How to Change a Flight: The Complete 2025 Guide (All Major Airlines)

The No-Fee Change Era — What Actually Changed

In 2020, Delta, United, and American Airlines all eliminated change fees on standard economy and above for domestic routes. This was a pandemic-era policy that stuck. Today, these three carriers charge no change fee on most domestic and international tickets — but there's an important catch: you still pay any fare difference.

So if you booked a $200 ticket and the same route now costs $350, you'll pay the $150 difference. If the new fare is lower, most airlines issue a travel credit for the difference (not cash). Southwest stands alone in refunding fare differences in cash (or points) if the new fare is lower.

"No change fee" doesn't mean free changes. It means the airline won't charge a penalty — but you still pay if the fare went up.

What to Know Before You Change

Before you call or click, identify these three things:

• Your fare class — Is it Basic Economy, Standard Economy, or above? Basic Economy on most carriers cannot be changed at all.
• The fare difference — Look up what the same flight costs today. If it's higher than what you paid, you'll need to cover that.
• Your status tier — Frequent flyer elite members often get same-day changes free and have additional flexibility.

The fastest way to change is usually online (faster than the phone queue) unless you have a complex multi-city itinerary or a dispute about fees.

How to Change a Delta Flight

Delta was the first major carrier to eliminate change fees in September 2020, and the policy has remained in place.

Delta Change Policy (2025)

• Main Cabin, Comfort+, First Class, Delta One: No change fee on domestic, US-Canada, US-Mexico, US-Caribbean, and most international routes
• Basic Economy: Cannot be changed. Only exception is the 24-hour free cancellation
• Same-day confirmed changes: $75 for non-Medallion members; free for Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Diamond Medallion
• Award tickets: No change fees for redepositing SkyMiles on most award tickets

Steps to Change Your Delta Flight

1. Go to delta.com → My Trips → enter your confirmation number and last name
2. Select the flight segment you want to change
3. Choose "Change Flight" and select your new date/time
4. Review the fare difference (if any) and confirm

If you run into issues — especially with Basic Economy disputes, waiver requests, or complex itineraries — our specialists at +1-888-570-4815 can handle the change directly.

How to Change a United Flight

United followed Delta's lead in eliminating change fees. Their policy is nearly identical for standard fares.

United Change Policy (2025)

• Standard Economy and above: No change fees on domestic, US-Canada, US-Mexico, Caribbean, Central America, and most international routes
• Basic Economy: No changes permitted after the 24-hour window
• Same-day confirmed changes: $75 fee; free for Premier Gold, Platinum, and 1K members
• Same-day standby: Free for all customers on eligible routes

Steps to Change Your United Flight

1. Visit united.com → My Trips
2. Find your reservation using confirmation number
3. Select "Change flight" next to the segment
4. Choose new dates and review fare difference
5. Confirm and receive updated itinerary via email

How to Change an American Airlines Flight

American eliminated change fees on Main Cabin and above. Their execution is slightly different for award tickets and international routes.

American Change Policy (2025)

• Main Cabin, Premium Economy, Business, First: No change fees domestic and most international
• Basic Economy: No changes or cancellations for credit (24-hour rule only)
• AAdvantage elite members: Same-day confirmed changes/standby at no charge
• Award tickets: No change/redeposit fees for AAdvantage award tickets

Steps to Change an American Flight

1. Go to aa.com → Manage Trips
2. Enter your 6-character confirmation code and last name
3. Select the trip and click "Change trip"
4. Browse available options and select new flights
5. Pay any fare difference and receive new confirmation

How to Change a Southwest Flight

Southwest's change policy is the most generous in the industry — they have never charged change or cancellation fees on any fare, ever.

Southwest Change Policy (2025)

• All fares: Free to change, any time, up to 10 minutes before departure
• Fare goes up: You pay the difference
• Fare goes down (Wanna Get Away): You receive a travel fund for the difference
• Fare goes down (Business Select / Anytime): You receive a cash refund for the difference

Steps to Change a Southwest Flight

1. Go to southwest.com → My Trips
2. Log in or look up your booking by confirmation number
3. Select "Change" next to your flight
4. Choose new dates — the system shows any fare difference automatically
5. Confirm. Credit or charge applied immediately

Budget Airlines: Spirit, Frontier & JetBlue

Spirit Airlines

Spirit charges change fees based on timing: $69 (60+ days before), $99 (7–59 days), $119 (under 7 days). The Flight Flex add-on ($9–19) allows one free change. Without Flight Flex, Spirit is the most expensive carrier for changes per-capita.

Frontier Airlines

Frontier charges $39–$99 depending on timing. The WORKS bundle ($50–80 at booking) includes unlimited free changes and a full refund option — often worth buying if your plans are uncertain.

JetBlue Airways

JetBlue Blue Basic cannot be changed. All other fare levels (Blue, Blue Plus, Blue Extra, Mint) have no change fees. Fare differences still apply. JetBlue's policy is among the most consumer-friendly of any non-Southwest carrier.

Same-Day Flight Changes

Same-day changes are available at most carriers but vary significantly:

• Delta: $75 confirmed change; free for Medallion members. Must be same day, same origin-destination
• United: $75 confirmed change; free for Premier Gold+. Same-day standby free for all
• American: $75 confirmed change; free for Gold, Platinum, Platinum Pro, Executive Platinum
• Southwest: Free on any fare, any time
• JetBlue: Same-day changes at no fee on eligible fares (Blue and above)

For same-day changes, calling our team at +1-888-570-4815 is typically faster than online — we access real-time availability and can often confirm changes in under 5 minutes.

Pro Tips to Minimize Change Costs

• Never book Basic Economy if there's any chance of a change. The savings rarely justify the risk of a completely non-changeable ticket.
• Book directly with the airline to preserve change flexibility. Third-party booking sites sometimes add their own change restrictions.
• Check the new fare before calling. If the new fare is lower than what you paid, you may get a credit — know your leverage.
• Invoke the 24-hour rule if eligible. Cancel and rebook if you're within 24 hours of booking and the fare dropped.
• Change to a different time, not a different date, first. Same-day changes cost less than advance date changes on many carriers.
• Use weather waivers. During weather events, airlines issue waivers allowing free changes without fare difference. Monitor airline alerts on your travel dates.