Update: JetBlue has relented and extended their basic economy fee waivers for tickets purchased through 5/31.
That leaves American as the lone holdout in not extending their basic economy waiver.
Originally posted on 9/30/20:
United shocked the airline industry when they announced they would permanently eliminate change fees on domestic flights.
Of course given that United sold lifetime Club Memberships, lifetime Silver Wings Memberships, and awarded lifetime million miler benefits which they didn’t honor as promised, I’ll take “permanently” with a huge grain of salt. The change will last as long as they want it to last, and not a day longer.
But part of the strategy is to get more people to buy up from basic economy fares to standard economy fares, as basic economy fares are excluded from the free changes. If that’s successful then the change may indeed stick around.
Of course Southwest never charges change fees, refunds the residual value when switching to a less expensive flight, and they don’t sell basic economy fares. Even with the competition eliminating some fees, Southwest is still a step ahead of everyone else.
At any rate, each of the airlines’ policies have many nuances, so I’ve collected them in the chart below for comparison sake. Of course these are all subject to change, but this is how things stand now.
This chart applies to tickets purchased under COVID-19 waivers, for travel anytime:
| Ticket type | Alaska | American | Delta | Hawaiian | JetBlue | United |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Use this chart for tickets purchased by: | 4/30/21 | 3/31/21 | 4/30/21 | 4/30/21 | 5/31/21 | 4/30/21 |
| Paid tickets worldwide, including basic economy | No change fees. All funds can be deposited into Alaska Wallet so that no value is lost. | No change fees. Voucher issued for residual value when making a change to a less expensive flight. | No change fees. Voucher issued for residual value when making a change to a less expensive flight. | No change fees. You will lose residual value when making a change to a less expensive flight. | No change fees. All funds can be deposited into JetBlue TravelBank so that no value is lost. | No change fees. Request an electronic travel certificate as a refund so that you don't lose any residual value when making a change to a less expensive flight. |
| Award tickets worldwide | No change or redeposit fees. | No change or redeposit fees. | No change or redeposit fees. | No change or redeposit fees. | No change or redeposit fees, but taxes will be converted to Travel Bank funds instead of refunded. | No change fees. Redeposit fees waived if award is cancelled 30+ days prior to departure. |
This chart applies to tickets purchased after the end of COVID-19 waivers:
| Ticket type | Alaska | American | Delta | Hawaiian | JetBlue | United |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Policies in this chart will begin on: | 5/1/21 | 4/1/21 | 5/1/21 | 5/1/21 | 6/1/21 | 5/1/21 |
| Paid basic economy worldwide | Changes not allowed, carry-on bags are free. | Changes not allowed, carry-on bags are free. Upgrades and elite seating upgrade now apply. | Changes not allowed, carry-on bags are free. | Changes not allowed, carry-on bags are free. | North America changes cost $100, other changes cost $200. Overhead carry-on bag not allowed as of 7/20 unless you have Mosaic status. | Changes not allowed. Overhead carry-on bag not allowed unless you have elite status or paid with your United card. |
| Paid tickets in the US | No change fees. Voucher issued for residual value when making a change to a less expensive flight. | No change fees. Voucher issued for residual value when making a change to a less expensive flight. | No change fees. Voucher issued for residual value when making a change to a less expensive flight. | No change fees. You will lose residual value when making a change to a less expensive flight. | No change fees. Airfare will be converted to Travel Bank funds for use within 12 months | No change fees. Voucher issued for residual value when making a change to a less expensive flight. |
| Award tickets in the US | No change or redeposit fees, taxes will be refunded. | No change or redeposit fees, taxes will be refunded. | No change or redeposit fees, taxes will be refunded. Basic economy awards are not changeable. | No change or redeposit fees, taxes will be refunded. | No change or redeposit fees, but taxes will be converted to Travel Bank funds instead of refunded. | No change fees. Redeposit fees waived if cancelled 30+ days before departure. Taxes will be refunded. |
| Paid tickets to Canada | No change fees. Voucher issued for residual value when making a change to a less expensive flight. | No change fees. Voucher issued for residual value when making a change to a less expensive flight. | No change fees. Voucher issued for residual value when making a change to a less expensive flight. | Hawaiian doesn't fly to Canada. | JetBlue doesn't fly to Canada. | No change fees if travel originates in the USA. Voucher issued for residual value when making a change to a less expensive flight. |
