[Final Day To Book JetBlue Basic Tickets With Free Changes] Changing An Airline Ticket? Here Is A Chart Comparing Which Airlines Now Allow Free Changes!

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Update, 10/31/21: Today is the final day to book JetBlue basic economy tickets with free changes. Tickets can be redeposited into TravelBank funds with no fees.

Update, 8/30/21: Delta and United now allow free changes on all basic economy tickets booked anytime for travel through 12/31/21.

JetBlue now allows free changes on all basic economy tickets booked between 8/25-10/31 for travel anytime.

Hawaiian now allows free changes on all basic economy tickets booked by 10/31 for travel anytime.

American is currently allowing free changes on all tickets originating in Europe, Africa, Australia, New Zealand, India, and the Middle East, including basic economy. However they are not waiving fees on basic economy tickets purchased after 3/31/21 originating in North or South America.Ā 

United is also allowing free changes on tickets originating outside of the US that are purchased by 9/30/21.


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 typeAlaskaAmericanDeltaHawaiianJetBlueUnited
Use this chart for tickets purchased by:4/30/213/31/214/30/214/30/216/7/214/30/21
Paid tickets worldwide, including basic economyNo 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 worldwideNo 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 typeAlaskaAmericanDeltaHawaiianJetBlueUnited
Policies in this chart will begin on:5/1/214/1/215/1/215/1/216/8/215/1/21
Paid basic economy worldwideChanges not allowed, carry-on bags are free.Changes not allowed, carry-on bags are free.
Upgrades and elite seating upgrade now apply.

Fees are waived for flights originating abroad that are purchased by 6/30.
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 USNo 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 monthsNo change fees.
Voucher issued for residual value when making a change to a less expensive flight.
Award tickets in the USNo 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 CanadaNo 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.

Fees are waived for flights originating abroad that are purchased by 9/30
Award tickets to CanadaNo 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.

Fees are waived for flights originating abroad that are purchased by 9/30
Paid tickets to Mexico or CaribbeanNo 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 monthsNo change fees if travel originates in the USA.
Voucher issued for residual value when making a change to a less expensive flight.

Fees are waived for flights originating abroad that are purchased by 9/30
Award tickets to Mexico or CaribbeanNo 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.

Fees are waived for flights originating abroad that are purchased by 9/30
Paid tickets elsewhere in the worldNo 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.

Fees are waived for flights originating abroad that are purchased by 6/30.
No change fees if travel originates in North America.
Voucher issued for residual value when making a change to a less expensive flight.

Fees are temporarily waived for flights originating abroad
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 monthsNo change fees if travel originates in the USA.

Voucher issued for residual value when making a change to a less expensive flight.


Fees are waived for flights originating abroad that are purchased by 9/30
Award tickets elsewhere in the worldNo change or redeposit fees, taxes will be refunded.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.

Fees are temporarily waived for flights originating abroad
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.

Fees are waived for flights originating abroad that are purchased by 9/30
Standby Fees WorldwideRegular standby fees apply.No fees on paid, basic economy, and award tickets.No fees on paid and award tickets if seats aren't available on desired flight. If seat opens after waitlisting then the change is free. Not valid in basic economy or if confirmed $75 seats are available.Regular standby fees apply.Regular standby fees apply.No fees on paid, basic economy, and award tickets.

So, which airline did it best?

Leave a Reply

182 Comments On "[Final Day To Book JetBlue Basic Tickets With Free Changes] Changing An Airline Ticket? Here Is A Chart Comparing Which Airlines Now Allow Free Changes!"

All opinions expressed below are user generated and the opinions arenā€™t provided, reviewed or endorsed by any advertiser or DansDeals.

KSMH

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

Sam

What about Air Canada?

Yank

Can I change name on ticket to someone else ?

Nic

So I booked an AA award ticket in May 2020 for travel in March 2021 – at the time I donā€™t think redeposit was free – is it now or am I held to the original rules?

