This article breaks down the key aspects of Qatar Airways’ cancellation policy, including how to cancel a flight, scenarios for compensation when a flight is delayed or canceled, and answers to essential information that passengers are looking for.
What Is Qatar Airways’ Cancellation Policy?
Qatar Airways has drafted rules and guidelines for flight cancellations, rebooking, and changes to the issued tickets on QR fares.
The policy outlines when passengers can cancel flights, how much is the penalty is, and under what circumstances passengers can claim refunds.
It also explains exceptional situations like no-show, bereavement, or operational disruption, ensuring passengers have options in such inevitable circumstances.
The cancellation policy is applied to both fully unused and partially used tickets, with specific conditions for refunds and taxes. For example, non-refundable fares do not allow refunds for surcharges like YQ/YR, the exception only applies in the case of extenuating events.
How Can Passengers Cancel a Qatar Airways Flight?
Below is a detailed overview of the different ways to cancel a Qatar Airways flight.
Cancelling Your Flight Online via the Qatar Airways Website: This is the most convenient and quick way to cancel the flight for passengers who directly book their flight reservation online.
- Go to www.qatarairways.com. On the homepage, click on “My Trips”.
- Enter the six-digit PNR or booking reference and the passengers’ last name to access your flight reservation.
- Select the segment or flight that you wish to cancel.
- Follow the on-screen prompts and you will see the Qatar Airways cancellation fee as well as any other additional cost on the page.
- Confirm the cancellation, and the refund amount will be displayed on the checkout page.
- The airline will send the confirmation email with details of the refund.
Cancelling via the Qatar Airways Mobile App: You can request a Qatar Airways flight cancellation on the go through the convenience of your smartphone.
- Download and launch the Qatar Airways mobile app.
- To access your flight reservation, either use your booking reference or log in using your Privilege Club login information.
- Choose the flight you need to cancel, then proceed as previously mentioned.
- Check your email for cancellation confirmation.
Cancelling Through Qatar Airways Support Desk: Passengers who need personalized assistance while canceling or having a flight reservation that does not allow cancellation you can cancel the flight by calling Qatar Airways.
- Visit the Qatar Airways Help Desk to verify the contact number for your location.
- Speak with a representative and provide your ticket number and your full name.
- The agent will inform you of any fees, refunds, or other rebooking options.
- After you request to cancel the flight, the airline will send the confirmation details.
How Does Qatar Airways Define a Refund?
As per Qatar Airways’ refund policy, the criteria for refund vary with the fare rule or conditions, such as:
If your fare is refundable: You may get a full or partial refund after deducting a Qatar Airways cancellation fee.
Non-refundable fare: No refund can be claimed for the base fare or the surcharge, which is the YQ/YR component on your flight ticket. Passengers can claim a refund for the airport taxes. Qatar Airways always asks for proof or documentation to claim the refunds.
If you’ve upgraded your non-refundable fare into a refundable fare: Base fare and surcharges are still not refundable. Only the new refundable component can be claimed.
How long is the ticket valid for a refund? Passengers who did not fly after booking the Qatar Airways flights have 12 months from the date of booking to claim a refund. If you have used one leg of the journey, you have 12 months from the date of scheduled departure.
Exception: If the passenger dies, their family can claim a full refund with a death certificate.
When Can You Cancel a Qatar Airways Flight?
Passengers can cancel Qatar Airways flights depending on the ticket type and the time at which they request flight cancellation.
If you haven’t used the ticket: Passengers can cancel anytime before the scheduled departure. If it’s a refundable fare, a cancellation fee may apply, and the remaining balance will be processed as a refund.
If you have flown one-way: The airline offers a refund between the original ticket cost and the one-way ticket cost minus the Qatar Airways cancellation fee.
When you can’t request cancellation or claim a refund: In case of a no-show, your flight ticket is not eligible for any refund. If the cancellation fee is higher than the base fare, no refund is offered.
What Happens If You Miss Your Qatar Airways Flight (No-Show)?
Passengers who are unable to cancel their Qatar Airways flight will be marked as a no-show. In such scenarios:
- You will be charged a no-show fee in addition to the Qatar Airways cancellation fee.
- For non-refundable fares, only airport taxes would be refunded, which are negligible in most the cases.