| Award tickets to Canada | No change or redeposit fees, taxes will be refunded. | No change or redeposit fees, taxes will be refunded. | No change or redeposit fees, taxes will be refunded. Basic economy awards are not changeable. | Hawaiian doesn't fly to Canada. | JetBlue doesn't fly to Canada. | No change fees if travel originates in the USA. Redeposit fees waived if cancelled 30+ days before departure. Taxes will be refunded. |
| Paid tickets to Mexico or Caribbean | No change fees. Voucher issued for residual value when making a change to a less expensive flight. | No change fees. Voucher issued for residual value when making a change to a less expensive flight. | No change fees. Voucher issued for residual value when making a change to a less expensive flight. | Hawaiian doesn't fly to Mexico or the Caribbean. | No change fees. Airfare will be converted to Travel Bank funds for use within 12 months | No change fees if travel originates in the USA. Voucher issued for residual value when making a change to a less expensive flight. |
| Award tickets to Mexico or Caribbean | No change or redeposit fees, taxes will be refunded. | No change or redeposit fees, taxes will be refunded. | No change or redeposit fees, taxes will be refunded. Basic economy awards are not changeable. | Hawaiian doesn't fly to Mexico or the Caribbean. | No change or redeposit fees, but taxes will be converted to Travel Bank funds instead of refunded. | No change fees if travel originates in the USA. Redeposit fees waived if cancelled 30+ days before departure. Taxes will be refunded. |
| Paid tickets elsewhere in the world | No change fees. Voucher issued for residual value when making a change to a less expensive flight. | No change fees if travel originates in North or South America. Voucher issued for residual value when making a change to a less expensive flight. | No change fees if travel originates in North America. Voucher issued for residual value when making a change to a less expensive flight. | No change fees. You will lose residual value when making a change to a less expensive flight. | No change fees. Airfare will be converted to Travel Bank funds for use within 12 months | No change fees if travel originates in the USA. Voucher issued for residual value when making a change to a less expensive flight. |
| Award tickets elsewhere in the world | TBD. Alaska has not yet decided on this policy. | No change or redeposit fees, taxes will be refunded. | No change or redeposit fees if travel originates in North America, taxes will be refunded. Basic economy awards are not changeable. | No change or redeposit fees, taxes will be refunded. | No change or redeposit fees, but taxes will be converted to Travel Bank funds instead of refunded. | No change fees if travel originates in the USA. Redeposit fees waived if cancelled 30+ days before departure. Taxes will be refunded. |
| Standby Fees Worldwide | Regular standby fees apply. | No fees on paid, basic economy, and award tickets. | Regular standby fees apply. | Regular standby fees apply. | Regular standby fees apply. | No fees on paid, basic economy, and award tickets. |
So, which airline did it best?
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145 Comments On "[JetBlue Waiver Extended] Changing An Airline Ticket? Here Is A Chart Comparing Which Airlines Now Allow Free Changes!"
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It might help to add that HUCA is required many times to get an ETC on UA
https://forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=2046.msg2329645#msg2329645
Call?
I’ve had no issues via SMS and Twitter.
Yups, via call, I attached (in DDF) the voice recording of denial and when I called back a nice woman, Janie, a supervisor informed me there was a memo sent around requesting agents limit ETC’s to persistent requests, basically only if customer asks for an exception.
I totally get them, they lose more money on the ETC’s.
Use social media.
Thanx, article is very informative, bokmarked it.
Anywhere where I can find more info on how to do this?
Oh, I see below the united text number. Thanks!
What about Air Canada?
Can I change name on ticket to someone else ?
Depends if you use a voucher/travel bank funds or not.
Assuming no voucher/travel bank, can you change the name? (I’m specifically asking about Delta)
So I booked an AA award ticket in May 2020 for travel in March 2021 – at the time I don’t think redeposit was free – is it now or am I held to the original rules?
It will be free.
Does anyone know about Avianca lifemiles award ticket ?
What’s the number to SMS United?
32050 shortcode.
Used BA and Alaska to book on AA …how to change or cancel ?
The rules of the ticketing carrier are what apply.
So BA and Alaska rules apply even if flying on AA?
Thanks for putting this together! I have been looking for exactly this type of list a couple weeks ago and will be a good resource. Until the policy changes that is..
You’re welcome!
I’ll try to keep this updated, but post a comment if it needs fixing.
Is that for changes only or also if i want to cancel?
The only time a non-refundable paid ticket can be cancelled for a refund is when there’s a schedule change.
I used a electronic travel certificate for United and I lost the residual value
Nope, that’s not how it works. ETC also has residual value.
So what do I do. It happened twice already
Sounds like you are using future flight credit and not an ETC. Did you request an ETC?
