Airline Ticket Change Fees

Airline Change Fees: Sanity to the Rescue

Tony Hanseder

Updated: August 12, 2024

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Key Topics:

• Alaska Airlines
• American Airlines
• United Airlines
• Delta Air Lines
• Southwest Airlines
• JetBlue Airways
• Hawaiian Airlines
• Frontier Airlines
• Spirit Airlines
• FAQ: Airline Change Fees

As someone who travels frequently, I know how plans can change at a moment's notice. Whether it's an unexpected work commitment or a family emergency, I've had my fair share of situations where I needed to change my flight. Navigating the myriad of airline change policies and fees—and how they've evolved—hasn't been easy. Thankfully, its gotten a whole lot easier (and more fair).

In recent years, many US airlines have taken steps to eliminate or reduce change fees, which has been a welcome relief for all flyers. However, the details can still vary, and it's important to know what to expect based on the airline and fare type. So I've put together a list of the most-popular US carriers and researched their policies, and listed them all here...

Alaska Airlines

Whenever I fly with Alaska Airlines, I appreciate their flexible change policies. They’ve removed change fees for most flights, both domestic and international, which makes it easier to adjust my plans without worrying about extra costs. However, I’ve learned that if the new flight is more expensive, I still have to pay the difference. On the bright side, if the new ticket is cheaper, Alaska credits me for future travel—a nice perk!

American Airlines

I’ve found that American Airlines is also traveler-friendly when it comes to changes. They’ve done away with change fees on most domestic and short-haul international flights, which has saved me quite a bit over the years. Even for long-haul international flights originating in the U.S., the change fees are gone. But a word of caution—Basic Economy tickets still don’t allow changes unless you upgrade, something I’ve had to do more than once.

United Airlines

Flying with United Airlines has become more convenient since they eliminated change fees for standard Economy and premium cabin tickets within the U.S. and for flights between the U.S. and Mexico or the Caribbean. This policy has made it easier for me to stay flexible. However, I’ve had to be careful with Basic Economy tickets, as these don’t allow changes unless I’m willing to upgrade.

Delta Air Lines

Delta Air Lines has made traveling easier by removing change fees for most domestic and international flights originating in North America. This applies to both Main Cabin and premium cabin tickets, which has helped many a traveler when plans go south. However, just like with United, Basic Economy tickets are a different story—they generally can’t be changed unless you upgrade (which is something I always consider before booking).

Southwest Airlines

I’ve always appreciated Southwest Airlines for their no change fee policy. It’s one of the reasons many flyers choose them when they know their schedule might be unpredictable. Changing a flight with Southwest is hassle-free, and they don’t charge a fee, which gives peace of mind. Just be ready to pay the fare difference if the new flight costs more.

JetBlue Airways

JetBlue Airways has also joined the no change fee club, at least for most fare types. However, I’ve learned the hard way that Blue Basic fares are an exception—you can’t change them unless you upgrade. But for other tickets, it’s a great option, especially if you need flexibility. As always, fare differences apply, so keep that in mind when making changes.

Hawaiian Airlines

Traveling with Hawaiian Airlines has become even more enjoyable since they eliminated change fees for most fare types. So when flying within Hawaii or internationally, you don’t have to worry about extra charges for changing a flight. However, Main Cabin Basic tickets are non-changeable unless you upgrade, which is something to be aware of if you're planning a trip to the islands.

Frontier Airlines

With Frontier Airlines, I’ve found that their change fees depend on when you make the change. If you’re organized and make changes 60 or more days before departure, there’s no fee—something I always aim for. But as the departure date gets closer, the fees increase, which can be a bit frustrating. Frontier’s "Works" bundle is worth considering if you think you might need to change or cancel your flight.

Spirit Airlines

I’ve had only a couple of experiences with Spirit Airlines, but like Frontier, they charge change fees based on how far in advance you make the change. No fee is charged for changes made 60 days or more before departure, which is a plus. However, fees increase as the departure date approaches. Spirit’s "Flight Flex" option, which allows a free change, has come in handy for many peeps I've talked to.

For the most accurate and up-to-date information, I always recommend checking the specific airline's website before making any changes to your travel plans. It can save you both time and money. Hope this helps! And if you need info on what happens when you have to cancel a flight, check out this article we put together.