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    These Are the Airline Change Fees You Need To Know About in 2020

    Published/Updated: Jul 3, 2025 · Erica Ho · 1 minute read

    Alan Light / Flickr

    Huh. Is it Monday and did everyone change their change fee system. Basically, American, Alaska, Delta, Hawaiian and United all announced that they would be ending change fees for the foreseeable future.

    To be entirely honest, I'm still not quite sure if we should be cheering with glee for a *much needed* change in the overhaul in the airline system, or if it's time to start raking my grave....let's stay positive! Think of all the things that could go right! 😅

    I bet you there was some big secret meeting between the 3 CEOs, cause it would have needed board approval, and the announcements would have been needed to be timed *just* so. Totally not a coincidence. (Did they draw straws on who would get to announce first? Rocks, scissors, paper?)

    There is still some change fees associated with Basic Economy fares, so pay close attention to the fine print. On top of that, the fee waivers are mostly for domestic travel. This is not a get-out-of-jail-free card, nor does it mean changes won't incur a fare difference.

    For what it's worth, some same-day change fees have been eliminated, and for SOME airlines, they are still a great trick for avoiding the change fee.

    In true fashion, we've spelled out what you need to know about domestic, international, special fare and any other extenuating change waivers for this year.

    Airline Domestic International 2020
    Alaska $0 within Alaska;
    $125 otherwiseStarting January 1, 2021, the change fee will only apply to Saver fares.
    $125

    Starting January 1, 2021, the change fee will only apply to Saver fares.

    Change fees waived for all tickets booked through December 31
    American $0;
    $200 for Basic Economy
    Up to $750 Change fees waived for all tickets booked through December 31
    Delta $0;
    $200 for Basic Economy
    Starting at $2001 Change fees waived for all tickets booked through December 31
    Frontier $0 for changes 60 days out;
    $79 for changes 59-14 days out;
    $0 for changes 13 days or less
    Change fees waived for all tickets booked through September 30
    Hawaiian2 $0 for island travel;
    $200 for North America in Main Cabin Basic
    $0 Change fees waived for all tickets booked through December 31
    JetBlue $75 for fares up to $99;
    $100 for fares up to $149;
    $150 for fares up to $199;
    $200 for fares $200+
    $75 for fares up to $99;
    $100 for fares up to $149;
    $150 for fares up to $199;
    $200 for fares $200+
    Change fees waived for all tickets booked through October 15
    Southwest* $0 $0 $0
    United $0;
    $200 for Basic Economy
    $150-$400 Change fees waived for all tickets booked through December 31

    2 footnotes

    1. The airline representative did not indicate what the cap on change fees was. ↩
    2. Change fees only apply to Main Cabin Basic. This fare is not available for island or international flights. ↩
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    TL;DR

    American, Alaska, Delta, Hawaiian and United are ending most change fees. For the most part, it does not apply to the cheapest fare and/or international travel.

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    Erica Ho

    Erica Ho

    Erica Ho is a former reporter for TIME in Hong Kong and former geek at Gizmodo and Lifehacker. Her work has appeared in CNN, Yahoo!, MSN, Mashable, Travel + Leisure, Conde Nast Traveler and Quartz to name a few places.

    The good ol' days! I remember creeping as a former The good ol' days! I remember creeping as a former expat, and honestly, stumbling into the most random places as a traveler  😅 

It is not every day you stumble into someone else's living room for a private jazz concert, and if you happen to be down in Mexico City, check out @laa_esquina (send a DM!). 

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