Airline Fees
Flight Change & Cancellation Fees 2026
American, Delta, and United all waived change fees on standard fares in 2020 and have not reinstated them. Basic Economy fares on all carriers still prohibit changes. Southwest remains the only major US carrier with no Basic Economy product at all.
FlightReservationsDesk · Sourced from airline customer service pages · Updated June 2026
Change & Cancellation Policies by Airline
| Airline | Change Fee | Cancel Policy |
|---|---|---|
| American Airlines | No fee (non-BE domestic/intl) | Credit issued (non-BE) |
| Delta Air Lines | No fee (non-BE all routes) | eCredit issued |
| United Airlines | No fee (non-BE domestic/intl) | Future flight credit |
| Southwest Airlines | No fee — any fare | Travel credit issued |
| JetBlue | No fee (Blue/Blue Extra/Mint) | Travel bank credit |
| Alaska Airlines | No fee (non-Saver fares) | Travel credit |
| Spirit Airlines | $69+ (varies by timing) | $69+ or travel credit |
| Frontier Airlines | $99 (standard) or free with bundle | $99 or credit with bundle |
Policies apply to tickets purchased directly from the airline. Third-party bookings may have different terms. Always verify with your airline before cancelling.
The 24-Hour Free Cancellation Rule
US DOT regulations require all airlines to offer either:
- Full cash refund within 24 hours of booking (if the flight is at least 7 days away), OR
- A 24-hour hold at the quoted price with no payment required
This applies regardless of the fare type — even Basic Economy. If you book and immediately realize you made an error, cancel within 24 hours for a full refund. Source: US DOT
How to Avoid Flight Change Fees
Avoid Basic Economy on all carriers
Basic Economy saves $20–$50 upfront but eliminates all flexibility. If there is any chance your plans change, book standard economy.
Book directly with the airline
Third-party bookings (Expedia, Google Flights) follow the platform's change policy, which can differ from the airline's own policy. Booking direct gives you the most flexibility.
Use Southwest when itinerary is uncertain
Southwest's no-fee change policy applies to all fares. For business trips or events where cancellation is possible, Southwest is the lowest-risk choice.
Consider travel insurance for expensive trips
For international or premium-cabin itineraries over $800, a cancel-for-any-reason policy (5–10% of trip cost) can protect against losing the full ticket value.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Do airlines still charge change fees?
- The three largest US airlines — American, Delta, and United — eliminated change fees on standard domestic and international fares in 2020. Basic Economy fares still do not permit changes on most carriers.
- Can I get a full cash refund if I cancel my flight?
- Only on fully refundable fares or if the airline cancels the flight. Standard non-refundable fares issue a travel credit. Business Select on Southwest and first class on legacy carriers are typically fully refundable.
- What is the 24-hour cancellation rule?
- US DOT rules require airlines to allow cancellation within 24 hours of booking for a full refund, as long as the flight is at least 7 days away. This applies to all US domestic and international flights.
- What happens to travel credits if I never use them?
- Policies vary: Delta eCredits have no expiry. American and United credits typically expire 1 year from the original ticket date. Southwest credits never expire. Always check your specific credit before assuming it is still valid.
- Is travel insurance worth it for flight changes?
- It depends on the fare and situation. For non-refundable long-haul or expensive itineraries, travel insurance that covers cancellation for any reason can be worth the 5–10% premium. For cheap domestic trips, usually not.
Need to change or cancel a flight?
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Written by FlightReservationsDesk Research Team
US travel research team · airline policy & airfare specialists · 10+ years
Last updated:
Content on FlightReservationsDesk is independently researched. Affiliate disclosure.