American Airlines, Delta Airlines, and United Airlines Eliminate Change Fees

All three U.S. legacy carriers announced recently that they will eliminate change fees for some or all of their domestic routes. Here’s a breakdown for you of the announcements:

American Airlines

• Change fees for all domestic and short-haul international flights in Premium Cabins and most Main Cabin fares will be eliminated.

  • “Short-haul international” means Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands; changes to Basic Economy fares will still incur a change fee.

  • This policy applies to award tickets as well, except Web Specials.

• Starting October 1st, all customers will have the ability to fly standby on earlier flights to the same destination on the same day at no charge.

  • This applies to both domestic and international flights.

• Starting October 1st, when purchasing a Basic Economy fare, you’ll be able to add on upgrades, Preferred and Main Cabin Extra seats, priority boarding, and same-day flight changes.

  • Basic Economy passengers will still be limited to one personal item and one carry-on item (no checked luggage permitted).

• AAdvantage elite members will be able to apply their current travel benefits even on Basic Economy fares.

  • AAdvantage Elite members will be able to use upgrade privileges, elite seat privileges (access to Main Cabin Preferred and Main Cabin Extra seats).

  • Effective January 1, 2021, Basic Economy fares will no longer earn elite qualifying dollars, miles, or segments toward future status.

• If you have to change your flight, you will still have to pay any difference in fare price. If your new flight is less expensive than your existing booked flight, you’ll receive a voucher for the difference; I don’t have the details yet on how long the voucher would be valid for.

• Through the end of 2020, all tickets will not incur change fees, regardless of the class of travel booked; your origin and destination can be changed; fare differences will apply.

Delta Airlines

• Change fees are eliminated for travel within the domestic U.S., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands in all classes except Basic Economy.

  • This policy does not apply to award tickets.

• Delta’s waiver on change fees for all newly purchased flights has been extended through the end of the year; this includes international routes and Basic Economy fares.

  • You will still be responsible for any difference in fare; through the end of the year, Delta will credit you with a voucher if your new fare is less expensive than your original flight. They have not stated whether that policy will extend after December 31st.

• Travel credits for flights booked before April 17, 2020 will now be valid through December 2022.

United Airlines

• Change fees will be waived for travel within the U.S. (including Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands) on all fares except Basic Economy.

  • This policy applies to award tickets as well; United is also eliminating the redeposit fee for any ticket canceled more than 30 days before departure.

• All tickets, including Basic Economy and international routes issued by December 31, 2020, can be changed without fees.

  • You will be responsible for any difference in fare; if the new fare is lower in cost, you will not be refunded or credited the difference.

  • Your new flight must begin up to 12 months from the date the original ticket was issued.

• You’ll be able to join the stand-by list to an earlier flight on the same day, to the same destination, for free.

  • If you’re a MileagePlus Premier member, you may be able to confirm a seat on an earlier flight for no cost.