U.S. Airlines Eliminating Change Fees: What You Need to Know

Fees and flying—they’re practically synonymous. The relationship began when checked baggage fees became the norm for many air carriers. Then, the introduction of basic economy fares meant you had to spend extra to reserve a seat and potentially bring a carry-on along. Many travelers have likely come across one of these fees at some point. 

At long last, there’s good news regarding fees: Some of the major U.S. airlines have recently announced that they are getting rid of change fees. 

Thanks to this recent policy change, making a last-minute flight change isn’t as expensive as before. Before the change fee eliminations, you could expect to pay a hefty change fee—up to $200—plus the price difference between your original ticket and the new ticket. 

While you’re now less likely to pay this annoying fee, policies vary by airline. Here are the newest rebooking policies from the major U.S. airlines to avoid change fees and same-day standby charges. 

United Airlines

United Airlines was the first legacy carrier to eliminate change fees permanently. This fee removal is effective immediately for most domestic fares. You won’t encounter a change fee for Standard Economy (Economy and Economy Plus) and Premium cabin fares (United First, United Business, and United Premium Plus). 

The fee waiver applies to these domestic destinations:

• Continental United States
• Alaska
• Hawaii
• Puerto Rico
• U.S. Virgin Islands

However, all Basic Economy tickets are still subject to change fees. Two exceptions are any Basic Economy fare or international travel you book by December 31, 2020. Change fees do not apply to these bookings due to previous changes made in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

A couple downsides of United’s change fee waiver are that you won’t receive a partial refund if your new ticket is cheaper than your original itinerary and you may pay a redeposit fee on award tickets for applicable changes you make within 30 days of departure.

Free Same-Day Standby

United is also retiring the same-day standby fee as of January 1, 2021. This freebie is for all ticket classes as long as your origin and destination airports remain the same, and your new itinerary remains within 24 hours of your original flight times.

You will need to add yourself to the standby list at least 30 minutes before departure for domestic flights and one hour for international departures. MileagePlus Premier members can select their new seat beforehand.

American Airlines

American Airlines is immediately waiving the change fees on economy (Main cabin and Premium Economy) and premium cabin seats (Business and First). Like United Airlines, basic economy fares are still subject to change fees.

You won’t pay change fees for flights between these destinations:

• Flights within the 50 U.S. states
• Canada
• Mexico
• Caribbean
• Puerto Rico
• U.S. Virgin Islands

Basic Economy fares and any international travel you purchase by December 31, 2020, are exempt from change fees. If your new ticket costs less than your first booking, you will receive a flight voucher.  

Except for long-haul international travel, you have plenty of destinations that are free from change fees with American Airlines. 

Free Same-Day Standby

In addition, you can fly standby for free starting October 1, 2020. Free standby is for all domestic and international flights when your departure and destination remain the same.

Basic Economy Changes

American Airlines is also modifying its basic economy. Beginning October 1, 2020, you can purchase these perks:

• Upgrades
• Priority boarding
• Elite seat privileges (includes access to Main Cabin Preferred and Main Cabin Extra)
• Same-day confirmed flight changes

While budget travelers are likely to shy away from these amenities, it’s nice to know these options are available. 

If you’re an AAdvantage Elite member, you can enjoy the above perks for free starting October 1, 2020. However, beginning January 1, 2021, your Basic Economy booking no longer earns Elite Qualifying Dollars, Elite Qualifying Miles, or Elite Qualifying Segments.

Delta Air Lines

Delta Air Line’s new change fee policy is similar to United Airlines. Change fees do not apply to Main Cabin, Delta Comfort+, Delta Premium Select, Delta One, or Delta First Class fares. Basic Economy tickets are subject to change fees. 

Domestic main cabin and premium fares won’t see change fees in these destinations:

• All 50 U.S. states
• Puerto Rico
• U.S. Virgin Islands

Delta is also making the following permanent changes for travel within the U.S. (including Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands):  

• Eliminating the $150 redeposit fee to cancel an award ticket and the $150 reissue fee to change an award ticket for all Delta SkyMiles Members. This covers travel on all tickets, excluding Basic Economy fares. 
• Allowing changes and cancelations on award tickets before departure for all SkyMiles Members, excluding Basic Economy fares. No longer will changes and cancelations made within 72 hours of departure result in the loss of miles on domestic award tickets. 

If your new flight is cheaper, Delta will issue a travel credit if you change your itinerary in 2020. We’re still waiting to see if Delta will continue offering partial travel credits for non-refundable changes in 2021. Same-day standby charges currently still apply. 

Like the other U.S. airlines, any Basic Economy fare or international travel you book by December 31, 2020, is exempt from change fees. Delta has also reiterated that travel credits are valid through December 2022 for flight bookings you booked before April 17, 2020. 

Alaska Airlines

Discount carrier Alaska Airlines is ditching its change fee as well. Their fee waiver applies to all non-Saver travel to any destination. Saver fares continue to pay the $125 change fee. 

However, Saver fares booked through December 31, 2020, fall under Alaska’s flexible travel policy, temporarily avoiding change fees. 

Putting It All Together

Seeing the nation’s largest airlines all waive their change fees in unison isn’t something you see every day. For a long time, Southwest Airlines was the only domestic airline not to charge change fees. 

While there are differences between each airline, here’s a summary of what the no change fee policy looks like:

• Change fees still apply to Basic Economy or Saver Fares
• Standard main cabin and premium cabin flights do not pay change fees 
• Award tickets can be exempt from change fees
• Most international travel is still subject to change fees
• Same-day standby may also be free

Also, any basic economy or international flight you book before December 31, 2020, won’t pay a change fee. While the reprieve is temporary, you might book a cheap flight to travel in 2020 and enjoy the flexibility of not having a change fee if you need to reschedule. Plus, some miles credit cards, like the Platinum Card from American Express, come with the perk of paying for incidental costs, usually as an airline fee credit.

Removing the change fee can give you more peace of mind to book flights that may require a last-minute rebooking. We’re all learning the value of flexibility, and avoiding this fee makes it easier to plan your travel schedule without busting your travel budget.

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