Two more major airlines drop fees for changing flights. But there are exceptions
A day after United Airlines announced they will no longer charge passengers to change their flights, two other companies followed suit.
Now, American Airlines and Delta are also ridding the burden of flight change fees for their customers in an effort to make travel easier and less complicated, according to announcements made Monday by the airlines.
The changes are effective immediately.
However, they do not apply to passengers with Basic Economy tickets for both American and Delta, unlike United. These tickets are usually the cheapest and come with a number of restrictions such as boarding in the last group, no complimentary seat selection and limits to carry-on bags.
What to know as a Delta customer
As a Delta customer, you no longer have to pay to change your flight for travel within the U.S., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, the company said in a news release.
The change applies to Delta’s First Class, Premium Select, Comfort+ and the Main Cabin, but does not include Basic Economy tickets.
In lieu of a permanent change for Basic Economy flyers, the company said they are extending its waiver on change fees, originally implemented because of the coronavirus pandemic, for “newly purchased flights, including international flights and Basic Economy fares,” until the end of the year.
Delta is also extending its expiration date on travel credits through to December 2022 for tickets purchased before April 17.
“We want our customers to book and travel with peace of mind, knowing that we’ll continue evaluating our policies to maintain the high standard of flexibility they expect,” Delta CEO Ed Bastian said in the release.
What to know as an American Airlines customer
You will no longer have to pay to change your American Airlines flight for all domestic and “short-haul international flying,” the company said in a news release.
The change applies to travel to any of the U.S. states, Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, the Caribbean and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The new rule includes tickets purchased for First Class, Business Class, Premium Economy and the Main Cabin, but not for Basic Economy.
Beginning Oct. 1, American also will allow customers to standby on flights the same day as their original departure to the same destination at no charge, according to the release, for both domestic and international flights.
The company also said they will allow flyers to “keep full value of their original tickets if they change their travel plans prior to the scheduled travel.”
“For example, if a customer paid $500 for their flight and change to a flight that costs $300, American will give the customer a $200 voucher to use for a future trip,” the company said.
Like Delta, waivers on flight change fees for any American Airlines ticket will be extended through Dec. 31 as long as it is purchased on or before the deadline. But customers must pay any fare differences, according to the company.
This story was originally published August 31, 2020 at 5:24 PM.
