LATAM Airlines Cancellation Policy: Refunds, Fees & How to Cancel

Whether a LATAM Airlines ticket can be cancelled for a refund depends on the fare conditions purchased, the departure corridor, the ticket status, and statutory consumer protection laws. LATAM does not maintain a single universal cancellation rule across all reservations. While restrictive promotional fares are generally non-refundable when a traveller voluntarily cancels, flexible fare families permit returns subject to fare conditions, and airline-initiated disruptions grant distinct rebooking or refund remedies. Passengers holding an active reservation should verify their specific fare rules and available self-service options directly through the official LATAM My Trips portal.

LATAM Cancellation Policy at a Glance

The table below outlines standard procedural outcomes across common travel and booking situations:

Voluntary vs Involuntary Cancellation

Understanding the legal and procedural boundary between voluntary and involuntary cancellation is essential:

• Voluntary Cancellation (Passenger-Initiated): Occurs when you decide not to travel due to personal reasons, business rescheduling, or personal emergencies. In this scenario, LATAM’s contractual fare family rules govern whether you receive cash, a travel voucher, or no refund at all. Any applicable cancellation penalties are deducted from the returned balance.
• Involuntary Disruption (Airline-Initiated): Occurs when LATAM cancels a scheduled flight, significantly revises departure times, causes a missed onward connection on a single ticket, or faces operational disruptions (such as weather grounding or mechanical events). In these circumstances, standard fare restrictions are waived: travellers are generally entitled to alternative transportation at no extra charge or a full refund of the unused portions of the ticket.

Can I Cancel My LATAM Ticket?

Any passenger holding a valid LATAM reservation can cancel their booking prior to flight departure. However, the ability to cancel does not automatically guarantee a refund. Refund eligibility is dictated by several specific parameters:

• Fare Family: LATAM structures Economy and Premium cabins into branded fare families (commonly Basic, Light, Plus, and Top, alongside Premium Economy and Premium Business). Restrictive tiers (Basic and Light) are strictly non-refundable for passenger-initiated cancellations, whereas Top and Premium tiers include ticket return flexibility.
• Point of Sale & Routing: Domestic routes within South American domestic markets (such as Chile, Peru, Colombia, and Brazil) operate under localized fare structures that may differ from long-haul international corridors.
• Timing Before Departure: To preserve any residual value, cancellations must be completed before the flight departs. Cancelling after flight close-out triggers strict no-show penalties.
• Partially Used Itineraries: If outbound sectors have already been flown, calculating residual value involves re-pricing the journey as a one-way trip, which often leaves little to no refundable base balance.

Even when a ticket's base fare is non-refundable, certain uncollected third-party passenger taxes and government security fees may be eligible for return upon application, subject to administrative processing policies and regional law.

LATAM 24-Hour Cancellation Rule

A frequent question among international travellers is whether LATAM offers an unconditional 24-hour grace period for free cancellations. LATAM does not offer a universal, worldwide 24-hour free cancellation policy as part of its standard fare rules. Instead, 24-hour cooling-off rights apply strictly when mandated by the consumer protection or aviation regulations of the country where the ticket was purchased:

• United States Bookings (DOT 24-Hour Rule): Under U.S. Department of Transportation regulations, if you purchase a ticket directly through LATAM's U.S. website for an itinerary touching the United States, you may cancel the reservation without penalty within 24 hours of purchase, provided the booking was made at least seven days (168 hours) prior to the scheduled flight departure.
• Brazil Bookings (Right of Regret / Arrependimento): Under Brazilian Consumer Defense Code (CDC Article 49) and ANAC Resolution 400, tickets purchased online or off-premises for flights originating in Brazil may be cancelled for a full refund within 7 days of purchase, or up to 24 hours after receiving purchase confirmation if booked at least 7 days before departure.
• Colombia Bookings (Right of Retraction): Under Colombian aviation and consumer regulations, passengers purchasing remotely may exercise a right of withdrawal (retracto) within specific statutory windows before departure, subject to lawful administrative retainers where permitted.
• Chile and Other Markets: LATAM’s domestic Chile operations and general Latin American international flights adhere strictly to the fare rules selected at the time of purchase unless a specific statutory withdrawal right applies.

If your booking does not fall under a specific national statutory protection, standard fare family cancellation penalties apply immediately upon ticketing.

LATAM Cancellation Fees

LATAM Airlines does not impose a single, fixed cancellation fee across its global network. Instead, cancellation fees vary according to:

• The fare family purchased (e.g., Plus vs. Top)
• Whether the route is domestic or international
• The currency and country of purchase
• Whether cancellation occurs well in advance or close to departure

Because cancellation fees are embedded directly into individual fare construction rules, passengers should not rely on third-party fee estimates. To view the exact fee applicable to your journey:

1. Log into your booking via My Trips.
2. Select the ticket return/cancellation option.
3. The system will display the breakdown of the original fare paid, the exact cancellation penalty deducted, and the net refundable balance prior to confirmation.