- If you miss a Qatar Airways flight due to a delay or cancellation caused by the airline, no-show fee would not be assessed.
- The most restrictive fare rule will be used if the flight ticket combines a flexible and promotional fare.
- Infants traveling on a lap are excluded from a no-show fee.
Below is a table reflecting the non-show fees for Qatar Airways
| Fare Type / Booking Class | No-Show Fee (USD) | Conditions / Notes |
| Economy (General) | 100-335 USD | Applies if the passenger fails to cancel/change at least 3 hours before departure. |
| Economy (Specific Routes) | 345 – 675 USD | For Italy/Spain, no-show applies if rebooked within 3 hours or after departure. |
| Business (J Class) | 500 USD | Applies if check-in is not completed at least 3 hours before departure. |
| General (Unspecified) | 405 USD | Flat no-show fee reported for a round-trip LAX-MHD ticket. May vary based on fare and route. |
| Privilege Club Members | ||
| – Platinum/Gold Members | Free | No fee applies |
| – Silver/Burgundy Members | 100 USD | Appliestor cancellations/changes within 3 hours or post-departure. |
| Special Cases | ||
| – No-show after check-in | 150 USD | NA |
| – Non-refundable tickets | Cancellation fee+ No-show | NA |
| – Rebooking post-no-show | Higher of the two fees | Either a no-show or reissue fee is charged — not both. |
What Are the Exceptions for Qatar Airways Refunds?
Qatar Airways offers refunds for the restricted or non-refundable fare under the following circumstances:
- If the flight is delayed or canceled, and the passenger has already booked an alternate flight.
- The flight will have to be canceled if the traveler or a member of their immediate family gets critically ill. A valid medical certificate is required to claim a refund.
- Refunds may be available in the event of strikes, natural disasters, or political upheaval.
- If Qatar immigration authorities deny a visa.
- Refunds may be issued due to technical or printing errors.
- Passengers barred from traveling on Qatar Airways flights due to blacklisting receive full refunds.
How much is the cancellation fee for Qatar Airways’ Privilege Club members?
The Privilege Club members may benefit from the reduced or waived Qatar Airways cancellation fee, depending on their tier and the cancellation:
| Time Before Departure | Platinum / Gold (Main Members) | Silver / Burgundy / Family/Guests of Platinum/Gold | All Passengers (No-Show) |
| More than 24 hours | No cancellation or refund fees | USD 25 cancellation fee | — |
| Between 3 and 24 hours | No cancellation or refund fees | USD 100 cancellation fee | — |
| Within 3 hours or after departure (No-Show) | Only airport/government taxes refunded | Only airport/government taxes refunded | Only airport/government taxes refunded |
What Compensation Is Available for Flight Cancellations?
As per Qatar Airways’ cancellation policy, the airline offers compensation if the flight is cancelled or delayed for at least 3 hours at the airline’s discretion.
Compensation to the passengers traveling with Qatar Airways depends on the flight distance:
| Flight Distance | Compensation Amount |
| Short-Haul (up to 1,500 km) | Up to €250 (approx. USD 275) |
| Medium-Haul (1,500–3,500 km) | Up to €400 (approx. USD 440) |
| Long-Haul (over 3,500 km) | Up to €600 (approx. USD 660) |
Passengers can only claim compensation if no alternate flight was offered to them.
Conclusion
Qatar Airways’ cancellation policy offers flexibility by giving passengers multiple options to manage their travel plans. Whether you’re requesting a flight cancellation due to personal reasons or seeking assistance for canceled or delayed flights, understanding the above-mentioned airline’s guidelines helps you manage your travel plans efficiently.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Refunds typically process within 2-4 weeks if booked through a credit card. For cash or bank transfer, a refund for a Qatar Airways booking may take up to 1-2 billing cycles.
A valid medical certificate confirming a severe illness is required to claim a full refund.
Yes, contact your travel agent to cancel, or you can contact Qatar Airways directly to request the flight cancellation.
If Qatar Airways cancels your flight, you may get a full refund on the unused part of the trip. For EU/UK flights, compensation of €250–€600 may apply.
Yes, if Qatar immigration denies your visa, you may be eligible for a refund, even for non-refundable fares.