How can I get on an earlier flight without paying more?

You may wait for a seat on an earlier flight than your original ticket, if the Same-Day Confirmed option is not available.
  1. Same-Day Standby is a complimentary service at no cost to you.
  2. Until you have been assigned a seat on an earlier flight, your original flight will remain confirmed.




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If you ask nicely the check-in agent might give you a seat on the earlier flight for free. Being registered on the airline's loyalty programme, and your status on that programme, might also help. An airline canceled a flight that was booked 6 months earlier and wants twice the amount to fly on another flight.

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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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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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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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You can change your flight on united.com or the United app in four steps: Go to My Trips. Select “Change flight” Select “Edit” to update your flight.

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You decide to book the flight and leave the plane in Atlanta instead of flying to Orlando. This travel hack is called skiplagging. Some passengers use it to save money when the longer route is cheaper than the desired destination. Others use it to get to a destination where direct flights are sold out.

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If you book a flight but don't take it, you usually won't get a refund for the unused ticket. Airlines often have strict cancellation policies, and you may lose the money you paid for the ticket. It's important to check the airline's terms and conditions and consider travel insurance for unexpected situations.

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If same-day Delta flights are unavailable to your destination, Delta may reroute you on another airline. Thankfully, if you have to change airlines, you won't incur any additional costs.

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Within 24 hours of your domestic flight, you can make a Same-Day Ticket Change in some instances. Find information on how to make a Same-Day Confirmed or Same-Day Standby change.

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We have simplified travel by eliminating change fees for tickets originating from the United States, Canada, Europe, Africa and the Caribbean to anywhere in the world (excluding Basic Economy tickets). It's easy to cancel, make changes or rebook your flight online prior to departure in My Trips.

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If you'd like to change or cancel your flight, contact the airline or online travel agency directly for help.

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