Learn About Airline Flight Change Options

Understanding Airline Change Policies and Your Rights

When you book a flight, circumstances can change. You might get sick, face a family emergency, or simply need to adjust your travel dates. Airlines have different policies about what you can do if you need to change your flight. This guide explains how airline change policies work and what options may be available to you.

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The first thing to understand is that airline policies vary significantly between carriers. What one airline offers might differ from another. Major U.S. carriers like American Airlines, Delta, United, and Southwest all have their own rules about changes. These rules changed substantially after 2020, when the Department of Transportation began requiring airlines to offer more flexibility to passengers.

Airlines typically categorize flights into basic economy, main cabin, and premium cabin fares. Your ticket type affects what change options you have. A ticket purchased at a lower price point may have more restrictions than a higher-priced ticket. Some carriers charge fees to change flights, while others waive these fees for certain fare types or under specific circumstances.

The type of change you need also matters. Changing your flight to a different date or time is handled differently than changing your destination entirely. Changing your flight to an earlier departure is treated differently from changing to a later departure. Some airlines make these distinctions in their change policies.

Understanding these basics before you book can help you choose the right ticket for your needs. If you think you might need flexibility, looking at what each airline offers when you purchase your ticket is important.

Practical Takeaway: Review the specific airline's change policy before purchasing your ticket. Look at your ticket confirmation email to see what change options are included with your fare type.

How to Request a Flight Change Through the Airline

Once you know you need to change your flight, the process of actually requesting the change involves contacting your airline. There are typically several ways to do this, and understanding each method can help you find the one that works best for your situation.

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Most major airlines allow you to make changes online through their website or mobile app. You can log into your account using your confirmation number and last name, then look for the option to change or modify your booking. The online system will show you available flights on different dates and any fees that apply. You can usually see the price difference between your original flight and the new flight you want to book. If the new flight costs more, you may need to pay the difference. If it costs less, some airlines will credit the difference to your account or refund it, though this depends on your ticket type and the airline's policy.

You can also call the airline's customer service line to request a change. When you call, have your confirmation number and ticket number ready. Wait times can be long, especially during busy travel periods. Speaking with a representative can be helpful if your situation is complicated or if the online system doesn't show the options you need.

Some airlines also allow you to make changes at the airport ticket counter on the day of travel. This is most practical if you're already at the airport and need to change to a later flight the same day. Airport agents may have access to more flight options than what appears online, especially if you're willing to be flexible with timing.

A newer option some airlines offer is text-based messaging through their customer service lines. You text your confirmation number and request, and a representative responds with options. This can be faster than calling but slower than online changes.

Practical Takeaway: Start with your airline's website or app for the quickest change. Have your confirmation number and ticket number available before you start the process, regardless of which method you choose.

Fees, Charges, and What You Might Pay to Change

One of the most important things to understand about changing flights is what it might cost you. Airlines can charge fees to change your booking, and you may also need to pay if your new flight costs more than your original flight.

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Before 2020, many airlines charged flat change fees of $75 to $200 per passenger, regardless of how much the new flight cost. In 2022, the Department of Transportation updated its rules. Now, major airlines must waive change fees for domestic flights booked in certain fare classes. However, this doesn't mean all changes are without fees. Budget airlines and certain fare types may still have change fees. It's important to check your specific airline's policy and your ticket type.

The fare difference is separate from change fees. If you're changing to a flight that costs more, you pay the difference. For example, if your original flight cost $300 and the new flight you want costs $400, you'd pay the $100 difference. The timing of this payment varies—some airlines charge immediately, while others bill you later.

If you're changing to a flight that costs less, what happens to the savings depends on your ticket type. Some tickets credit the difference to your airline account for future use. Others may allow a refund to your original payment method, though this is less common. Refund policies vary significantly between airlines.

Some situations may reduce or eliminate change fees. These can include changes due to airline schedule changes, changes made within a certain window before departure (for certain fares), or changes during declared emergencies or natural disasters. Each airline has specific rules about when these exceptions apply.

Ancillary services like seat selections, baggage, or lounge access may transfer to your new flight or may need to be re-purchased. Check with your airline about what carries over when you change your booking.

Practical Takeaway: Before requesting a change, log in online to see the exact cost. This shows the new flight's price and any applicable fees. Write down the total before you confirm the change so you know exactly what you're paying.

Change Rules for Different Ticket Types and Fare Classes

Airlines use a tier system for ticket pricing, and your change options depend largely on which tier you purchased. Understanding these tiers helps you know what flexibility you have before you even need to make a change.

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Basic economy or economy light fares are the cheapest options. These tickets typically come with the most restrictions on changes. Some airlines may not allow changes on these fares at all, requiring a new ticket purchase instead. Others allow changes but charge a full change fee plus the fare difference. A few airlines now waive change fees on basic economy for domestic flights, but rules continue to evolving.

Main cabin or standard economy fares are in the middle tier. These typically come with more flexibility than basic economy. Many airlines now waive change fees on main cabin economy for domestic flights. You may still need to pay if your new flight costs more, but the change fee itself is often waived. These tickets also may come with benefits like free seat selection or one free carry-on bag.

Premium cabin fares, including business and first class, almost always include free changes. These high-priced tickets may even allow you to change to a different flight with no additional charge, even if the new flight costs more. This flexibility is part of what you're paying for with premium tickets.

Special ticket types also affect your change options. Reduced-fare tickets, student fares, or tickets purchased through group bookings may have different rules. Tickets purchased during sales or with special promotional codes sometimes have restrictions that regular-priced tickets don't have.

International flights have different change rules than domestic flights. The country you're flying to or from, airline alliances, and international regulations all affect your change options. International tickets are generally more expensive and often come with more flexible change policies than the cheapest domestic fares.

Your ticket confirmation email usually states what changes are allowed with your fare type. Look for language about "changes permitted" or "changes with restrictions." This document is your reference for what your ticket allows.

Practical Takeaway: When booking, scroll down on the fare comparison screen to see what changes are included with each ticket tier. If you think you might need flexibility, a ticket that includes free changes may save you money compared to buying a cheap ticket and then having to pay to change it later.

What to Do If Your Airline Cancels or Changes Your Flight

There's a significant difference between you requesting a change and the airline changing your flight. When the airline changes or cancels your flight due to weather, mechanical issues, crew problems, or other operational reasons, different rules apply than when you want to change for personal reasons.

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If your airline cancels your flight or changes it significantly, you have certain rights. The Department of Transportation requires airlines to offer you