How to Cancel a LATAM Flight Online

If your ticket was purchased directly through LATAM Airlines (via latamairlines.com or the official mobile app), you can generally review and process ticket cancellations online.

Overview Workflow

1. Step 1: Open latamairlines.com and navigate to "My Trips"
2. Step 2: Enter your 6-character Reservation Code (PNR) and Passenger Last Name
3. Step 3: Retrieve the booking and locate "Change or return tickets"
4. Step 4: Review the cancellation breakdown, applicable fees, and net refund
5. Step 5: Confirm the cancellation to finalize the return

Step-by-Step Cancellation Guide

1. Access the Portal: Open the official LATAM website and click on the My Trips link located in the primary navigation header.
2. Retrieve Reservation: Input your 6-character alphanumeric reservation code (PNR) or order number, alongside the passenger’s last name as ticketed.
3. Select Management Options: On the trip details screen, click the option to modify or return tickets.
4. Evaluate Terms: The system displays whether the fare qualifies for a cash refund, a LATAM travel voucher, or tax returns only, showing any applicable penalty fees.
5. Confirm Cancellation: Only confirm the request after reviewing the final return total. Once confirmed online, the flight reservation is immediately released and cannot be reinstated.

For additional self-service adjustments, see our guide to LATAM Airlines Manage Booking.

LATAM Refund Policy: Ticket Types Explained

Refundable Tickets

Tickets issued under premium or fully flexible fare classes (such as Top or Premium Business) provide the greatest cancellation latitude. However, "refundable" does not always equate to a 100% penalty-free cash return. Depending on the specific fare conditions chosen at checkout, a designated administrative or cancellation penalty may be deducted from the refund total. Always review fare family terms during initial purchase.

Non-Refundable Tickets

Standard economy fares (Basic and Light) are strictly non-refundable for passenger-initiated voluntary cancellations. If you choose not to travel on a non-refundable ticket:

• The base airfare and carrier-imposed surcharges are forfeited.
• Certain unutilized passenger-specific airport charges and statutory government departure taxes may be reclaimed upon formal application.
• If LATAM cancels or materially alters the flight, the non-refundable status is overridden, giving you the right to request a full refund.

Partially Used Tickets

If you have completed the outbound leg of a round-trip or multi-city journey and wish to cancel the remaining sectors, any potential refund is calculated according to the used coupon value. LATAM’s revenue management re-prices the flown segments as a standalone one-way itinerary at historical fare rates. Because one-way fares are frequently priced higher than half of a round-trip fare, the residual value of the unused return ticket is often negligible after applying cancellation fees.

What Happens If LATAM Cancels Your Flight?

When LATAM cancels a flight due to operational constraints, technical delays, weather disruptions, or air traffic control restrictions, you are protected under involuntary disruption procedures:

• Alternative Flight Rebooking: LATAM will attempt to rebook you automatically onto the next available flight to your destination at no additional charge. You can accept the proposed schedule or select an alternative date/time within permitted operational flexibility windows directly inside My Trips.
• Full Involuntary Refund: If the alternative schedule offered by LATAM is unsuitable, you have the right to decline rebooking and request a full refund of the unused ticket sectors, regardless of whether your original fare was non-refundable.
• Duty of Care: Depending on the jurisdiction and the underlying cause of the delay (controllable vs. extraordinary circumstances), LATAM provides assistance such as meal vouchers, communication access, and overnight hotel accommodations where applicable under local aviation laws.

To verify whether your flight is currently operating on schedule, check our LATAM Airlines Flight Status operational tracker.

What If LATAM Changes Your Flight Schedule?

Airlines occasionally adjust timetables weeks or months in advance of departure. A minor schedule change (e.g., a departure adjusted by 10 to 15 minutes) does not automatically entitle a passenger to a free cancellation or refund.

However, if LATAM implements a significant schedule change (materially altering flight departure times, adding an unexpected connection, or changing departure/arrival dates), passengers are typically offered:

• A free flight date/time change on an alternative LATAM flight within an authorized date range.
• A full refund of the unused ticket if the alternative schedule is incompatible with the traveller's plans.

Statutory definitions of a "significant change" vary: for instance, U.S. DOT rules establish specific hourly departure/arrival thresholds triggering mandatory refund rights for U.S. itineraries, while other regional authorities evaluate schedule shifts case by case.

How to Request a LATAM Refund

The refund submission pathway depends on where and how the ticket was originally issued:

• Online via My Trips: For tickets booked directly on latamairlines.com or through the LATAM mobile app, eligible refunds should be initiated directly through the self-service ticket return module.
• Via the LATAM Help Center (Create a Case): If your ticket cannot be processed through automated self-service (e.g., due to medical emergencies, death of an immediate family member, or complex multi-carrier ticketing), submit a formal refund request via the Help Center's "Create a Case" system.
• Agency Bookings: If your reservation was purchased through a travel agent, online aggregator, or corporate booking portal, your refund request must be lodged directly with that agency.

