Country: Colombia ·
Hub: Bogotá (BOG) ·
Alliance: Star Alliance ·
IATA code: AV
24-hour free cancellation: Yes — a full refund is typically available within 24 hours of booking if departure is at least 7 days away, under the US DOT rule for tickets purchased in the United States.
Typical refund timeline: Typically 7–20 business days for credit card refunds; cash refunds may take up to 8 weeks.
Avianca is Colombia's flag carrier and a Star Alliance member, hubbed in Bogotá (BOG) with wide US service into Colombia, Central America and the rest of South America. From gateways like Miami, New York, Fort Lauderdale and Los Angeles, travelers connect over Bogotá across the region. Avianca uses lowercase branded fares — xs, basic, classic and flex — plus Premium Economy and Business; there is no separate First cabin. The LifeMiles program governs award value, upgrades and elite perks. For US flyers, the branded fare you pick largely determines what a later change or cancellation will cost.
How Avianca change and cancellation fees actually work in 2026
Avianca's costs depend mainly on your branded fare. xs is the most restrictive and may not allow changes at all, while basic, classic and flex add flexibility as you go up. As an indicative 2026 guide, economy changes run near $120 and cancellations near $200; Premium Economy typically $90 and $150; Business roughly $50 and $100.
Any fee sits on top of the fare difference when the new flight is pricier. Because Avianca has no First cabin, Business is the top tier. LifeMiles award tickets follow separate redeposit rules. All figures are indicative and may vary by route, season and issuing office.
Avianca 24-hour free cancellation rule
For tickets purchased in the United States, Avianca typically applies the US DOT 24-hour rule: cancel within 24 hours of booking, with departure at least 7 days out, and a full refund may be available with no penalty. This can void even an otherwise non-refundable xs fare if you act quickly.
After the window closes, normal fare rules and charges resume. Tickets booked through a third-party agency may fall under that agency's own 24-hour handling rather than Avianca's, so confirm promptly. If anything is unclear, calling to log the cancellation inside the window is the safest way to protect a full refund.
Refund timelines and credits
Refundable Avianca tickets, and those voided under the 24-hour rule, are typically credited to a card within about 7 to 20 business days; cash refunds may take up to 8 weeks. Non-refundable branded fares usually convert to a travel credit or residual value rather than cash back.
LifeMiles award miles and any prepaid taxes may be redeposited on their own timeline. If Avianca cancels a flight or significantly changes your schedule, you may qualify for a full refund even on a restrictive fare, with Star Alliance rebooking often available. These figures are indicative and depend on payment method, fare rules and issuing office.
When calling beats booking online
Avianca's website handles simple changes, but it often can't process the harder cases. Tickets issued by an online travel agency, partially-flown itineraries, or trips mixing Avianca with Star Alliance partners frequently defeat the self-service tools. A live agent can read your exact fare rules and quote the fare difference before you pay.
Calling is especially helpful after an involuntary schedule change at Bogotá, where a free rebooking or refund may be available that the site doesn't display. As an independent agency, we can review the options and help coordinate the request, while Avianca always sets the final fees and fare conditions.
Avianca change & cancellation fees in detail (2026)
| Fare class | Change fee | Cancellation fee |
|---|---|---|
| Economy | $120 | $200 |
| Premium Economy | $90 | $150 |
| Business | $50 | $100 |
| First / Suites | $0 | $100 |
Indicative fees per passenger per direction. Fare difference may apply. Refundable fare types have different rules — call to verify your specific ticket.
Common reasons US travellers call about Avianca
- Change an Avianca flight to Colombia or Latin America routed via Bogotá
- Cancel an xs or basic branded fare and learn what LifeMiles value may remain
- Rebook after an Avianca schedule change or a cancelled connection at BOG
- Get a live fare-difference quote before committing to a new travel date
- Resolve an OTA-booked or partially-flown Avianca itinerary the website won't process
Avianca FAQ
As an indicative 2026 figure, Avianca economy changes typically run around $120, plus any fare difference. The exact amount depends on your branded fare — xs is most restrictive, while classic and flex offer more room.
A full refund is most likely on a refundable fare, within the 24-hour DOT window, or when Avianca cancels or significantly changes your flight. Restrictive xs and basic fares usually yield a credit instead. Outcomes are indicative.
Credit card refunds typically post within about 7 to 20 business days, while cash refunds may take up to 8 weeks. Timing depends on your payment method and the office that issued the ticket.
You can usually choose a free rebooking on the next available Avianca or Star Alliance option, or a full refund, even on a non-refundable fare. Specific remedies depend on the route and circumstances.
No. Avianca's premium product is Business class, with Premium Economy on some routes. There is no separate First cabin, so Business is the top tier available across Avianca's fleet.