Yes. With a pin code
And it goes to $0 after making a partial redemption?
I’ve redeemed countless ETCs and have never seen that.
Contact United.
I will. Thank you!
This a great must’ve taken you a ton of time to put this together! Question, on UA and AA, with domestic award tickets in 2021, can I change a ticket indefinitely rather than cancel and redeposit? Eventually il use it somewhere. Is there a max number of times or a latest date that it can be changed until? And can I change city pairs or just dates?
Tickets generally have to be used within 1 year. There are some pandemic extensions for 2 years.
I have a flight in July. If I can’t go will I have 1 year to use the credit from booking date or flight date?
Thanks Dan!
I was waiting for such a post, Its great.
Thanks 🙂
Clear and informative as usual. Now it’s time for the int’l airlines to jump on the bandwagon.
Does frontier allow free cancellations now?
If I book a BA operated flight with AA miles in 2020, how will AA treat the huge taxes and fees if I cancel? Do they refund the cash portion 100% as part of the ‘redeposit’?
Can i change an upcoming united ticket to more than 30 days away and then cancel to avoid the change fee?
Shhh 😉
AA redeposit waiver is even in web special?
Yes.
This is fantastic! Thank you. It will be great if you can write a similar post for foreign airlines which are frequently used for award redemptions (British Airways, Air Canada, Avianca, Turkish Airlines, Cathay Pacific, and maybe Air France or Qantas)
+1
so basically, if you use miles you can cancel the ticket and get your miles back, if you book a flight with cash then you can change it for later, but you cannot receive a full refund of the cash?
So basically if I already have a united ETC and I see a flight I might want there’s nothing to lose by booking it bec I can just cancel it back to an ETC, right?
Wondering this too with Delta’s eCredit
Great Post…,
I have an Explorer Card, if i purchase multiple tickets under my itinerary and i end up not flying (and don’t cancel my ticket) will the carry on bags be waived for the others automatically ?
As always the GURU comes through with an extraordinary post.
Your chart seems to imply that. Is it the case?
Hi Dan,
I booked a united flight through Turkish, do you know if I can cancel?
I didn’t see Your favorite airline Spirit anywhere in your chart.
Thanks for the useful list. In my experience the AA waiver on award tickets only applies to web specials if they are for travel in 2020 — have you seen reports of folks getting bookings for 2021 travel redeposited without a fee?
how long before flight can i cance for ex. jetblue
“Request an electronic travel certificate as a refund so that you don’t lose any residual value when making a change to a less expensive flight.”
@dan If you book it now, can you still cancel a United flight for an ETC
With Delta Voucher issued
Can it be used for other names? or only the same as the original?
call them and ask
If I already got future flight credit can I have them change it to an ETC?
What about ANA booked with Virgin Atlantic Miles?
Hey Dan, I bought tickets to Israel through Priceline on the deal you posted two weeks ago ($692 non stop) now I’m interested in changing the dates, but am getting awful Priceline service without any date change yet, any advice?
Or should I buy tickets directly from the airline next time?
Don’t know if this question belongs here or not but if dan or someone can help out that wud be great. I want to know if I can purchase a ticket to fll for example (rates are really cheap rite now)for this week, then have it changed to about a month from now (tickets are much more expensive) for free?
Won’t work as you need to pay the difference in fare.
delta DOES allow changes for basic economy tickets at this time due to coronavirus.
That’s what the post says.
Hi @Dan, upun checking on United’s website (here https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly/travel/notices.html#nochangefees) it clearly states: “We’re waiving redeposit fees for award flights departing on or before December 31, 2020, that are canceled at least 30 days before the departure date” which means that flights booked before Dec. 31 but for travel in 2021, the award redeposit fees do apply?
Not sure what you are asking.
Thanks for your reply! I meant to say that you write that “This chart applies to tickets purchased in 2020, for travel anytime”, but on on the website it seems that the redeposit fee waiver is only for travel in 2020?
https://www.dansdeals.com/points-travel/airlines/united/wow-united-eliminates-domestic-change-fees-good-plus-free-cancelation-awards-30-days-notice/
Correct, I didn’t see this one!
Thanks again Dan for all the great posts that you write!!
With regard to no change fee, some airlines only allow a change one time and some allow more than one change? Also, can you change the flight to more than a year away from the purchase date? Is this info also compiled somehwere?
All US airlines allow unlimited changes now.
In general, flights must be completed within 1 year of purchase, but if you get a voucher you would have longer.
