Air Arabia sells three fare bundles: Basic, Value and Ultimate, differing on bags, seat choice, changes and refunds.
Here’s exactly what each includes, what changes and cancellations cost, and how to claim a refund.
What Each Bundle Includes
Every Air Arabia bundle gives you the same seat and cabin. What changes is baggage, seat selection, meals and how easily you can change or cancel.
Cabin baggage is identical too: a 7 kg cabin bag plus a 3 kg personal item. The real gap is checked baggage, which Basic doesn’t include on UAE routes. Air Arabia operates from Sharjah and other hubs, and bundle inclusions vary by route.
| Feature | Basic | Value | Ultimate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cabin baggage | 7 kg + 3 kg personal item | Same | Same |
| Checked baggage | None (paid add-on) | 20 to 30 kg | 30 to 40 kg |
| Seat selection | Paid | 1 free standard seat (row 8 onward) | Free, any seat (row 2 onward) |
| Meal | Paid | Sandwich + water | Hot meal included |
| Changes | 1 change, fee applies | 1 change, no fee | 2 changes, no fee |
| Refundable | No (credit only) | Yes, until 24 hrs before | Yes, until 8 hrs before |
| Airewards points | Yes (5% of fare) | Yes (5% of fare) | Yes (5% of fare) |
Figures above are for UAE routes. Checked-bag allowances vary by destination, so confirm yours in the full Air Arabia baggage allowance guide.
What It Costs to Change or Cancel
Two things drive the cost: your fare bundle and the region your route falls under. Air Arabia lists fees by region in AED, USD, EUR or MAD.
Changing a flight:
- Basic: one change allowed, with a modification fee from AED 200 (USD 55 / EUR 40 / MAD 200) plus any fare difference.
- Value: one change with no modification fee. You pay only the fare difference.
- Ultimate: up to two changes, again with no fee beyond the fare difference.
Change cut-offs vary by route and fare: most Basic and Value fares use a 24-hour cut-off, Morocco international Basic uses 72 hours, Morocco domestic Value uses 12 hours, and Ultimate is 8 hours. Miss the window and changes are blocked.
On Value and Ultimate the waived fee covers the change itself, not the price gap. You still pay any increase if the new flight costs more, and a lower fare is not refunded.
Some tickets cannot be changed at all: promotional, free and gifted fares are excluded. Group bookings follow separate rules, so contact your booking agency or Air Arabia’s groups team.
Cancelling for a refund costs more, and Basic effectively cannot be refunded to cash at all:
| Route Region | Basic | Value (credit / cash) | Ultimate (credit / cash) |
|---|---|---|---|
| UAE (AED) | Credit only* | 100 / 300 | Free / 200 |
| Egypt (USD) | Credit only* | 25 / 80 | Free / 55 |
| Morocco, international (EUR) | Credit only* | 25 / 60 | Free / 40 |
| Morocco, domestic (MAD) | Credit only* | 100 / 300 | Free / 200 |
*Basic is non-refundable to cash; its value (after a penalty) is held as travel credit. “Credit” means a refund as Air Arabia travel credit; “cash” means a refund to your original payment method. Cancel before each fare’s cut-off; most Basic and Value fares use 24 hours, Morocco domestic Value uses 12 hours, Morocco international Basic credit refunds use 72 hours, and Ultimate uses 8 hours.
Refundable vs Non-Refundable, Explained
The single biggest difference between the bundles is whether you can get your money back.
Basic is non-refundable. Cancel it and Air Arabia keeps the fare, returning the balance only as travel credit after a penalty, never as cash to your card.
Value and Ultimate are refundable within their cut-off windows. You choose how to receive the money:
- Air Arabia travel credit: the cheaper option (free on Ultimate), for a future flight.
- Original payment method: cash back to your card, for a higher fee.
Travel credit is issued as soon as your cancellation is confirmed. A refund to your card takes longer to appear and depends on your bank, so allow time before chasing it.
Two situations override the bundle rules entirely:
- If Air Arabia cancels your flight: you are entitled to a full refund to your original payment method, a free rebooking, or a credit voucher, on every fare including Basic. The airline cannot force a voucher on you when a cash refund is your right.
