What is Lufthansa Cancellation Policy?

Lufthansa’s cancellation policy offers flexible refunds and compensation. If you’re flying with Lufthansa, you’ll want to know exactly what options are available when you change your travel plans. From a flexible 24-hour cancellation window to comprehensive fare-based rules and compensation for flight disruptions, the airline has systematic guidelines for cancellations, refunds, and compensation.

In this guide, we will break down everything from cancellation fees by fare class, how to cancel your booking, refund eligibility, and compensation for flight disruption. 

Lufthansa 24-hour Cancellation Policy

For flights that originate or land in the US and Canada, the airline offers a full refund within 24 hours of booking a flight, provided:

• The scheduled departure date must be booked at least a week in advance.
• Reservations made through Miles and More are not eligible for a refund within 24 hours.

Does Lufthansa allow cancellation?

Yes, Lufthansa’s Flex fare offers cancellation, where passengers can claim a refund on the remaining value, and is subject to a cancellation fee. 

For instance, Light and Basic fares are non-refundable, while Flex fares are refundable.

Also, you need to check the specific fare rules for your ticket, which are found in the booking confirmation email under the section ‘Fare Conditions’. 

If the fare permits cancellation, you can initiate a refund through the My Booking section on Lufthansa’s website.

In addition, passengers must cancel the reservation up to 24 hours before flight departure. 

How can I cancel my Lufthansa Flight booking?

Online flight cancellation: For tickets bought online, the refund would be processed in the original method of payment.

Additionally, travelers have up to 24 hours before to departure to cancel a Lufthansa flight online.

Follow these steps:

• Go to the My Booking section of the official Lufthansa website.
• Retrieve your booking with your last name and booking code (PNR).
• Select the flight segment that you want to cancel. If your flight booking is eligible for a refund, you’ll see a ‘Cancellation’ button.
• Follow the prompts to confirm the cancellation. 
• Once processed, you will receive a confirmation email as well as cancellation receipts.

Cancel via phone: Passengers seeking assistance related to the complex booking or the reservations that do not permit online cancellation, simply call the Lufthansa customer service. 

• Dial the Lufthansa travel support for your country or point of departure. You can do this by clicking on the Help & Contact section on the homepage. 

• Provide your booking reference and reservation details for verification. 
• Request the agent to cancel your booking.
• Inquire about the fare rules associated with your reservation, and check the applicable Lufthansa cancellation fee. 

Cancel at the Airport: If you’re at the airport and approaching the departure time, make sure you complete the cancellation request up to 3 hours before departure. 

This method is applicable for passengers who are facing a delay in the flight schedule or other kinds of disruptions. 

• Go to the Lufthansa ticketing desk at the airport.
• Present your valid ID and booking details to the Lufthansa flight representative. 
• Before you request a flight cancellation, ask the agent to check what the options for refund or rebooking options. 
• The airline will check the fare rules and process the cancellation if permitted. 

What is Lufthansa Airlines’ Cancellation Fee?

Lufthansa’s cancellation fee varies with the fare type. The most restrictive fare allows no cancellation or very limited refunds. For instance, in the screenshot below, we have browsed for flights between New York (JFK) and Berlin (BER). You can see the cancellation penalty for all Economy Class fares.

Similarly, you can see that Premium Economy’s basic fare is restricted and does not allow cancellation. On the other hand, its Flex fare allows cancellation and is subject to a fee. 

If a passenger chooses Business Class, the Basic fare as well as the Flex fare are refundable and are subject to a cancellation fee. 

Here is a table summarising the Lufthansa cancellation fee for each of the classes of service and their fares 

Cabin Class	Fare Type	Cancellation Fee (USD)
Economy	Economy Light	Not possible
	Economy Basic	Not possible
	Economy Flex	300
Premium Economy	Premium Economy Basic	Not possible
	Premium Economy Flex	400
Business Class	Business Basic	Not possible
	Business Flex	500

What is Lufthansa Airlines’ Refund Policy?

If Lufthansa cancels your flight or makes a major change in your flight schedule, you’re entitled to a refund, regardless of the fare type. 

As per Lufthansa’s cancellation policy and U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) guidelines, under the following circumstances, passengers are eligible for a full refund. 

• Your flight is canceled.
• It is informed that you leave three hours early for domestic travel and six hours early for foreign travel.
• The number of stopovers or layovers has increased.
• You’re downgraded to a lower class of service.
• You’re a disabled passenger, and the accessibility services are no longer available.
• Delay in flights for 3 hours or more.  

However, a full refund is not applicable if:

• The passenger accepts the flight itinerary or compensation options.
• You respond to the revised flight offers before the scheduled departure. 