Thanks for the amazing post and quick reply. Ive been a close (yet relatively quiet) follower since ctownbochur days. TY
Do tickets bought using Chase ultimate reward points (through their portal) have the same free change fees apply?
I can confirm it is not that easy to cancel an award flight without a redeposit fee even if more than 30 days away. I had such a flight. Tried the website, wanted to charge me $75. Then chatted with an agent via SMS, she wanted to charge me $125. After I sent her a link with UA’s policy, she still insisted that’s until Dec 31, 2020 but she’ll make one time exception. That works unless I want to redeposit another flight and they keep records of these exceptions.
united gave me a travel credit for the ticket but not for the extra i paid for economy plus
so i basically got 1/2 refund ugh
If you received a Voucher from Delta for Cancelling a paid cash flight, do you must book with the Airline now directly in order to use it? As opposed to Priceline/ Orbitz..
Yes.
This is the email message I received when canceling on United. Can I rebook at a later date for different passengers/ family members?
“Go to My trips and enter the confirmation number from this email and last name on the reservation – or book with credit now.”
No, you need to contact United and ask for an electronic travel certificate.
How does one use an electronic travel certificate?
On United.com
if i purchase now a united ticket for april will i be able in april to request a travel certificate
Delta:
1. Delta always gave elite benefits to BE except upgrades.
2. Award international flights don’t have any fees
3. Awards between US, Mexico and the Caribbean are also free of change.
Delta
#2 meant to write international awards from the US
So if I buy a Basic Economy ticket on AA now for travel sometime in 2021, buy my plans change, can I cancel that ticket and get a voucher good on ANY future AA flight within the next year?
You would be able to use that PNR to book any AA flight. You would get a voucher if it costs less than the original flight.
Thanks for the updated information, is it possible to get the details for other non US airlines?
If you book a delta Flight with an eCredit and then cancel, does it redeposit back into your account? Do you have anything to lose?
Re: Delta Basic Economy Fares: Are redeposit fees eliminated if I use miles for a basic economy fare for a flight in 1-2 weeks? Delta’s website still states that there are no redeposit fees for tickets purchased with miles EXCEPT basic economy fares. Thanks in advance
any change in cancelation rules for BA avios?
So would this allow free changes for the Brazil business class deal?
Sure, but the difference in fare still applies…
What happens to taxes booked on award flights if canceled? Is that refunded to credit card or would that turn into airline credit/travel bank etc…?
On everyone besides JetBlue, cash refund.
JetBlue refunds to TravelBank funds.
United isn’t allowing me receive a travel certificate for an international flight purchased this month, insisting they only give flight credits now. Did their policy change? Am i just doing it wrong? Thanks
I tried canceling a ticket yesterday by United from pbi to ewr. I called twice and asked for an etc they said that they could only offer a credit. One of the reps even asked me to stay on hold and she will ask her supervisor and then she said that she’s very sorry but a credit is the only option they could offer.
Try DMing United on Twitter or SMS to 32050
I contacted united via sms and I was told the same. The only option they had for an ETC was that I should go the refunds page on their website and request a refund and see if I get approve. The refunds page requires first to cancel your flight and then ask for a refund.
Try Twitter
Tried on Twitter and this the message I got “Please be advised that the option for a Electronic Travel Certificate is available when a flight is impacted by a major schedule change or a cancellation, and if it has a refundable fare. Your flight is operating as scheduled at this time. If you’re unable to take the flight on February 11th, you may cancel for a future flight credit. We also do offer a travel certificate if a passenger’s routing will require a quarantine or is affected by government restrictions. Bookings that were cancelled between March 3 – July 31, 2020 that are qualified for an active COVID-19 change fee waiver could still be converted to travel certificates at this time.”
I think some airlines have a different policy when it involves partner redemptions… Alaska, for instance. Would be a helpful addition to your super helpful chart!
No airlines in the chart do that.
Alaska’s policy outside of the regions in the chart for tickets bought after the COVID waiver ends is TBD as stated in the chart.
Also, I thought redeposit of aa going forward requires canceling 60 days in advance
The chart is accurate.
Could you please clarify?
If I book a domestic (Hawaii) award flight on American/Delta/United now in coach and then pay for an upgraded seat, will I also get the seat upgrade fee refunded if I cancel on Delta/American/> 30 days on United?
Thanks
Dan,
So did I ask a stupid question?
Can anyone be a mensch and help me understand how seat upgrade fees are handled on award cancellations? Are they fully refunded like the taxes?
Thx
Any updates on airlines that block middle seats? End dates?
