Flight Date Change Guide
How to review whether your fare allows date changes, compare the final cost, and confirm the change with the airline or issuing agency.
Rescheduling Your Travel Dates
Changing a flight date depends on the airline, fare, route, issuing channel and timing. Some fares have no separate change fee, but fare difference, taxes or added services may still apply. Basic or promotional fares often have tighter restrictions, so review your ticket rules before paying.
Reschedule Fee Classes
Basic or promotional fares
Restrictions vary
These fares often have the most limits. Some do not allow voluntary changes after the applicable window; others allow changes only with fees or fare difference.
Standard fares
Fare difference may apply
Many airlines allow changes on standard fares under specific conditions. Even when the change fee is zero, the new flight may cost more.
Flexible or premium fares
More flexible, not always zero cost
These fares may offer better change conditions, but rules still depend on the ticket, route and availability.
How to Change Your Flight Date
Check Ticket Restrictions
Open the booking and review your fare rules. Check whether the ticket was issued by the airline or by an agency.
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 the total cost
Before accepting the change, review any change fee, fare difference, taxes, added services and any credit that may be generated.
Verify Updated Itinerary
Check that you received the updated confirmation and review dates, times, airports, seats, baggage and ticket number.
Airline Date Change Policies
American Airlines
Review the applicable conditions for American Airlines before changing the date. Fare difference, taxes, fees or restrictions may apply depending on the ticket.
United Airlines
Review the applicable conditions for United Airlines before changing the date. Fare difference, taxes, fees or restrictions may apply depending on the ticket.
Delta Air Lines
Review the applicable conditions for Delta Air Lines before changing the date. Fare difference, taxes, fees or restrictions may apply depending on the ticket.
Southwest Airlines
Review the applicable conditions for Southwest Airlines before changing the date. Fare difference, taxes, fees or restrictions may apply depending on the ticket.
Alaska Airlines
Review the applicable conditions for Alaska Airlines before changing the date. Fare difference, taxes, fees or restrictions may apply depending on the ticket.
JetBlue Airways
Review the applicable conditions for JetBlue Airways before changing the date. Fare difference, taxes, fees or restrictions may apply depending on the ticket.
British Airways
Review the applicable conditions for British Airways before changing the date. Fare difference, taxes, fees or restrictions may apply depending on the ticket.
Lufthansa Airlines
Review the applicable conditions for Lufthansa Airlines before changing the date. Fare difference, taxes, fees or restrictions may apply depending on the ticket.
Qatar Airways
Review the applicable conditions for Qatar Airways before changing the date. Fare difference, taxes, fees or restrictions may apply depending on the ticket.
Singapore Airlines
Review the applicable conditions for Singapore Airlines before changing the date. Fare difference, taxes, fees or restrictions may apply depending on the ticket.
Emirates Airways
Review the applicable conditions for Emirates Airways before changing the date. Fare difference, taxes, fees or restrictions may apply depending on the ticket.
Turkish Airlines
Review the applicable conditions for Turkish Airlines before changing the date. Fare difference, taxes, fees or restrictions may apply depending on the ticket.
Korean Air
Review the applicable conditions for Korean Air before changing the date. Fare difference, taxes, fees or restrictions may apply depending on the ticket.
Air France
Review the applicable conditions for Air France before changing the date. Fare difference, taxes, fees or restrictions may apply depending on the ticket.
Air Canada
Review the applicable conditions for Air Canada before changing the date. Fare difference, taxes, fees or restrictions may apply depending on the ticket.
Hawaiian Airlines
Review the applicable conditions for Hawaiian Airlines before changing the date. Fare difference, taxes, fees or restrictions may apply depending on the ticket.
SkyWest Airlines
Review the applicable conditions for SkyWest Airlines before changing the date. Fare difference, taxes, fees or restrictions may apply depending on the ticket.
ANA All Nippon Airways
Review the applicable conditions for ANA All Nippon Airways before changing the date. Fare difference, taxes, fees or restrictions may apply depending on the ticket.
Cathay Pacific Airways
Review the applicable conditions for Cathay Pacific Airways before changing the date. Fare difference, taxes, fees or restrictions may apply depending on the ticket.
Japan Airlines
Review the applicable conditions for Japan Airlines before changing the date. Fare difference, taxes, fees or restrictions may apply depending on the ticket.
Hainan Airlines
Review the applicable conditions for Hainan Airlines before changing the date. Fare difference, taxes, fees or restrictions may apply depending on the ticket.
Frontier Airlines
Review the applicable conditions for Frontier Airlines before changing the date. Fare difference, taxes, fees or restrictions may apply depending on the ticket.
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
Review the applicable conditions for KLM Royal Dutch Airlines before changing the date. Fare difference, taxes, fees or restrictions may apply depending on the ticket.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a 'fare difference'?
Fare difference is the difference between the price that applies to your original ticket and the price of the new flight at the time of change. Even when the change fee is zero, fare difference, taxes or added services may still apply.
Can I get a refund if the new flight is cheaper?
It depends on the airline, fare and payment method. Some fares may create travel credit; others do not refund the difference or apply specific rules. Confirm the answer on the official page before accepting the change.
Can I change my flight date same-day?
It depends on the airline, route, fare, status and availability. Some airlines offer same-day confirmed change or standby, but conditions and charges are not universal.