Elchanan

Does anyone know about Avianca lifemiles award ticket ?

Mr. CC

What’s the number to SMS United?

rediplus

Used BA and Alaska to book on AA …how to change or cancel ?

Izz

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..

Danfan+

Is that for changes only or also if i want to cancel?

Mordy

I used a electronic travel certificate for United and I lost the residual value

Yitz

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?

David

Thanks Dan!
I was waiting for such a post, Its great.

ari3

Clear and informative as usual. Now it’s time for the int’l airlines to jump on the bandwagon.

Alan

Does frontier allow free cancellations now?

jef

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’?

Eli

Can i change an upcoming united ticket to more than 30 days away and then cancel to avoid the change fee?

...

AA redeposit waiver is even in web special?

ETP

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)

Jonah

+1

mord1

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?

anon

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?

J

Wondering this too with Delta’s eCredit

meir

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 ?

chaz

As always the GURU comes through with an extraordinary post.

JetBlue travel bank won\'t expire?

Your chart seems to imply that. Is it the case?

Jack

Hi Dan,
I booked a united flight through Turkish, do you know if I can cancel?

Andy

I didnā€™t see Your favorite airline Spirit anywhere in your chart.

David

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 ā€” have you seen reports of folks getting bookings for 2021 travel redeposited without a fee?

eli

how long before flight can i cance for ex. jetblue

@yungermanchik

“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

berry

With Delta Voucher issued
Can it be used for other names? or only the same as the original?

bs

call them and ask

DD fan

If I already got future flight credit can I have them change it to an ETC?

Amy

What about ANA booked with Virgin Atlantic Miles?

Shilodude21

Hey Dan, I bought tickets to Israel through Priceline on the deal you posted two weeks ago ($692 non stop) now Iā€™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?

mk

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?

Mendy

delta DOES allow changes for basic economy tickets at this time due to coronavirus.

Shalom

Hi @Dan, upun checking on United’s website (here https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly/travel/notices.html#nochangefees) it clearly states: “Weā€™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?

anon

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?

josh

Do tickets bought using Chase ultimate reward points (through their portal) have the same free change fees apply?

Peter

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.

sruly

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

J

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..

Eli

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.”

bs

if i purchase now a united ticket for april will i be able in april to request a travel certificate

Mendy

Delta:
1. Delta always gave elite benefits to BE except upgrades.
2. Award international flights donā€™t have any fees
3. Awards between US, Mexico and the Caribbean are also free of change.

Mendy

Delta
#2 meant to write international awards from the US

iahphx

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?

Dansdeal\'s fan

Thanks for the updated information, is it possible to get the details for other non US airlines?

J

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?

Pghtown

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

Baruch Rosenberg

any change in cancelation rules for BA avios?

Josh

So would this allow free changes for the Brazil business class deal?

DS

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…?

Yoni

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

Dov

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 sheā€™s very sorry but a credit is the only option they could offer.

usernamechuck

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!

usernamechuck

Also, I thought redeposit of aa going forward requires canceling 60 days in advance

Mike

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

Mike

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

Flaggie

Any updates on airlines that block middle seats? End dates?

Kay

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! šŸ™‚

Hamariv

Where can i find LOT polish cancellation policy ?

Dov

Spirit was still blocking last Thursday.

deborah

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)

EliJelly

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)

1991

“No change or redeposit fees.” (aa award).
Does it matter when the ticket is booked? Less than 7 days from the flight?

Yitzchak

Dan, would this also apply to Delta flights booked with miles through Air France?

Baruch

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

BRU

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?

Q

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

BigAl

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.

Gubzzz

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!

emak

Can I change my United award ticket to a later date 6 months from now, and cancel later to avoid redeposit fee?

Joseph

It looks like Delta has extended the 3/30 policy until 4/30, correct?

Levi

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!

Matthew

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?

Bgiller1

This doesnā€™t explain how long you have to use the credit of a cancelled flight). Does it?

