Cancellation service N°1 in Australia
Contract number:
To the attention of:
Cancellation Department – Air India
Martins Tower, unit 1503 level 15st/31 Market St
2000 Sydney
Subject: Contract Cancellation – Certified Email Notification
Dear Sir or Madam,
I hereby notify you of my decision to terminate contract number relating to the Air India service. This notification constitutes a firm, clear and unequivocal intention to cancel the contract, effective at the earliest possible date or in accordance with the applicable contractual notice period.
I kindly request that you take all necessary measures to:
– cease all billing from the effective date of cancellation;
– confirm in writing the proper receipt of this request;
– and, where applicable, send me the final statement or balance confirmation.
This cancellation is sent to you by certified email. The sending, timestamping and integrity of the content are established, making it equivalent proof meeting the requirements of electronic evidence. You therefore have all the necessary elements to process this cancellation properly, in accordance with the applicable principles regarding written notification and contractual freedom.
In accordance with the Consumer Rights Act 2015 and data protection regulations, I also request that you:
– delete all my personal data not necessary for your legal or accounting obligations;
– close any associated personal account;
– and confirm to me the effective deletion of data in accordance with applicable rights regarding privacy protection.
I retain a complete copy of this notification as well as proof of sending.
Yours sincerely,
14/01/2026
How to Cancel Air India: Step-by-Step Guide
What is Air India
Air India is India’s national carrier and a full-service international airline operating scheduled passenger services, frequent‑flyer benefits and ancillary products such as gift cards and a loyalty programme called Maharaja Club. The carrier issues a range of fare classes with different change and refund rules, and publishes terms for refunds, 24‑hour purchase protections and how refunds are processed to the original form of payment.
Official materials note a 24‑hour risk‑free window for direct bookings made at least seven days before departure, and outline typical refund timelines to the original payment method depending on how the ticket was issued. These rules vary by fare type, route and whether the booking was made through a third party.
How cancellations and refunds typically work for Air India
Problem: understanding which tickets are refundable, what fees apply and how long refunds take. Solution: read fare rules and keep clear proof of purchase and payment.
Fare classes: refundable fares generally allow a full or partial refund after deduction of cancellation charges. Non‑refundable fares typically refund only taxes and fees; the base fare may be forfeited. Flex or premium fares usually have reduced or zero cancellation penalties. Award or cash+points bookings follow separate redemption and penalty charts under Maharaja Club rules.
Timing and proration: cancellation charges depend on the itinerary (domestic vs international), booking class and how close to departure the cancellation is made. For partially flown itineraries, rules on prorated refunds and non‑refundable segments are fare‑specific.
Refund processing: Air India’s published guidance states that refund requests submitted to the card issuer are forwarded within seven business days, while refunds for cash or other non‑card payments may take longer (for example, up to 20 business days as noted for some markets). Exact posting times depend on banks, payment processors and ticketing source.
Customer experiences with cancellations
What users report
Users across review platforms describe a mixture of outcomes: some report straightforward refunds when bookings were cancelled by the airline or when refundable fares were purchased. Others report long delays, unclear communications and frustration when dealing with third parties. Trustpilot shows a concentration of complaints about slow responses and refund delays, especially for complex or agent‑issued bookings.
Independent complaint portals and travel forums include numerous reports where passengers waited months for refunds or where refunds were routed through intermediaries, causing additional delay. These reports often mention confusion over who holds responsibility when bookings were made via agents or third‑party platforms.
Recurring issues and practical takeaways
Practical takeaway: the two strongest predictors of a smoother outcome are: the fare type (refundable fares simplify refunds) and the ticketing source (direct ticketing usually reduces steps). Many delays stem from agent processing or from split payments (wallets plus card) that require reconciliation.
Real user tip (paraphrased): keep the booking reference, ticket number and a clear timeline of actions and responses; these are the items most often requested when refunds are tracked or escalated.
Documentation checklist
- Booking reference: keep the PNR/booking code.
- Ticket number: full e‑ticket digits for each passenger.
