Bering Air Cancellation Policy

When you're flying in Western Alaska, things can be a bit unpredictable. Whether it’s a sudden shift in the weather or a change in your own schedule, knowing the Bering Air Cancellation Policy is essential for any traveler heading out of Nome, Kotzebue, or Unalakleet. Because Bering Air serves remote communities where logistics are tight, their rules are straightforward but specific.

If you find yourself needing to change your plans, here is a breakdown of how the rules, fees, and refund options work in plain English.

The Basics of the Bering Air Cancellation Policy

Bering Air isn’t like the massive international carriers. They operate a specialized fleet for unique terrain, which means their ticketing rules are designed to keep those small planes moving efficiently.

The most important thing to know is that tickets are valid for one year from the date they are issued. This gives you a lot of breathing room if you can’t make your original flight but plan on traveling later. However, if you want your money back instead of just a credit, things get a bit more technical.

Key Rules at a Glance:

Validity: One year from the issue date.
Transferability: Tickets are non-transferable. You can't give your seat to a friend if you can't go.
Directional Use: Round-trip tickets must be used in the order they were issued.
Refund Eligibility: Only "Eligible Tickets" (refundable fares) can be returned for cash or credit card reversals.

Cancellation Fees and Processing Costs

Nobody likes fees, but Bering Air is very transparent about theirs. If you have a refundable ticket and decide to cancel it for a refund to your original payment method, they apply a standard processing fee.

Standard Refund Fee: Expect a $50.00 processing fee per ticket.
Partial Refunds: If you bought a round-trip ticket, used the first half, and want to refund the return leg, the math changes. They will subtract the full one-way fare from what you paid, and then take the $50.00 fee out of whatever is left.

Note: If you paid by cash or check, the refund process is a bit "old school." The accounting office in Nome handles these, and it usually takes about 4 to 6 weeks for a check to arrive in your mailbox. Credit card refunds are faster, typically showing up within 30 days.

Refundable vs. Non-Refundable Fares

Not every ticket is created equal. When you book, you’ll usually see different fare classes.

Refundable (Flex) Fares

These are the gold standard for flexibility. If you think your plans might shift, paying a bit more upfront for a refundable fare can save you a headache later. You'll still pay the $50 fee to get your money back, but the rest of the fare is returned to you.

Non-Refundable (Saver) Fares

These are the budget-friendly options. Often, these tickets cannot be refunded at all. If you cancel, you likely won't see that money back. However, Bering Air sometimes allows these to be held as a credit for future travel within that one-year validity window—but you should always confirm this with an agent at the time of cancellation.

How to Cancel Your Flight

Bering Air relies heavily on its local "Village Agents" and station offices. You won't always find a "Cancel" button on a mobile app like you would with a major airline.

Step-by-Step Cancellation:

Call the Station: The fastest way to cancel is to call the specific station where you bought the ticket or where your flight departs.
- Nome & Unalakleet: 907-443-5464
- Kotzebue: 907-442-3943
Contact the Village Agent: If you are in one of the smaller communities, reach out to the local agent listed on your itinerary.
Written Requests: For formal refund requests, you can write to their main office:

Bering Air, Inc. Attn: Ticket Refund P.O. Box 1650 Nome, Alaska 99762

The "No-Show" Rule: A Costly Mistake

In the world of bush flying, empty seats are a big deal. If you don't show up for your flight and haven't notified Bering Air in advance, you fall under the No-Show Policy.

Typically, if you are a no-show, the entire value of the ticket segment is forfeited. You won't get a refund, and you won't be able to use that portion of the ticket for a future flight. Always call at least a few hours before departure if you know you won't make it.

Weather-Related Cancellations

In Alaska, the weather is the ultimate boss. If Bering Air cancels your flight due to "weather or loads" (which happens more often than anyone likes), the rules are a bit different.

Usually, if the airline cancels the flight, they will work to get you on the next available plane at no extra cost. If the delay is significant and you can no longer travel, you are often eligible for a full refund or a travel credit without the $50 fee, but this is handled on a case-by-case basis depending on the circumstances of the delay.

Changes and Modifications

If you don't want to cancel but just need to change the date, you're in luck. Since tickets are valid for a year, you can often "rebook" for a different date.

Fare Difference: If the new flight is more expensive than your original one, you'll have to pay the difference.
Change Fees: While they focus mostly on refund fees, always ask if a "change fee" applies to your specific fare class before you commit to the new time.

Final Tips for Bering Air Travelers

Check-In Early: Check-in is one hour before departure. If you aren't there 20 minutes before the plane leaves, they might give your seat away and count you as a no-show.
Keep Your Receipt: Especially for tickets bought with cash or at village stations, keeping your physical or digital receipt is vital for proving "issue date" for that one-year validity.
Ask About "Gold Points": If you fly frequently, make sure your cancellation doesn't affect your Gold Points (their loyalty program). Points are only earned once you actually fly the segment.

Understanding the Bering Air Cancellation Policy isn't too complicated once you realize it's all about communication. As long as you talk to the agents in Nome or Kotzebue before your flight takes off, you usually have options to save the value of your ticket for another day.