Can you change flights for a fee?

Change fees Whether or not you have to pay a fee to change your flight depends on where you're flying and the type of ticket. International flights originating in the U.S. If you're flying on a Basic Economy ticket, you can't change your flight unless you upgrade to Economy or a premium cabin first.



Yes, you can generally change flights for a fee, though the landscape of "change fees" has shifted significantly by 2026. Major carriers now offer a "tiered" approach where Standard Economy, Business, and First Class tickets often have no change fees (though you must still pay the fare difference). However, Basic Economy tickets remain the most restrictive, frequently being non-changeable and non-refundable unless a specific "flexible" add-on was purchased at the time of booking. In regions like India, as of March 26, 2026, the DGCA has implemented a 48-hour "look-in" period, allowing passengers to modify or cancel tickets without any penalty if booked at least 7 days in advance. Beyond these specific windows, the "fare difference" is often the most significant cost of changing a flight. If you anticipate needing flexibility, it is always safer to book a "Main Cabin" fare rather than the lowest tier, as the cost of a last-minute change on a restricted ticket can sometimes exceed the price of a brand-new flight.

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Every major U.S. airline (except Southwest Airlines) typically charges penalty fees to change or cancel an economy fare flight. The fees, however, can vary from as low as $75 on a domestic flight to more than $400 on an international flight.

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Can you reschedule a flight? Yes, you can reschedule or cancel a flight. However, you may need to pay a change or cancellation fee depending on the airline you booked with and the fare class of your ticket. Luckily during Covid-19, many airlines have reduced change fees or waived them altogether.

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In some cases, you can make changes to your itinerary with no fee. Every major U.S. airline (except Southwest Airlines) typically charges penalty fees to change or cancel an economy fare flight. The fees, however, can vary from as low as $75 on a domestic flight to more than $400 on an international flight.

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If you're flying on a Basic Economy ticket, you can't change your flight unless you upgrade to Economy or a premium cabin first. International flights that don't originate in the U.S. can be changed but change fees still apply.

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A simple way to change or cancel a flight without paying a fee is to do so within 24 hours of booking. After this window, the next option is to wait to see if the airline makes a change to the flight — the departure time, the aircraft, etc. — which will automatically grant you a refund if you change or cancel.

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They also admit that change fees aren't just a significant revenue source for the major airlines; in fact, these companies have built their business models around them and similar fees, such as luggage fees and other ancillary charges. In short, the fees are a source of major profit. And the airline industry is hooked.

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Canceling a nonrefundable fare will result in an eCredit for the full amount paid (minus any cancellation fees, depending on fare type and route). However, if you cancel a refundable ticket, you'll get the amount paid refunded back to your original form of payment.

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Depending on the airline, travelers may be charged a rebooking fee to get on another flight. Some airlines may also charge the difference in airfare — meaning a missed flight can be a costly inconvenience.

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You can't change your reservation online once you've checked in. Contact Reservations for assistance. If you're unable to make your flights, contact Reservations prior to your flight's departure to retain the value of your ticket. Charges or penalties may apply for changes, depending on the fare paid for the ticket.

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Check to see if there's a change fee. There's always an option to reschedule your flight instead of canceling it entirely, so check out your airline's policies ahead of time. For example, Southwest doesn't charge a change fee, so you could postpone the trip to a later date.

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What does the airline mean when they say there is “no cancellation fee”? This means that the airline doesn't charge you fees to cancel. Instead, the airline gives you the full value of your ticket(s) as an airline credit. You can use this credit to book new flights with the same airline (restrictions may apply).

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Although every airline has a different policy, many airlines will allow you to cancel flight tickets within 24 hours and give you a refund, even if you've bought a non-refundable airline ticket. If you've bought an airline ticket and want to cancel it on the same day, you can do so easily via 'Manage my booking'.

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Can I make changes to my flight after I've already checked in? Yes, you can make changes to your flight up until 10 minutes before scheduled departure time, even if you've already checked in. If you're changing to a flight within 24 hours, be sure to check in for your new flight after you make the change.

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Unless you pay for a seat, you'll be assigned one either at check-in or at boarding time. You are, however, guaranteed a seat as much as with any other ticket.

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Basic economy fares are cheaper than main cabin. However, you lose out on flexibility for flight changes and/or cancellations, seat selection options and the ability to earn miles at a high rate.

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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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If you purposely miss a flight then your ticket will be reallocated to someone on hold. You will lose the value of your ticket. The only reason I can think of that someone might miss a flight on purpose is that it's sometimes it's cheaper to book a muli-leg flight and travel one way or leg.

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While skiplagging isn't illegal, American Airlines filed a civil lawsuit earlier this month against Skiplagged.com, accusing the company of unauthorized and deceptive ticketing practices and tricking customers into believing they've gained access to a secret loophole.

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