Erik

Do these waivers apply to codeshares? For example, if I book an Aeromexico flight through Delta, do I get these same free change benefits?

Avi

Any redeposit fees for ELAL ticket purchased with Qantas points

naftali

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?

J

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.

Uropsych

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 ?

Ariel

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?

Baruch

Hi Dan, do you also have a chart for cancelation policies? as this chart seems to only have change policies.

Thanks
Baruch

C2CMom

This chart is extremely helpful. I had several airlines to choose from when booking our trip to Costa Rica and, while the prices were similar on several airlines, the change policies were quite different. Thank you for making this decision much easier!

Go Tribe!

Hi Dan maybe you can help me.
I’ve seen conflicting reports about canceling a basic economy award ticket on Delta. Are those tickets able to be cancelled after the first 24 hour window?

Nate

AAā€™s no change fee on international flights originating in North or South America does not specify flights to Middle East or Africa. The policy does include flights to Europe, Asia, Australia, among others.

Can anyone say with certainty if flights from North America to Israel may be changed for no fee? Inclusive of Basic Economy flights?

mick

Israel is in AA’s Middle East region as it should be, so it appears to be excluded from free changes.

Dan, do you have reason to believe otherwise?

AA policy…

We also eliminated change fees for First, Business, Premium Economy and Main Cabin tickets for all long-haul international flights originating in North or South America for tickets issued on or after November 19, 2020.

If your trip starts in North or South America and you’re flying to:
Asia
Australia
Europe
New Zealand
North America
South America
United Kingdom

And if youā€™re flying in any of these cabins:
Main Cabin (except Basic Economy fares)
Premium Economy
Business
First

Al

Web specials award tickets on American are not changeable. However, miles can be refunded to account.

levi

So it seems that for a United basic economy ticket, today would be the last day to book. If I book today, I would still be able to HUCA request a ETC. Is that correct? And secondly, is there any indication that they will once again postpone the end date for a month? Thanks, Dan!

Prr665

Need to fly UA on April 8 but schedule isn’t open yet. Today is last day to book under their policy. If I book a ticket today for, say, March 2022, I can change it to April 8 when we get closer with no penalty, right? If I do change afterwards, do I lose those terms, can I cancel after the change and get a full refund? Same whether it is paid or award?

Al

Delta told me the 72 hour rule and $150 redeposit fee returns starting May 1. Is that incorrect?

Dave

Dan, I’m going to wait until April 31st, I still have 1 more day šŸ˜›

lakewood34

delta did not extend the waiver for basic economy but it did extend the waiver for tickets originating out if north america

Eliyahu

Is it possible to book a ticket with a 10 hour connection and then call the airline to move up the second flight with 3 days?

ckmk47

United. award ticket. originating in Europe.
Will it be refundable / changeable without fees?
Chart indicates no. Is that correct?

Asks

Booking elal via Qantas, are those award fully tickets refundable?

Avi

My experience, yes

Od

what about basic economy award tickets (domestic and international) can you cancel and redeposit miles for free for all airlines?

meir GREEN

HI can you update ua policy on award travel
specifically to Israel

L

Thanks! I was looking for this post!

L

United is not giving Electronic Travel Certificates anymore šŸ™

Bwg

Is there an sms number for JetBlue?
Will they make an exception to the $100 change fee on basic economy due to corona?

Danfan+

I got 7 FFC from UA, is there any way to change it to a ETC?
Will HUCA help?

Burt

Delta flight booked a few weeks ago using UR-basic economy. Does this update apply? Called Delta multiple times, and the agents told me no such thing. Does anyone have more info or the source for the update? Ty!

Gary

Dan, I have a United paid economy flight that I don’t want to take. Can I change to a fully-refundable ticket for a flight at some later date, cancel, and get my money back? Thanks.

Emmes

I have the same question, do you know the answer?

HelpMe

Any update post for current free changes or cancelations?

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