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South African Airways Flight Cancellation Rules
Applicability of Cancellation Policy
The SAA flight cancellation policy applies to all fare rules, including refundable and non-refundable fares. Whether you have booked a flexible ticket or a non-refundable one, the cancellation rules will be enforced.
Cancellation Fees Based on Time
The amount deducted for cancellations depends on the time at which the cancellation is requested and the status of your flight booking. Here is a breakdown of the SAA cancellation fees based on time:
- Cancellation more than 48 hours in advance: 10% of the fare, subject to the minimum SAA flight cancellation fee.
- Cancellation between 48 hours and 12 hours prior to departure: A minimum of 25% of the fare value, along with the cancellation fee.
- For cancellations made between 12 hours and up to 4 hours before departure, a fee of 50% of the fare will apply, along with the minimum SAA cancellation fee.
- Cancellation within 4 hours of scheduled departure: Not permitted, and the fare is non-refundable.
Full Refund for Source to Destination Cancellation
In the event that the flight is canceled from the source to the destination, a full refund of the fare on confirmed e-tickets will be automatically credited back to the account from which the booking was made. No flight cancellation fee will be levied, and the wholly unused fare will be refunded to the passenger.
Cancellation Fee for Voiding Booking Request
It’s important to note that any request to void the booking made by the passenger or another individual may incur a cancellation fee. This fee is separate from the SAA flight cancellation fee and should be taken into account when considering canceling a booking.
South African Airways 24 Hour Cancellation Policy
Conditions for Full Refund
South African Airways offers a full refund if a passenger cancels their flight booking within 24 hours of purchasing the ticket. To be eligible for a full refund, the following conditions must be met:
- The departure date must be booked at least 168 hours (7 days) in advance.
- When booking your flight, remember to either use the official reservation portal or call the South African Airways reservations team.
- The flight must be operated by South African Airways.
- The 24-hour cancellation policy does not apply to interline or code-share partner flights.
- The reservation must not include 10 or more passengers and must be subject to the group contract.
- The cancellation or change request must be made within 24 hours of booking.
Exclusions from the 24 Hour Cancellation Policy
It’s important to note that the 24-hour cancellation policy does not apply to reward miles tickets or any discounted or promotional fares. These types of tickets are typically non-refundable and subject to their own terms and conditions.
Flight Change within 24 Hours
Within the 24-hour window, passengers can also request a flight change without incurring any fees. This flexibility allows passengers to modify their travel plans without penalty, as long as the change is made within the specified timeframe.
How to Cancel a South African Airways Flight?
Online Cancellation Process
South African Airways provides an online cancellation option through the Manage Booking section on their website. Follow these steps to request a flight cancellation online:
- Visit the South African Airways website (flysaa.com) and log in to your account.
- Navigate to the Manage Booking section.
- Locate the specific booking you wish to cancel and click on the “Cancel” option.
- You will be directed to the Refund Summary page, where the refund amount will be displayed after deducting the applicable cancellation fee.
- Proceed with the payment process to finalize the cancellation.
- The airline will process the full refund back to the original method of payment within 7-10 business days.
Cancellation through Phone
If you prefer to cancel your flight over the phone or have specific circumstances such as group reservations or no-show situations, you can contact the South African Airways customer service for assistance with the cancellation process.
South African Airways Refund Policy
Documentation for Refund Process
To expedite the refund process, South African Airways requires all necessary documentation, including unused portions of the booking. Passengers must provide the required documentation to ensure a smooth refund process.
Administration Fee and Cancellation Fee
It’s important to note that South African Airways applies an administration fee for all refund requests. This fee is separate from the cancellation fee and covers administrative costs associated with processing the refund.
Validity of Flight Ticket
The validity of a flight ticket for international travel is typically one year, while for domestic travel, it is six months. It’s important to check the validity of your ticket before requesting a refund, as expired tickets are not eligible for any refund.
Refunds for Canceled or Delayed Flights
Passengers can claim a refund on the unused portion of their booking if the flight is canceled or delayed for three or more hours. The following situations make passengers eligible for a refund:
- Cancellation of a flight by South African Airways.
- Flight delay of three or more hours.
- Failure to operate a flight as per the agreed schedule.
- Failure to stop at the destination or stopover for which the passenger holds a confirmed reservation.
Refunds for Death of a Co-Passenger or Family Member
In the unfortunate event of the death of a co-passenger or immediate family member, passengers can claim a refund on the unused flight segments. To qualify for this refund, passengers must submit a copy of the death certificate and a certified declaration proving their relationship to the deceased.
SAA Cancellation Fee
s per the South African Airways cancellation policy, the cancellation fee varies based on the fare type and time of cancellation. Here is a comparison of cancellation fees for different fare types:
Fare Type Free Cancellation Cancellation within 24 Hours (in USD) Cancellation Outside 24 Hours (in USD) Cancellation after Scheduled Departure (in USD) Saver Fare No Yes No Not Permitted Plus Fare No Yes 200 Not Permitted Select Fare No Yes 150 200 Business Fare Yes Yes Free 100 Please note that these fees are subject to change, and it’s always advisable to check the latest information on the South African Airways website or contact customer service for the most up-to-date details.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Can I cancel my SAA flight?
A: Yes, you can cancel your SAA flight. The eligibility for cancellation depends on the fare type and the time of cancellation. Please refer to the South African Airways cancellation policy for more details.
Q: Can you cancel an SAA saver fare within 24 hours of booking?
A: Yes, regardless of the fare type, including saver fare, you can cancel your SAA flight within 24 hours of booking and claim a refund as per the airline’s policy.
Q: What is the South African Airways 24-hour cancellation policy?
A: The 24-hour cancellation policy allows passengers to cancel their SAA flight within 24 hours of purchasing the ticket and receive a full refund. Certain conditions apply, such as booking at least 168 hours in advance and booking directly through the official reservation portal or by phone.
Q: How can I be eligible for a refund on a South African Airways canceled flight?
A: If the flight is canceled by South African Airways or there is a significant delay, you may be eligible for a refund on the unused portion of your booking. You must have a confirmed reservation to qualify for the refund.
Q: What if South African Airways cancels my flight?
A: If South African Airways cancels your flight for reasons within their control, you have three options: rebooking on an alternative flight, revalidation of the ticket for future travel, or a full refund of the unused portion of the booking.
