'Canceled 5 days later, still charged 770,000 won': Consumer alert issued ahead of Chuseok travel season

With airline ticket purchases expected to surge ahead of the Chuseok holiday, authorities have issued a consumer alert warning of excessive cancellation and change fees, flight delays and cancellations, and checked baggage damage.

The Korea Consumer Agency and the Korea Fair Trade Commission said Monday they had identified a growing risk of consumer harm related to air travel services and urged passengers to exercise extra caution when purchasing tickets and checking baggage.

According to the Korea Consumer Agency, a total of 7,438 aviation service complaints were filed between 2023 and 2025, rising at an average annual rate of 37 percent — more than double the 14.1 percent average annual growth in overseas travelers over the same period.

Disputes over ticket cancellations were the most common type, accounting for 4,341 cases, or 58.4 percent of the total. Flight cancellations and delays made up 2,020 cases (27.2 percent), while complaints involving unfair practices numbered 394 (5.3 percent).

Disputes were particularly common when tickets were purchased through travel agencies or global online travel agencies, where sellers often impose their own cancellation and change fees on top of those charged by the airline.

In one case, a consumer who bought seven round-trip tickets between Incheon and Da Nang through a travel agency canceled the booking five days later, only to find the agency's separate cancellation fee stacked on top of the airline's own charge — bringing the total to 770,000 won ($572).

Complaints stemming from flight cancellations and delays have also been rising consistently. However, passengers may find it difficult to obtain compensation when the cause falls outside the airline's control — such as bad weather, airport conditions or routine aircraft inspections — making it important to review the relevant terms before booking.

Checked baggage damage is another area requiring attention. Of the aviation service complaints filed last year, 131 involved baggage, and 103 of those were damage claims. Bags and suitcases accounted for 98 of the damaged items, with golf clubs making up another 12 cases.

The Korea Consumer Agency advised consumers to compare cancellation and change conditions and fees across different sellers before paying for a ticket, and to enter passengers' names in English and passport details accurately at the time of booking.

Items prone to impact damage, such as golf clubs, should be checked in hard-shell cases, and passengers are advised to inspect their baggage for damage or loss immediately upon arrival. If a problem is found, report it to the airline's desk at the airport right away and obtain a written confirmation and any other documentation needed to support a claim.

Consumers who experience problems with air travel services can seek advice or file a complaint through the Consumer24 portal or the 1372 Consumer Counseling Center.