Can I change my ticket to earlier?

For those looking to move their flight time to earlier or later in the day, airlines offer two different options — standby and same-day confirmed change — which usually cost $100 or less. With a same-day confirmed change, you forfeit your current ticket and pay a fee to get a guaranteed seat on another flight.



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The Department of Transportation has a long-standing policy that requires airlines to provide free changes to consumers within 24 hours of purchasing, so long as a ticket is bought at least seven days before a flight.

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Most airlines charge a fee to change or cancel a flight once you've passed the 24-hour window. The fee can vary widely by airline. However, other airlines have more flexible policies. For example, Southwest doesn't charge a change fee; they only charge any difference in fare.

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To request a flight change, call or email the airline or travel agency. Make a note of your reservation number and travel dates. Explain to the customer support operator why you need to change your ticket and inquire about alternative flights that will better fit your needs.

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“Online travel agencies may also let you get a refund within 24 hours of booking, but not all do, so definitely read their policies before purchasing,” says Nastro. If you booked the tickets through a travel agent, the DOT advises to first contact your travel agent before calling the airline for a refund.

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You have up to 24 hours from the time you first buy your ticket for a refund if you booked at least 2 days prior to departure.

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The amount of your flight refund is always the cost of the ticket. The amount of your compensation depends majorly on the travel distance of your flight. In the case of a replacement flight, it also depends on the flight time. It is possible to receive both flight refund and compensation at the same time.

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You can get a full flight ticket refund only if you booked a refundable ticket. However, airline ticket refund rules vary from airline to airline. Thus, it is better to refer to the airline's website or contact it directly for possible airfare reimbursement.

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If you purchased a round-trip flight and need to change the first leg to a different day, your best bet will likely be to pay the change fee and book a new flight. If you only need to change the return portion of a round trip, however, it may be cheaper to book a new one-way flight than to pay the cancellation fee.

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If your ticket is fully refundable, you can usually cancel your flight online. Look for a “My Trips” or “Manage My Flight” section of the airline's website; the name will vary per airline. Otherwise, you can call the airline's customer service.

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Airlines are required by the U.S. Department of Transportation to refund your money if you cancel a flight within 24 hours of booking unless they offer a free 24-hour hold option when shopping for tickets.

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In other words, you're entitled to a full refund of your ticket if you cancel your flight within 24 hours, as long as your flight was supposed to depart in more than 1 day.

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