- If you miss your flight (no-show): the fare is forfeited on all bundles. Only government taxes and charges can be reclaimed, never the fare itself.
How to Cancel or Change Online
You can handle changes and cancellations through Manage Booking on Air Arabia’s website or app, by contacting its call center, or through sales offices and partner travel agents.
- Open Manage Booking and enter your booking reference and last name.
- Choose Modify Flight or Cancel Flight. Eligible options and any fees appear on screen.
- For a cancellation, pick your refund method: travel credit or your original payment method, where your fare allows.
- Confirm. You will get an email showing the refundable amount.
Booked through a travel agent or online platform? Start with that agent or platform; if the booking can be retrieved, Air Arabia’s online and customer-support options may also be available.
To spend travel credit later, redeem it through an Air Arabia call center or authorized agent using your original reservation number.
Adding Bags, Seats or Meals After Booking
You do not have to buy a higher bundle just to get one extra. Through Manage Booking you can add checked baggage, a seat or a meal to any fare, including Basic, after you book.
Pre-booking online is far cheaper than paying at the airport. Air Arabia says advance baggage can cost up to 90% less than airport rates.
- Baggage: add 20, 30 or 40 kg any time before departure.
- Seats: reserve a specific seat in advance for a fee.
- Meals: add or change up to 12 hours before departure (48 hours for Morocco), paying any price difference.
If you only need a checked bag, adding it to a Basic fare is often cheaper than moving up to Value. There is no one-click bundle swap, so compare the add-on cost against the next fare up.
Choosing the Right Bundle for Your Trip
Match the bundle to your trip: Basic for hand-baggage-only hops, Value for a checked bag plus one free change, Ultimate for full flexibility and the best seats.
The same three bundles apply on every route, from a short Gulf hop to longer flights to Delhi or Cairo.
Once you have decided, compare live Air Arabia fares from Sharjah, Abu Dhabi and other hubs on Wego, then check routes, fleet and booking tips in the complete Air Arabia airline guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Air Arabia’s Basic fare refundable?
No. If you cancel a Basic fare, Air Arabia keeps the fare and returns the balance only as travel credit after a penalty. There is no cash refund to your card.
Can I change my Air Arabia flight for free?
Value and Ultimate charge no change fee; you pay only the fare difference. Basic charges a modification fee from AED 200. All bundles have change cut-offs before departure.
How long is Air Arabia travel credit valid?
One year from your original payment date, and only the same passenger can use it. Make sure your new flight departs within that year.
How do I get a cash refund from Air Arabia?
Choose a Value or Ultimate fare, cancel before its cut-off through Manage Booking, and select refund to your original payment method. A cancellation fee applies. Basic fares cannot be refunded to cash.
Do all Air Arabia fares earn Airewards points?
Yes. You earn 5% of the fare paid as points, plus 10% on extras like seats and meals. Because Ultimate costs more, it earns more points in absolute terms.
Do infants and children pay the same fares?
Infants under 2 travel on an adult’s lap at a reduced rate, with an extra 3 kg of hand baggage. A separate seat can be requested for a fee. Children aged 2 and over need their own seat at the applicable fare, and the three bundles apply to that seat.
Can I use Airewards points to book any fare?
Yes. Every seat is open for points redemption, and you can add extras like bags and seats to a points booking afterwards. You earn points on all fares: 5% of the fare paid, plus 10% on extras.
Sources
- Air Arabia – Fare Types
- Air Arabia – Modification and Cancellation Charges
- Air Arabia – Checked Baggage FAQ
- Air Arabia – Airewards Earning Points
- Air Arabia – Conditions of Carriage
- Air Arabia – Missed Flights Policy
- Air Arabia – Infant and Child Travel
- Air Arabia – Additional Services
Disclaimer: Wego strives to ensure all information presented in this article is accurate and up to date at the time of publication. Travel policies, prices, visa requirements, and conditions can change rapidly. We strongly recommend verifying critical details with official sources before making travel decisions. Wego does not accept liability for any inaccuracies, oversights, or changes that may occur after publication.
