When you're flying with a smaller regional carrier like Contour Airlines, the experience often feels more personal, but the rules can still feel a bit opaque. If you have a trip booked and life gets in the way, understanding the Contour Airlines Cancellation Policy is the first step toward saving your money or, at the very least, securing a credit for a future trip.

Unlike the major global carriers, Contour’s rules are very strictly tied to the specific "bucket" your ticket falls into. Whether you get a full refund, a travel voucher, or nothing at all depends entirely on the fare class you selected when you first clicked "buy."

The Three Tiers of Contour Fares

To understand if you can cancel, you first have to identify your ticket type. Contour generally sells three types of seats, each with its own set of "what-ifs."

1. Flexible Fares

As the name suggests, this is the gold standard for travelers who want peace of mind.

• Refundability: These are the only tickets that are fully refundable to your original form of payment.

• The Catch: You must cancel at least one hour before your scheduled departure. If you wait until after the plane takes off, the ticket loses its value.

2. Standard Fares

Most travelers find themselves in this middle ground.

• Refundability: These are non-refundable in terms of cash. You won't see the money back on your credit card statement.

• The Credit Option: If you cancel at least one hour before departure, you can receive a "Courtesy Credit" (also known as a Future Travel Voucher). This credit is usually valid for 365 days from the date you originally booked the flight.

3. Super Saver Fares

These are the budget-friendly, "use it or lose it" tickets.

• The Rule: Super Saver fares are generally non-refundable and cannot be cancelled for a travel credit. If you can’t make the flight, the money is essentially gone. This is why these fares are so much cheaper—you are trading flexibility for a lower price.

The 24-Hour "Free" Cancellation Rule

Regardless of which fare you bought—even a Super Saver—there is one universal escape hatch. Following U.S. Department of Transportation regulations, the Contour Airlines Cancellation Policy includes a 24-hour grace period.

• The Requirement: You must have booked your flight at least seven days (168 hours) before the departure date.

• The Benefit: You can cancel within 24 hours of the moment you booked and receive a 100% refund to your original payment method, no questions asked.

Pro Tip: If you realize you made a typo or picked the wrong date ten minutes after booking, don't try to "fix" it. Just cancel the whole thing under the 24-hour rule and start over. It's much cleaner.

Cancellation Fees and Hidden Costs

In a surprising move for the industry, Contour Airlines has moved away from traditional "penalty fees" for their Standard and Flexible fares.

• No Change/Cancel Fee: For Standard and Flexible tickets, you won't be charged a $150 or $200 fee just to hit the cancel button.

• Fare Differences: If you decide to rebook instead of just cancelling, you will have to pay the difference in price between your old ticket and the new one.

• The One-Hour Cutoff: This is the most important "fee" to avoid. If you fail to cancel at least one hour before departure, you forfeit the entire fare. There is no "no-show" credit in the Contour Airlines Cancellation Policy.

How to Actually Cancel Your Flight

Since Contour is a smaller operation, you have a few ways to get this done, but some are faster than others.

Method 1: The Online Portal

Go to the Contour Airlines website and look for "Manage Booking." You’ll need your confirmation code (six characters) and the passenger's last name. If your ticket is eligible for a credit or refund, the system will walk you through the steps. This is the best way to handle cancellations in the middle of the night or on weekends.

Method 2: Calling Customer Experience

If the website is giving you trouble, or if you have a special circumstance (like a death in the family or a medical emergency), call them at 1-888-332-6686.

• Note: There is sometimes a $25 fee for bookings made over the phone, but usually, if you are calling just to cancel an existing booking, they won't charge you extra for the help.

Method 3: Email Support

For non-urgent requests, you can email customercare@contourairlines.com. This is particularly useful if you need to attach documentation, like a doctor’s note, to request a refund on a non-refundable ticket.

What Happens if Contour Cancels the Flight?

If the airline is the one who cancels—whether due to a mechanical issue, weather, or operational "tweaks"—the rules change entirely.

If Contour cancels your flight and you choose not to take the replacement flight they offer, you are legally entitled to a full cash refund, even if you had a non-refundable Super Saver ticket. You do not have to accept a travel voucher if the airline is the one who broke the contract of carriage.

Final Thoughts for Travelers

The biggest takeaway for the Contour Airlines Cancellation Policy is the "One Hour Rule." As long as you notify them at least 60 minutes before the flight, you can usually save the value of your ticket (unless it's a Super Saver).

Keep an eye on your clock and your confirmation email. If you’re ever in doubt, a quick call to their Nashville-based support team can usually clear things up before you lose your fare.