Just called orbitz:

OR1: How can I help you today?

ME: I want to get some information.

OR1: OK Go ahead with your query.

ME: I want to know what Orbitz's "courtesy cancellation policy is". More specifically I want to know how long it is valid.

OR1: Great Question. It is 24 hours.

ME: Really? I 've also heard that one can refund tickets by 10pm of the next day. Could you please verify.

OR1: Yes that's also correct.

ME: Hmm...I am confused. So is it 24 hours or 10pm by the next day.

OR1: Let me check with your airline: CO & UA. Yes it is 10pm of the next day.

ME: So can you please kindly tell me specifically until when exactly I may cancel a ticket that was booked at 12:15am this early morning (Jan. 7th).

OR1: You have until 10pm tomorrow (Jan. 8th) to cancel. 10PM Central time. After that, your ticket will become nonrefundable.

ME: OK. Thank you.

Still confused but narrowed the field between 24hours AND 10pm the next day. I would love to know something definitive.