It’s a beautiful morning and you are in a good mood as you have an exciting trip planned for which you will be leaving this evening. But you realised that you need to delay your plans as your sister has gone into labour. You opened your airline’s app on your mobile to initiate the process of flight ticket date change. As soon as you opened the app, you realised that you did not have to feel anxious, as the process is straightforward. When it comes to changing date on flight ticket, most airlines offer flexible policies and seamless procedures.
Travellers usually face the moment of uncertainty and here’s where most airlines offer great solutions. However, it is imperative to understand the policies and guidelines of the airlines you are flying with such as American, Alaska, Delta, United and many others for a hassle-free flight date change process. Our guide below will take you through the US airlines date change policies and steps to change flight ticket date.
Why Is It Important to Know Flight Ticket Date Change Policies?
When trying to make a flight ticket date change, it is important to know the flight date modification policies of each airline and it is a game-changer as well. There may be numerous factors due to which one may need to alter their plane ticket date, like a personal emergency, professional obligations or even weather interference. Whatever the reason may be, almost all carriers offer flexible options to passengers to make changes to their flight dates. However, the policies of major airlines also have certain limitations on when date changes can be made and when changes to dates can be made.
Every US airlines has its set of rules and policies that determine the procedure, fees and timings for flight ticket date modifications. While some airlines have no date change fee, others may impose a significant fee to make considerable date changes on flight tickets.
Reasons for Flight Date Changes
Several reasons may determine why a passenger might need to change their flight ticket date. From a family emergency, work-related obligations, to travel logistics, are some reasons why some passengers might want to modify their travel plans. Other than that, weather changes can also be a factor for passengers to reconsider their flight bookings.
Detailed Policies and Fee Structures: Major US Airlines
All US airlines do not have identical rules and policies for flight date changes. All airlines have their separate structured fare types, fare rules, flight date change policies and steps involved in modifying flight bookings. If you want to alter your flight date, then you should be well-informed of the US airline date change policy to avoid unnecessary hassle at the last moment.
Understanding these flight date change rules and the same‑day flight date change cost makes the process stress-free and less complicated. Here is our complete guide to major US airlines’ policies and fee structures for flight date changes.
United Airlines
The United Airlines flight date change policy offers immense flexibility to travellers with almost all fare types. Whether you have booked Standard, Economy or higher fare classes with United Airlines, you must get yourself familiar with the policies for each fare type for changing flight dates. United Airlines charges no extra fees for modifying a flight date for major domestic routes in the US. However, passengers still need to cover the fare difference between their flights. You can also enjoy United Airlines same-day changes option, which allows passengers to modify their flight date on the day of departure. But it may incur high fees and low availability.
American Airlines
American Airlines date change policy offers flexibility to all its fare types. The airline charges no extra fee for changing the flight ticket date for tickets booked in Main Cabin, Premium Economy, Business or First Class. You can easily request a flight date change without paying any additional charges; instead, you may need to pay the fare difference to cover the cost between your two flights.
Delta Airlines
With Delta Airlines, travellers can enjoy versatile options to modify their flight date, even at the last minute. According to Delta Airlines flight date change policy, flyers with most fare types can alter flight dates without any fees, except for the Basic Economy. If you have a Basic Economy fare type, then you might not have to pay any charges to make changes to your flight date, but you need to cover the cost of your flights as a fare difference.
Southwest Airlines
The exceptional customer-friendly policies of Southwest Airlines make it stand out from other US carriers. The Southwest Airlines flight date change policy does not charge any change fee from passengers on all its fare types. You are allowed to make any changes to your flight before departure without any penalties.
JetBlue Airlines
JetBlue Airlines flight date change policy offers impressive flexibility and clarity in all fare types. If you are flying with JetBlue Airlines, you are permitted to make a flight date change without any additional charges. Instead of any change fees, passengers need to cover the fare difference between their new and original flight costs.
Alaska Airlines
Alaska Airlines has designed its policies to increase the convenience and comfort of its passengers. Alaska Airlines flight date change policy charges zero change fees on most fare types including Main and First Class. This makes it easier for travellers to request a flight date change at no extra cost.
