Lufthansa’s Cancellation Policy 

When it comes to planning international travel, flexibility can make all the difference. As someone who’s flown with Lufthansa multiple times over the past few years, I’ve had to cancel or change flights on several occasions, which gave me firsthand experience with their cancellation policy. Overall, Lufthansa offers a reasonable balance of structure and flexibility—but understanding the fine print is essential.

First, one of the most traveler-friendly features Lufthansa offers is the 24-hour free cancellation window. This applies to all ticket types as long as the booking was made at least seven days before departure. I’ve used this option myself, especially when booking early or locking in a fare while finalizing other travel plans. It’s straightforward—just cancel within 24 hours online or through customer service, and your payment is refunded in full, no questions asked.

Beyond that window, Lufthansa’s policy becomes more fare-dependent. Refundable tickets allow for cancellations at any time before departure, and while there may still be administrative fees depending on the route or booking channel, you can usually get most of your money back. On the other hand, non-refundable fares, especially Economy Light tickets, are much stricter. These typically don't offer refunds after the 24-hour grace period, unless you qualify under special circumstances—such as a death in the family or a major medical emergency. In those cases, documentation is required, and approval isn’t guaranteed.

Lufthansa also provides an option to cancel your flight for a travel voucher, particularly useful during the COVID-19 pandemic and other global disruptions. I once had to cancel a Europe trip and accepted a voucher, which was easy to redeem within the 12-month period. The process is simple via their “My Bookings” section on the website, and the voucher arrived by email within a few days.

If your flight is canceled by Lufthansa, the policy is straightforward—you’re entitled to either a full refund or a free rebooking. I’ve experienced this due to weather disruptions, and the airline notified me by SMS and email with clear rebooking links and refund forms. The refund itself took about 10 business days to show up on my credit card.

One downside is that if you booked through a third-party site, Lufthansa will likely direct you back to that platform for changes or cancellations. This can be frustrating, especially when dealing with less responsive travel agencies.

For Miles & More bookings, Lufthansa allows cancellations and mileage refunds, though a small fee may apply unless you have elite status. I’ve canceled an award ticket before and had the miles returned in full minus a processing fee—reasonable in my opinion.

In conclusion, Lufthansa’s cancellation policy is competitive and offers enough flexibility for most travelers, especially those who read the fare conditions carefully. While Economy Light fares offer little wiggle room, higher fare classes and the 24-hour window give peace of mind. If you value flexibility, consider paying slightly more for a Flex or refundable ticket. In my experience, Lufthansa has handled cancellations professionally and fairly, making them a reliable choice for flexible international travel.