Refund Processing Time

LATAM processes approved refunds back to the original method of payment. However, refund timelines are determined by the payment instrument and banking infrastructure:

• Credit Card Transactions: LATAM submits the refund instruction to the card-issuing network. The time required for the credit to appear on your billing statement depends on your card issuer's billing cycle (typically 1 to 2 statement cycles).
• Alternative Payment Methods / Direct Bank Debits: Local payment methods (such as cash transfers, debit cards, or regional billing networks) may take additional business days to clear through local settlement systems.
• LATAM Travel Vouchers: When passengers opt for an electronic travel credit or voucher, issuance is generally faster than external bank transfers.

Bookings Made Through a Travel Agency

If your ticket was issued by an Online Travel Agency (such as Expedia, Booking.com, or Trip.com) or a traditional high-street travel management company:

• Primary Responsibility: The travel agency acts as the merchant of record and maintains control over the financial transaction coupons.
• Cancellation Procedures: In most cases, LATAM’s website will display your itinerary for viewing, but will restrict voluntary cancellations or monetary returns, displaying a notice directing you to contact your issuing travel agent.
• Agency Service Fees: Travel agencies may charge independent administrative fees for processing ticket cancellations in addition to any LATAM fare penalties.

What Happens If You Miss Your Flight (No-Show)?

Failing to board your flight without formally cancelling prior to departure is treated as a no-show:

• Automatic Cancellation of Onward Legs: Under standard airline reservation rules, missing any coupon segment on a ticket often results in the automatic system cancellation of all remaining onward and return sectors.
• No-Show Fees: If your fare allows post-departure changes or refunds, substantial no-show penalties will apply on top of standard cancellation fees.
• Non-Refundable Forfeiture: On Basic and Light fares, a no-show universally forfeits the entire airfare. Only certain government security and departure taxes may remain claimable depending on regional legislation.

[!TIP] If you know you will miss a departure, always cancel or change the segment in My Trips prior to check-in closing. For exact airport check-in cut-offs, consult our LATAM Airlines Check-in Guide.

Change vs Cancel a LATAM Flight

Before cancelling an itinerary, evaluate whether changing your flight dates is a more economical option:

To compare change rules and check date-modification availability, consult our guide to LATAM Airlines Manage Booking. For baggage inclusions on rebooked fares, see the LATAM Airlines Baggage Allowance guide.

Country-Specific Cancellation and Refund Rights

Statutory passenger protection laws take precedence over LATAM's standard contractual fare rules. Key market-specific frameworks include:

United States

• 24-Hour DOT Rule: Unconditional cancellation without penalty within 24 hours of booking for direct purchases made at least one week prior to departure on flights touching U.S. airports.
• Mandatory Disruption Refunds: Passengers are entitled to prompt cash refunds if LATAM cancels a flight or makes a significant schedule change and the passenger declines alternative transportation.

Brazil

• Right of Regret (Direito de Arrependimento): Under Article 49 of the Consumer Defense Code and ANAC Resolution 400, purchases completed online qualify for free cancellation within 7 days of purchase, provided the transaction occurs at least 7 days before departure.
• Boarding Tax Refunds: Unutilized airport boarding taxes (Tarifa de Embarque) must always be refunded to the passenger in Brazil, even on non-refundable promotional fares.

Colombia

• Right of Retraction (Derecho de Retracto): Under aeronautical and consumer regulations, travellers purchasing via digital channels may retract purchases within 48 to 120 hours of booking (depending on departure timing) subject to statutory administrative deductions.
• Right of Withdrawal (Desistimiento): Allows passengers on eligible domestic itineraries to withdraw from travel prior to departure, allowing the airline to retain a legally defined percentage of the fare.

European Union / United Kingdom

• Flight Cancellations under EC 261/2004: For LATAM flights departing from an EU/UK airport (e.g., flights from Madrid, Frankfurt, London, or Milan), passengers impacted by airline cancellations are entitled to re-routing or a full refund within 7 days, alongside statutory compensation unless the cancellation was caused by extraordinary circumstances.

Refund vs Compensation

Travellers frequently conflate refunds with statutory compensation:

• Ticket Refund: The reimbursement of the unused portion of your airfare, carrier charges, and airport taxes when a flight is cancelled or returned.
• Disruption Compensation: A separate punitive or standardized financial indemnity mandated by specific consumer laws (such as EU/UK 261 or local aviation decrees) paid to passengers when flight cancellations or extended delays occur under the airline’s operational control.

A flight cancellation caused by severe weather or air traffic restrictions may entitle you to a full refund of your ticket, but does not qualify for statutory compensation.

Assistance and Support Channels

If you encounter technical issues when cancelling a booking or need to submit documentation for special circumstances (such as medical hospitalization or bereavement):

• Digital Help Center: Submit supporting documentation through LATAM’s online case portal.
• LATAM Contact Center: Reach telephone representatives for complex multi-city or special-assistance cancellations.
• Airport Customer Service: Available for immediate same-day flight disruption management.

For detailed contact numbers and regional routing, review our LATAM Airlines Customer Care directory.