Planning a trip that involves seaplanes and the beautiful Pacific Northwest is exciting, but the logistics can be a bit more "fluid" than your average airport experience. Whether you're heading to the San Juan Islands or catching a flight to Victoria, B.C., understanding the Kenmore Air Cancellation Policy is key to keeping your travel stress-low and your options open.

Kenmore Air operates a mix of scheduled seaplane flights, land-plane service, and private charters. Because they fly smaller aircraft into unique locations, their rules for getting a refund or changing a flight are a bit more specific than what you'd find at a massive international airline.

The 24-Hour Cutoff: The Golden Rule

For most scheduled flights with Kenmore Air, the most important timeframe to remember is 24 hours. This is the line in the sand that determines whether you walk away with your money or your travel credits.

Cancellations Made More Than 24 Hours Prior

If you realize you can't make your trip and you notify the airline at least 24 hours before your flight is scheduled to take off, you are generally in good shape. Under the Kenmore Air Cancellation Policy, the value of your canceled flight is typically retained as a booking credit.

• Credit Validity: These credits are usually valid for 18 months from the date the reservation was first canceled.

• Transferability: A nice perk here is that these credits are often fully transferable, meaning if you can't use them, you might be able to gift them to a friend.

Cancellations Made Within 24 Hours

If you wait until there are less than 24 hours left before departure, the policy gets much stricter. Cancellations or changes made within this 24-hour window usually result in a full forfeiture of the fare. This means you won’t get a refund or a credit. The reason is simple: with only 6 to 10 seats on many of these planes, a late cancellation often means the plane flies with an empty seat that could have been sold to someone else.

Refund Eligibility and Fare Types

Not all tickets are created equal. Depending on how you booked, you might be eligible for a cash refund instead of just a credit.

Refundable vs. Non-Refundable Tickets

Kenmore Air does offer Refundable Ticket options at the time of purchase for a higher price.

• If you have a Refundable Ticket, you can get your money back to your original payment method, provided you cancel before that 24-hour deadline.

• Even with a refundable ticket, if you cancel within 24 hours, you still face the risk of forfeiting the fare. Always double-check your specific confirmation email for the exact terms.

The 24-Hour Purchase Grace Period

In line with U.S. Department of Transportation regulations, if you book a flight at least seven days before departure, you can usually cancel for a full refund within 24 hours of the moment you bought the ticket. This is a great safety net if you realize you booked the wrong date or made a typo.

Charter Flight Cancellation Rules

If you’ve booked a private charter for a wedding, a corporate event, or a group getaway, the stakes—and the rules—are a bit higher. Charters require more coordination and have a longer "lock-in" period.

For charters, the balance is typically charged in full 21 days before the flight, so make sure your group is committed before that three-week mark hits.

What Happens When Mother Nature Intervenes?

In the Pacific Northwest, weather is a major character in the travel story. High winds, low visibility, or heavy fog can ground seaplanes very quickly.

Weather Cancellations

If Kenmore Air has to cancel your flight due to weather, they are very fair about it. You generally have three choices:

1. Reschedule: Move to the next available flight at no extra cost.

2. Travel Credit: Take the full value of the flight as a credit for future use (valid for 18 months).

3. Full Refund: If you can't wait out the weather and need to find another way to travel, you can request a full refund to your original payment method.

It's important to note that while they refund the flight, they do not provide "additional compensation" for hotel stays or meals caused by "Acts of Mother Nature." It's always a good idea to have a backup plan (like the ferry or a rental car) if you're traveling during the stormy season.

How to Cancel or Change Your Flight

If you need to make a move, don't just hope they see an email. Speed is your friend.

• Online: You can often manage your booking through the Kenmore Air website using your confirmation number and last name.

• Phone: Call their reservations desk at 1-866-435-9524. This is the best way to handle urgent, last-minute changes.

• Email: You can reach out to customerservice@kenmoreair.com, but if you are approaching that 24-hour window, a phone call is much safer.

A Note on Third-Party Bookings

If you booked your flight through an online travel site like Expedia or Kayak, the Kenmore Air Cancellation Policy still applies, but you have to go through the third party to get your refund. Kenmore usually can't "touch" the money if you didn't pay them directly.

Summary Checklist for Travelers

To keep your plans on track, keep this mental checklist handy:

• Check the clock: Is it more than 24 hours before the flight?

• Identify your fare: Is it "Standard" (credit only) or "Refundable" (cash back)?

• Monitor the weather: If the clouds are low, stay by your phone for updates.

• Save your confirmation: You'll need that PNR code to make any changes.

Kenmore Air is a legendary way to see the Northwest, and while their planes are small, their commitment to getting you there is huge. A little bit of knowledge about their cancellation rules ensures that even if your plans change, your travel fund stays protected.