Check your fare information. Look on your paper ticket, e-ticket or receipt to see if the fare is fully or non-refundable. If the fare is refundable, you will pay a very low cancellation fee, or perhaps none at all. If the fare is non-refundable, expect to pay a hefty fee to change your reservation.
Cancel as soon as possible. Many airlines such as United, Delta and Continental allow all fares to be canceled with a full refund or credit within 24 hours of purchase. Travel sites such as Travelocity and Expedia also allow travelers 24 hours to cancel their reservations.
Call the airline's reservation center to cancel the ticket. Call the reservation center only if you booked the ticket directly with the airline. The reservation agent will inform you of any penalties or fees and issue your refund or future travel credit.
Call the travel site if you booked online. Although you can cancel on the travel site where you originally booked the ticket, calling the customer service line is often better. A sympathetic customer service representative can make the cancellation process easier. You may be able to negotiate a lower cancellation fee or switch flights without penalty.
