How Much Does It Cost to Change or Cancel a Flight in 2024?

Alaska Airlines is among many airlines that have permanently eliminated their change and cancellation fees, applying to both standard and first-class fares. However, same-day change fees will still apply.

For standard and first-class flights, same-day confirmed changes incur a $50 fee, while flights entirely within California or Alaska’s shuttle markets will incur a $25 fee. MVP® Gold, MVP® Gold 75K, MVP® Gold 100K members, as well as American AAdvantage ConciergeKey, Executive Platinum and Platinum Pro members, can make free same-day flight changes.

Note that Saver fares cannot be changed.

Be sure to check the Alaska Airlines website for up-to-date information.

Allegiant Air has a stringent change and cancellation policy, which should come as no surprise for an ultra-low-cost carrier. You must change or cancel your flight at least seven days before travel, and Allegiant charges a $25 fee per segment — meaning that the total cost of altering both legs of a roundtrip flight would be $50.

Further, Allegiant won’t refund the difference, nor the carrier charges or any other booking fees, and you’ll instead receive a nonrefundable, nontransferable voucher for future travel up to two years from the original booking date. Within seven days of travel, no changes are allowed and no credit is given unless you purchased Allegiant’s “Trip Flex” add-on at the time of booking.

For the most up-to-date information, see the Allegiant Air website.

American Airlines has revamped many of its change and cancellation fees, allowing much more flexibility than ever before. American Airlines has permanently eliminated its change and cancellation fees for flights within the U.S., Canada, the Caribbean, Central America, Mexico, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

American has also eliminated its change and cancellation fees on international flights originating from North and South America to Asia, Australia, Europe, New Zealand, South America and the United Kingdom. However, if the trip originates outside of North or South America, fees can go up to $400.

Fare differences will apply to tickets that are changed, but if your new booking is cheaper, you’ll receive a travel credit for a future trip.

Same-day flight changes are available on Main Cabin fares starting at $50 and $0 for Business and First Class. Customers can stand by for a same-day flight on flights within the continental U.S., Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands for no charge.

Note, however, that Basic Economy fares cannot be refunded or changed.

For updated information, see the American Airlines website.

Delta Air Lines has revised many of its change and cancellation fees, which previously started at a minimum of $200 per ticket. Basic economy fares aren’t included in this new policy and cannot be changed or canceled. However, there are no change fees for Main Cabin for tickets within the U.S. and Caribbean, as well as for all international travel originating from the U.S. and Canada.

Same-day flight confirmed changes incur a $75 fee. Delta Gold, Platinum and Diamond Medallion members are exempt from all same-day change fees.

For updated information, see the Delta Air Lines website.

Although Frontier Airlines is an ultra-low-cost carrier, it offers a somewhat flexible change and cancellation policy compared to its competitors. Keep in mind that these fees apply per direction, meaning that changing a round-trip flight will incur fees costing double the amount listed below:

• 60 or more days prior to departure: Incur no change fees
• Seven to 59 days prior to departure: $49
• Six days or less prior to departure (including same-day changes): $99

You will be responsible for any additional fare difference. However, if your new itinerary is cheaper than your original flight, you won’t receive a refund for the fare difference. Flight cancellations will be refunded, less applicable fees and charges, as a travel credit.

If you purchased a bundle at the time of booking, you can get credit for your ticket if you cancel more than 24 hours prior to your flight. Bundles also provide other benefits that don’t come with Frontier’s basic offerings, like a carry-on bag, checked bag, seat selection and priority boarding.

For updated information, see the Frontier Airlines website.

Hawaiian Airlines has also dropped many of its change and cancellation fees. You won’t have to pay any change fees for Main Cabin, Extra Comfort, First and Premium tickets or fares booked with HawaiianMiles. Still, you will pay the difference if the new ticket’s price is higher, and no refunds will be issued if the price is less than the original ticket price. Main Cabin Basic tickets cannot be changed or canceled.

Pualani Platinum and Gold members and corporate customers are eligible for same-day standby changes to neighbor island flights for no charge. All other flyers will be unable to wait for standby.

Additional details are available on the Hawaiian Airlines website.

JetBlue doesn’t charge fees for changes on most tickets, but it does charge fees for cancellations. Cancellation fees are $100 per person for travel within the U.S., Caribbean or Central America and $200 for all other fares.

There’s a $75 same-day change fee without paying a fare difference for everyone except Mosaic members.

For Blue Basic fares booked or exchanged on or after March 18, 2024, changes, same-day switches and same-day standby are no longer allowed.

To avoid an additional $25 per person fee for changing or canceling over the phone or through chat, use the self-service option online.

For updated information, see the JetBlue website.

Before the pandemic, Southwest Airlines was the only domestic airline that didn’t charge any change or cancellation fees, and it still doesn’t charge these fees. If you want to change a ticket, you’ll only have to pay the difference in fare. Refunds on canceled flights are given as a travel credit, which can typically be used within one year of the booking date.

If you’re looking for a same-day flight change, it’ll depend on the original ticket purchased. With a Wanna Get Away ticket, a difference in fare may apply if you aren’t an A-List Preferred or A-List Member, but all other fares can access same-day changes for free.

For updated information, see the Southwest website.

In 2024, Spirit Airlines eliminated cancellation and modification fees for flight reservations. But while there is no fee, you will pay the difference in fare, if any. For cancellations that are made more than 24 hours after booking and/or within seven days, you’ll receive a booking credit for the full amount of your fare.

For updated information, see the Spirit Airlines website.

United Airlines has permanently eliminated its change and cancellation fees for Economy, Economy Plus, First, Business and Premium Plus tickets within the U.S. (including Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands), as well as flights from the U.S. to Mexico and the Caribbean and international flights originating in the United States. However, flight changes are not allowed for Basic Economy fares.

For updated information, see United Airlines website.