Sun Country Airlines Ticket Cancellation Policy: What You Need to Know

Travel May 29, 2025 23 Add to Reading List

Travel plans don’t always go as expected. Whether it’s a family emergency, work commitment, health issue, or just a change of mind, sometimes you need to cancel a flight. If you’ve booked with Sun Country Airlines Ticket Cancellation Policy or are thinking about doing so it’s important to understand how their ticket cancellation policy works.

Sun Country Airlines, a low-cost carrier based in the United States, is known for offering affordable flights across the U.S., Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. While it offers competitive fares, the trade-off with many budget airlines is that their ticket change and cancellation policies can be stricter than those of full-service airlines. That said, Sun Country has taken steps in recent years to make its policies clearer and more traveler-friendly.

This article breaks down the key details of Sun Country’s ticket cancellation policy, including time limits, refund eligibility, fees, travel credit rules, and more—so you can make informed decisions about your travel.

Understanding Sun Country’s Fare Types

Before diving into the cancellation rules, it helps to know that Sun Country offers different types of fares, and the cancellation policy can vary depending on what kind of ticket you’ve purchased. While the airline doesn’t typically divide fares into elaborate classes like major airlines, the rules often depend on:

How far in advance you cancel
Whether your ticket was purchased with cash or points
If you bought any additional flexibility or travel protection

24-Hour Free Cancellation Rule

Sun Country Airlines follows a 24-hour risk-free cancellation policy, which is a requirement for most airlines that operate in or from the United States. Here’s how it works:

If you book a flight directly with Sun Country and cancel within 24 hours of booking, you are eligible for a full refund, as long as the flight is at least seven days (168 hours) away.
This rule applies regardless of fare type.
The refund is typically returned to your original payment method.

Tip: If you’re unsure about your travel plans, booking early and using this 24-hour window can give you peace of mind without locking you in.

Cancelling After 24 Hours

If more than 24 hours have passed since you booked your ticket, the cancellation rules depend largely on when and how you cancel.

1. Cancelling More Than 60 Days Before Departure

If you cancel your flight more than 60 days before the scheduled departure, Sun Country does not charge a cancellation fee. Instead of a refund, you'll receive a credit for the full value of your ticket. This credit can be used for future travel with Sun Country.

2. Cancelling Between 59 and 14 Days Before Departure

If you cancel your flight between 14 and 59 days prior to the departure date, Sun Country charges a cancellation fee. The fee typically ranges between $39 and $59, depending on the route and fare type. The rest of the ticket value is issued as a credit for future travel.

3. Cancelling Less Than 14 Days Before Departure

If you cancel less than 14 days before your flight, the cancellation fee increases—usually to $79 or more. Again, you won’t get a cash refund, but you will receive a credit for the remaining value after the fee is deducted.

Note: These fees are subject to change, and promotions or special situations (like public health emergencies) may affect them.

How Travel Credits Work

If you cancel your flight and receive a Sun Country travel credit, here’s what you need to know:

Validity: Credits are usually valid for one year from the date they were issued.
Transferability: In most cases, travel credits are non-transferable. Only the original ticket holder can use the credit.
Use: You can use the credit to book a new flight, but you must complete the booking within the expiration window—even if the actual travel date is later.
Partial Use: If the new flight costs less than your credit amount, the remaining balance may stay in your account (depending on the airline’s current policy).

Refundable vs. Non-Refundable Tickets

Sun Country primarily sells non-refundable tickets. This means you won’t get your money back in cash unless you meet the criteria for the 24-hour cancellation rule or have bought a refundable fare, which is usually more expensive.

Refundable tickets are not always easy to find on the airline's booking system, as the majority of passengers opt for lower-cost options. If you know your travel plans may change, paying a little more for flexibility might be worth it.

What If Sun Country Cancels Your Flight?

Sometimes, it’s the airline—not you—that cancels a flight. If that happens:

You are entitled to a full refund, regardless of fare type.
You may also be offered the option to rebook on another Sun Country flight, depending on availability.
If the cancellation causes significant delays or impacts your travel plans, Sun Country may offer vouchers, meal allowances, or even hotel stays under certain circumstances, though this is typically evaluated case by case.

Changing Your Flight Instead of Cancelling

If you’re not ready to cancel your trip entirely but just need to change the date or destination, Sun Country allows you to modify your booking (for a fee).

Change Fees: Like cancellation fees, change fees vary based on how far in advance the change is made.
Fare Difference: If the new flight costs more than your original booking, you will need to pay the difference.
No Refunds for Cheaper Flights: If the new flight is cheaper, you usually won’t get the difference refunded as cash, though you might get a credit.

What About No-Shows?

If you simply don’t show up for your flight and haven’t canceled in advance, your entire booking is forfeited. No refund, no credit. Sun Country, like many airlines, follows a strict no-show policy.

To avoid this:

Cancel your ticket in advance, even if you’re close to departure.
It’s better to pay a cancellation fee and get some credit back than to lose the full amount.

Sun Country Travel Protection

When booking, Sun Country may offer travel protection through third-party insurance providers. This can be a good idea if you want extra peace of mind. Depending on the policy, it may cover:

Trip cancellations for covered reasons (illness, weather, etc.)
Emergency medical expenses while traveling
Lost or delayed baggage
Travel delays

If you’ve purchased travel insurance, check the terms of your policy to see what’s covered. Filing a claim through travel protection is different from cancelling through the airline directly.

COVID-19 and Flexible Travel

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many airlines—including Sun Country—adopted more flexible policies to accommodate sudden changes in travel restrictions or personal health issues. While most of these temporary policies have been phased out, Sun Country may still offer waivers during exceptional circumstances like health outbreaks, weather disruptions, or airport closures.

It’s always smart to stay informed about current policies close to your travel date.

How to Cancel a Sun Country Flight

Here’s a step-by-step on how you can cancel your booking:

1. Log In to Your Account

Visit the airline's booking platform and access your trip using your reservation number and last name.

2. Select "Manage My Trip"

Find your booking, then select the cancel option. It will show you the cancellation fee (if applicable) and how much credit or refund you’ll receive.

3. Confirm the Cancellation

Once you confirm, you’ll receive an email with cancellation details and credit information if eligible.

Final Thoughts

Cancelling a flight isn’t ideal, but it doesn’t have to be stressful. Sun Country Airlines offers a reasonably clear cancellation policy compared to other low-cost carriers, especially if you cancel well in advance. Understanding the timing, fees, and how credits work can save you money—and frustration—when your travel plans change.

Whether you're booking months in advance or dealing with a last-minute emergency, knowing the ins and outs of Sun Country Airlines Ticket Cancellation Policy helps you take control of your trip. So next time you book, keep flexibility in mind, consider travel protection, and don’t hesitate to reach out for support when you need it.