fail to cancel before departure, you will be charged a no-show fee.
5. Economy Saver
Economy Saver tickets come with the same restrictions as the Economy Value tickets:
International flights: Cancellations are allowed before departure only, and the no-show fee applies.
Domestic flights: Same rules apply with a fee for cancellations made before departure.
6. Economy Super Saver
Economy Super Saver tickets are the most restrictive fare type. Unfortunately, cancellations or refunds are not permitted for this fare. If you need to make any changes to your plans, you will not be able to do so with this ticket class.
Refunds: What You Need to Know
Refund eligibility depends on the type of ticket purchased.
Refundable Tickets: Tickets purchased under the Business Flex or Economy Flex categories can be refunded based on the fare conditions. If the ticket is unused, you’ll be refunded for the full value minus any cancellation fees.
Non-Refundable Tickets: Tickets like the Economy Super Saver are typically non-refundable. However, you may still be entitled to a refund of certain taxes, provided the ticket is unused.
Partially Used Tickets: If you’ve used part of your journey, you may still be eligible for a partial refund, but it will depend on the fare class and the conditions outlined at the time of booking.
If you booked a ticket for a flight departing from the U.S. and made the reservation at least seven days in advance, you might qualify for a full refund if you cancel within 24 hours of booking, as per U.S. Department of Transportation regulations.
No-Show Policy
It’s important to remember that failing to show up for your flight without prior cancellation is considered a "no-show," and this can result in the cancellation of any onward or return flights, along with the loss of any ticket value.
To avoid these fees and penalties, it’s best to cancel your booking at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
How to Cancel or Request a Refund
There are several ways to cancel your Philippine Airlines flight or request a refund:
Online: Visit the Manage Booking section on the Philippine Airlines website or use their mobile app to make cancellations and refunds.
Phone: Contact their reservations hotline for assistance.
In-Person: Visit a Philippine Airlines ticket office for help with cancellations.
Final Thoughts
When booking your flights with Philippine Airlines, make sure to understand the rules surrounding cancellations and refunds. If you’re looking for more flexibility, opt for fare classes like Business Flex or Premium Economy, which allow changes and cancellations with fewer restrictions. On the other hand, if you're looking for the lowest prices, be aware that fare classes like Economy Super Saver will offer limited flexibility.
Have you had any experience with Philippine Airlines’ cancellation policy? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