Hey Dan,
So if I were to book an award tix to SIN in Nov ( Using AA miles ) for my spouse to see my father-in-law who has cancer, should we need to cancel or change the tix for any reason, there will be no penalty of any sort? With the way things are going here the is the US, we cant be sure if leaving the US to SIN is wise or feasible yet.
Appreciate the chart you have put up! 🙂
No fees.
Where can i find LOT polish cancellation policy ?
Spirit was still blocking last Thursday.
I bought my son a United Flight from Israel to Newark for early march (Rosh Chodesh Nisan) with LIFELINES points. I also got him (with Qantas miles) an El Al return flight for Rosh chodesh Iyar. In the event that he decides to stay in EY for pesach (i) Is there a way to change the LIFELINES purchased United ticket to Newark or the Qantas purchased El Al ticket bact to EY without charges (or with limited charges)
Canceled AA tickets booked through Chase UR, only received a non transferable credit expiring in one year. Any chance I can convert it as a transferable credit, having the entire credit in my account? (Like JetBlue’s travel bank)
“No change or redeposit fees.” (aa award).
Does it matter when the ticket is booked? Less than 7 days from the flight?
No.
Dan, would this also apply to Delta flights booked with miles through Air France?
Change rules go based on which airline booked the ticket, not which airline operates the flights.
Hi, what’s the redeposit fee for united awards if its not 30 plus days b4 departure, and can you move it to a later date for free and redeposit after?
Also did British airways change any redeposit fees due to covid?
Thanks in advance
You can change it and redeposit 🙂
BA is still charging redeposit fees.
My United flight to Brussels was cancelled So i took a different date.
Now i see that this date would not work for me.
Would United change my destination to AMS instead of BRU for the original purchased date?
Or would i be eligible for a full refund?
Ask and let us know 🙂
My main question is,
would you know if it’s still called that United cancelled my flight and eligible for a refund, or not because i changed already to a different date?
Thanks!!!
Probably not eligible, but they may grant it anyway. YMMV.
How much time before flight can jetblue awards be canceled?
Also how long does the change in flight need to be for a full refund
Anytime before departure.
Typically at least 2 hours.
Hi Dan,
Thanks again for this amazing article.
Just a side (or snide) comment.
I was trying to change a flight UA TLV-EWR, and while, thank you, no change fees, now the mileage (award ticket) required is double. However, I would only receive credit for the original amount of miles even though the airline presumably will make off like a bandit selling that seat.
I’m looking to book a delta award flight basic economy but it says no changes allowed. Is that correct? Can i still cancel the award ticket if I don’t need it under the COVID waiver? Thanks!
Can I change my United award ticket to a later date 6 months from now, and cancel later to avoid redeposit fee?
It looks like Delta has extended the 3/30 policy until 4/30, correct?
Yup!
Thanks so much for posting this, @Dan. Question i have is where does it state that United will retain no change fees for basic economy for any flights at all?
Thanks!
Never said that.
The last chart says that there are no change fees for basic economy tickets purchased after April 1st (not May 1st), if they are domestic US, or International originating in the US. Unless I’ve misunderstood? My question is what the source is for that, as I wasn’t able to find it on the website. Thanks!
It says no such thing.
I think Alaska extended their covid waiver through 4/30/21 and then 5/1/21 will be the start of the no change fee policy, which I guess means there’s still a cancellation fee?
This doesn’t explain how long you have to use the credit of a cancelled flight). Does it?
Do these waivers apply to codeshares? For example, if I book an Aeromexico flight through Delta, do I get these same free change benefits?
Any redeposit fees for ELAL ticket purchased with Qantas points
I see that someone already asked this question but didn’t get an answer: if i book a ticket by delta with skymiles will i get an e credit if i cancel or will i just get back my points?
I had to cancel Jet Blue tickets purchased through Expedia because of Covid. Expedia rep said they can bank the value of the tickets to be used for Jet Blue purchase. And they show up as available credit on my Expedia act. About 40 each. (Yeah tickets were really cheap). I tried using them and the price shown before using the credit was about 140 for the new flights. When I try using the credit, have to search again and the same flights are 50 more. More than the credit is. Something smells in Denmark.
I am trying to book a ticket on delta to fly in August and return in June but currently cannot book further then a return in March. Can I book now and wait until i am able and change the return flight for no fee ?
You can change for free, but you’ll owe any difference in fare.
Forgive me if this was discussed before-
If I book an award ticket and cancel, what happens to the taxes and fees? Are they refunded to my credit card or would I be given an airline voucher?
Refunded for every airline except JetBlue, which gives a voucher.
Dan- You are literally amazing!