- Payment proof: card statement snapshot showing the purchase.
- Fare rules: note the fare class and whether it is advertised as refundable.
- Travel dates: date of booking, scheduled departure and any change dates.
- Proof of airline notices: copies of any official messages received from the carrier.
- Receipts for ancillary purchases: baggage, seat fees or add‑ons that may be eligible for partial refund.
Common pitfalls and mistakes to avoid
- 1. Assuming all fares are refundable - check the fare conditions before booking and at purchase confirmation.
- 2. Relying on third parties for timelines - agent‑issued tickets can add processing steps and fees.
- 3. Not preserving transaction evidence - missing ticket numbers and payment records makes disputes slower to resolve.
- 4. Waiting too long to act - certain remedies or rights may narrow over time depending on fare rules and card‑network dispute windows.
- 5. Overlooking taxes and surcharges - even non‑refundable fares commonly return government taxes and airport charges; treat total refund calculations accordingly.
Refund timelines and what to expect
What to expect: if a refund is approved, the airline states it will submit the request to the payment processor or card issuer within a set period (for example, seven business days for card refunds in some markets). The actual time to see the credit on a statement will vary. For non‑card payments, the airline’s guidance indicates longer processing windows (for example, up to 20 business days in some cases).
Invoice split situations: when bookings were paid using multiple methods (gift card/wallet plus card), refunds may be split across the original methods and subject to their separate rules. Maharaja Club award refunds follow loyalty programme timelines and may not restore expired points.
Disputes, chargebacks and escalation options
If a refund is significantly delayed or refused contrary to published terms, consumers often have these options: gather evidence (ticket, payment proof, fare rules), raise a formal dispute with the payment provider or card issuer and, if relevant, lodge a complaint with consumer authorities. Keep records of all steps and dates; that chronology is central to resolving disputes.
Regulatory context: under Australian consumer law a travel service cancelled by the provider may entitle the consumer to a refund or replacement service. Regulators expect businesses to treat consumers fairly and to meet consumer guarantee obligations. If internal complaint mechanisms are exhausted, regulators can advise on next steps.
Tables: fare type comparison
| Fare type | Cancellation flexibility | Refund eligibility | Typical refund timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Refundable | High - subject to fare rules | Base fare and taxes refundable minus cancellation fee | Varies; card refunds often submitted within seven business days for processing. • See fare rules. |
| Non‑refundable | Low | Usually taxes and government fees only | Varies; taxes may be refunded within standard processing windows. |
| Flex/Premium | High - lower or no penalty | Higher refund amount or rebooking options | Varies by market and payment method |
| Award / cash+points | Subject to loyalty rules | Refunds may restore cash and/or points per programme terms | Programme rules apply and may have separate timelines. |
Tables: booking source impact
| Booking source | Practical implications for cancellation and refund |
|---|---|
| Direct with Air India | Single‑party contract and published airline rules apply; 24‑hour risk‑free purchases are described for direct bookings made at least seven days before departure. Processing may be faster when ticketed directly. |
| Travel agent or third party | May add intermediary processing steps, separate fees and longer timelines; refunds often pass through the agent, which can delay receipt. Public complaint records show many delays in agent‑handled refunds. |
Address
- Address: Martins Tower, unit 1503 level 15st/31 Market St, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia
What to do after cancelling Air India
Immediately after cancellation: keep all documentation, note the date of cancellation and monitor your payment account for posted refunds. Record any reference numbers provided and keep receipts for ancillary costs you may later claim.
If a refund is delayed: prepare a concise file (booking reference, ticket number, payment proof, fare rules, timeline of events) and raise a formal dispute with your payment provider if the airline does not resolve the matter within its stated processing period. Use consumer agencies for guidance where legal obligations appear unmet.
Escalation: if remedies are unavailable or slow, regulators expect airlines to comply with consumer guarantees and published terms. That means you can pursue an escalation path through consumer law channels where appropriate. Keep your case focused on objective evidence and clear timelines to improve the chance of a timely outcome.