How can I get my Lufthansa flight refunded?

If you need to cancel your Lufthansa flight and request a refund for your Lufthansa flight reservation, there are multiple ways to do so.

Online via “My Bookings”: This is the most convenient way to request a Lufthansa flight cancellation. All you need to do is:

• Go to the Lufthansa’s My Booking section, and log in with your reservation details.
• Check for the refund options for your existing itinerary. 
• Follow the on-screen prompts to cancel your flight 

Use the Lufthansa Chat Assistant: Passengers can request a refund by interacting with Lufthansa’s Chat Assistant. Click on the Help button at the top right of the homepage. The virtual assistant will help passengers with refundable and non-refundable fares. 

Submit a refund request form: Passengers unable to refund online or through Chat Assistant, Lufthansa offers an alternative refund form. This way,y the request will be manually reviewed and processed by the customer service team. 

Travel agency bookings: If passengers booked through a travel agency or online travel portal, you need to contact them directly. 

What Are My Rights as a Passenger if My Lufthansa Flight Is Disrupted?

Under the Lufthansa cancellation policy, passengers’ rights are protected under the EU Regulation (EC) No. 261/2004. This clause covers situations like:

• Flight cancellation.
• Flight delays
• Passenger denied boarding
• Class of service downgrade.

Do I Qualify for Compensation Under the EU Passenger Rights Regulation?

Yes, but the passenger meets the following conditions:

• Must hold a confirmed booking.
• You have checked in on time and are holding a valid boarding pass (at least 45 minutes before departure).
• You have booked a published fare (promotional fares do not offer any compensation for flight disruption).

The above-mentioned regulations are not acceptable if you have already received compensation in another country or the flight is cancelled due to extraordinary events like severe weather, war-like-sitaution or political unrest.

What Happens if My Lufthansa Flight Is Delayed?

You are entitled to care and support if your flight is delayed by two hours or more, including:

• Complimentary meals and drinks (in relation to the waiting time).
• Hotel accommodation and airport transfer (if an overnight stay is demanded).
• Access to two phone calls and emails.

Below is the table outlining the compensation for flight delays with Lufthansa under the EU law:

Delay Duration	Flight Distance	Compensation
2+ hours	Flights under 1,500 km	€250
3+ hours	Flights 1,500–3,500 km OR within EU over 1,500 km	€400
4+ hours	Flights over 3,500 km	€600

If the delay exceeds 5 hours or more, passengers can claim a full refund or a return flight to the original point.

What Are My Rights if I’m Denied Boarding Due to Overbooking?

You have the following rights if Lufthansa overbooked a flight and you were requested not to board even though your boarding pass was valid:

• Claim a refund along with possible compensation.
• Rebooking as early as possible under comparable conditions.
• Hotel accommodation and airport transfer (If the new flight is scheduled the next day).

Compensation for denied boarding varies with the flight distance, as mentioned in the table given below:

Flight Distance	Compensation
Flights under 1,500 km	€250
Flights 1,500–3,500 km OR within EU over 1,500 km	€400
Flights over 3,500 km	€600

Note: If Lufthansa offers a flight that arrives within 1-2 hours of the originally scheduled time, the above-mentioned compensation is reduced by 50%.

Passengers are not eligible for compensation if they are denied boarding due to missing documents, health concerns, or any other reason that is within their control. 

What If My Lufthansa Flight Is Cancelled?

If your Lufthansa flight is canceled, you can choose one of the following options:

• Rebooking on the next available flight.
• A full refund on your ticket.

You may qualify for compensation given in the table below if:

• You were notified about the flight cancellation within 14 days of the scheduled departure.
• The cancellation is due to the extraordinary circumstances.

Flight Distance	Compensation
Flights under 1,500 km	€250
Flights 1,500–3,500 km OR within EU over 1,500 km	€400
Flights over 3,500 km	€600

Can I Receive Compensation if I’m Downgraded on My Lufthansa Flight?

Yes, if Lufthansa asks you to settle for a lower class of service than what you’ve purchased, you’re eligible for the following compensation:

Flight Distance	Refund Percentage
Up to 1,500 km	30% of the refund value
1,500–3,500 km (or over 1,500 km within the EU)	50% of the refund value
Over 3,500 km	75% of the refund value

Conclusion

Understanding Lufthansa’s cancellation policy can save you time and help you with last-minute hassles. Whether your plans have been postponed suddenly or your flight has been disrupted by the airline, knowing your rights and how to claim a refund can ensure a stress-free experience. 

With the right kind of information, passengers can navigate the Lufthansa policies with ease and make informed decisions related to their travel. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)