Flight change

Whether a change is cheap, expensive or refused is decided by the fare on the ticket. Many standard fares on US airlines no longer carry a change penalty; the most restricted fares often cannot be moved at all. When a change request arrives, an agent reads the conditions attached to your ticket and checks what is selling on the dates you have named.

The quote that returns has up to three lines. The fare difference is what the replacement flight prices at now, measured against what you paid. The airline change charge is whatever your fare conditions set, if they set one. The desk fee covers the work of filing the change. Name more than one candidate date and each is priced, so the cheapest day to move to is visible rather than guessed at.

Your booking stands untouched until you approve a quote. No seat is held on the replacement flight while you consider it, so the fare difference can move between the quote and the filing.

How it works

1. 1

   Lodge the request

   The booking reference, the travelers affected and the dates or routing you want instead.

2. 2

   Conditions read

   An agent checks the fare rules on your ticket and the availability on each candidate flight.

3. 3

   Quote returned

   Fare difference, airline change charge and desk fee on separate lines, totaled in USD.

4. 4

   Approval and payment

   On your written reply, and payment of whatever is due, the change is filed with the airline.

5. 5

   Revised itinerary issued

   The updated itinerary and ticket details go out once the airline has processed the change.