Flight Date Change Guide
How to reschedule your flight dates, compare airline date change fees, and navigate rules easily.
Rescheduling Your Travel Dates
Rescheduling travel dates is one of the most common flight modifications. While major U.S. legacy carriers have eliminated date change fees for standard economy and premium fares, you must still pay the fare difference if the new flight is more expensive. Basic Economy tickets remain highly restricted.
Reschedule Fee Classes
Basic Economy Rescheduling
Not Allowed / High Fee
The most restrictive ticket type. Rescheduling is generally prohibited, or requires purchasing a new ticket.
Main Cabin & Standard Economy
$0 Fee + Fare Difference
Flexible standard tickets. Change fee is $0 on major US carriers; only the fare difference applies.
Business & First Class
$0 Fee + Fare Difference
Highly flexible tickets. No fees, and easy date changes online or at the gate.
How to Change Your Flight Date
Check Ticket Restrictions
Log into the airline portal to verify if your ticket allows date changes. Note if you have a Basic Economy fare.
Search for New Travel Dates
Check the price of the flight on your new preferred date. Compare it to your original ticket price to estimate the fare difference.
Confirm and Pay Fare Difference
Confirm the change online or by calling support. Pay the fare difference (and change fee if applicable) to complete the change.
Verify Updated Itinerary
Ensure you receive a new confirmation email with your updated flight dates, seat selections, and e-ticket numbers.
Airline Date Change Policies
American Airlines
No change fees for standard main cabin and premium fares. Only pay the fare difference.
United Airlines
No change fees for standard main cabin and premium fares. Only pay the fare difference.
Delta Air Lines
No change fees for standard main cabin and premium fares. Only pay the fare difference.
Southwest Airlines
No change fees for standard main cabin and premium fares. Only pay the fare difference.
Alaska Airlines
No change fees for standard main cabin and premium fares. Only pay the fare difference.
JetBlue Airways
No change fees for standard main cabin and premium fares. Only pay the fare difference.
British Airways
No change fees for standard main cabin and premium fares. Only pay the fare difference.
Lufthansa Airlines
No change fees for standard main cabin and premium fares. Only pay the fare difference.
Qatar Airways
No change fees for standard main cabin and premium fares. Only pay the fare difference.
Singapore Airlines
No change fees for standard main cabin and premium fares. Only pay the fare difference.
Emirates Airways
No change fees for standard main cabin and premium fares. Only pay the fare difference.
Turkish Airlines
No change fees for standard main cabin and premium fares. Only pay the fare difference.
Korean Air
No change fees for standard main cabin and premium fares. Only pay the fare difference.
Air France
No change fees for standard main cabin and premium fares. Only pay the fare difference.
Air Canada
No change fees for standard main cabin and premium fares. Only pay the fare difference.
Hawaiian Airlines
No change fees for standard main cabin and premium fares. Only pay the fare difference.
Spirit Airlines
High date change fees. Basic tickets cannot be modified.
SkyWest Airlines
No change fees for standard main cabin and premium fares. Only pay the fare difference.
ANA All Nippon Airways
No change fees for standard main cabin and premium fares. Only pay the fare difference.
Cathay Pacific Airways
No change fees for standard main cabin and premium fares. Only pay the fare difference.
Japan Airlines
No change fees for standard main cabin and premium fares. Only pay the fare difference.
Hainan Airlines
No change fees for standard main cabin and premium fares. Only pay the fare difference.
Frontier Airlines
High date change fees. Basic tickets cannot be modified.
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
No change fees for standard main cabin and premium fares. Only pay the fare difference.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a 'fare difference'?
A fare difference is the cost difference between your original flight and the new flight you want to book. If your original ticket cost $300 and the new flight costs $450, you must pay the $150 difference, even if the airline has a '$0 change fee' policy.
Can I get a refund if the new flight is cheaper?
It depends on the airline. Major carriers like American, United, and Delta will issue the difference as a future travel credit (travel voucher). Stricter international carriers and budget airlines may forfeit the difference.
Can I change my flight date same-day?
Yes, many airlines offer 'same-day confirmed' changes for a flat fee (usually $75, or free for elite status members), which allows you to switch to an earlier or later flight on the same day if seats are available.