Spirit Airlines
As compared to other US carriers, Spirit Airlines has stricter rules for making changes to flight bookings. You can change flight date with Spirit Airlines but a fee may apply depending on when you are making the changes before departure. If you are initiating the change process more than 60 days before your flight’s scheduled departure, then there will be no change fee. However, if you are modifying the flight date 7 to 59 days before departure, you need to pay a fee of $49 and changes made within 0-6 days of departure come with an applicable fee of $99 along with the fare difference, as per Spirit Airlines flight date change policy.
Frontier Airlines
With Frontier Airlines flight date change policy, travellers can request a flight date change but with fees depending on fare type and when and how the changes are made. As a passenger, always read the guidelines under this policy before making changes to your flight date.
Step‑by‑Step: How to Change Your Flight Date
Follow the steps below on how to change flight date online for US flights:
- Sign in to your account on the airline website or mobile application and tap on the ‘My Trips’ or ‘Manage Booking’.
- You will get a list of flight reservations under this section. Select the flight you want to change the date of.
- Click on ‘Modify Reservation’ or ‘Choose Flight’ and proceed to change.
- Select a new flight and date from the list of available dates and review any fare difference.
- If you notice a fare difference, pay for it and click on ‘Confirm.’
- After receiving your new E-ticket, make sure to verify the details.
- In case of any problem, call your airlines customer support and receive immediate assistance.
Fees For Flight Date Changes
Fees for flight ticket date change US airlines can largely depend on the airline, fare type and whether the change is initiated close to departure. Most major US carriers such as Delta, American, United and Alaska Airlines, no longer charge flight date change fees for most of their main cabin fares, but the traveller is still required to pay any difference in fare should the new flight be more costly.
But Basic Economy or low-cost fares, like those of Spirit, Frontier and JetBlue Blue Basic, usually include rigid rules and non-refundable change fees of $49 to $99 or more, particularly for last-minute changes. To make your travel stress-free, always know your fare types and their rules and the airline’s policies for date changes.
Tips to Minimise Costs For Flight Date Changes
- Always try to book with your accumulated travel credits to get a good waiver on your flight booking fee.
- Before you book your flight, ensure that you track the fare rates of the airline you will be travelling with.
- When selecting your date to fly, you should not go for peak travel days like weekends or holidays.
- You can always contact the airline’s customer support to get in touch with an experienced agent to resolve your travel queries.
Frequently Asked Questions About Flight Date Changes With US Carriers
-
Can I change my flight date after booking?
Yes, you can change your flight ticket date after booking but it may depend on the airline’s policies. Most US carriers such as Delta airlines, Spirit Airlines, United Airlines and American Airlines have no change fee for most of their fare types.
-
Do I have to pay a fee to change my flight ticket date?
Fees for flight ticket date change US airlines depend on the US airline you are flying with. Each airline has separate policies and fees associated with flight date changes. However, in major cases, passengers need to pay the fare difference if their new flight is more expensive than the original flight.
-
What is the deadline to change my flight date?
Passengers should always try to make flight date changes as soon as possible to avoid paying higher change fees. Most airlines permit date changes up until a few hours before the scheduled departure.
-
Is it possible to change the date of a non-refundable flight ticket?
Yes, some airlines such as Alaska, United and JetBlue, allow flight date changes with a non-refundable ticket but you will have to pay a fare difference along with a change fee. It is necessary to read the guidelines of these airlines before making any changes.
-
Will I get a refund if my new flight is cheaper than the original flight I booked?
No, you will not receive a refund if your new flight is cheaper than the original flight but the airlines will issue a travel credit to your account for future travel purposes. You can use these travel credits for your next booking to get a waiver on the booking fees. But remember, travel credits have a validity of 12 months from the original date of booking; therefore, use them before they expire.
-
What to Keep Handy Before You Initiate a Date Change
Some essential things you should keep handy before making flight date changes are the booking number, passenger details, original flight details, new date to fly on and a credit or debit card, travel credits and travel insurance policy information.
Final Thoughts On Flight Date Changes With US Carriers
For flight date changes with US carriers, travellers can explore straightforward policies and guidelines of US airlines for a hassle-free process. Travellers no longer have to be concerned about the change fees, as most airlines have eliminated any fees for modifying flight bookings. As a frequent traveller, always make sure to read the fare rules and policies of your airlines, be flexible with available flights and dates, make changes as early as possible and keep a record of the confirmation number and changes made.
