Book basic economy flights by this date to avoid rebooking fees if your plans change.
One of the best things airlines did during the pandemic was to get rid of date-change fees on all new bookings. But with vaccination rates ramping up and travel purchases surging, some of that flexibility may soon be ending. Here’s what you need to know and how to take advantage of a unique opportunity.
Change fees for main economy are gone permanently
Pre-pandemic, if you wanted to change the dates of a flight you’d booked, it would cost anywhere from $100 to $750 to do so, in addition to any fare difference. Grrrr.
But beginning late last year, U.S. airlines across the board—except budget airlines like Spirit—announced they were getting rid of change fees on all bookings aside from basic economy. This new policy is permanent, so if you don’t book basic economy fares, ignore the rest of this post.
Change fees for basic economy are gone temporarily
Airlines also scrapped change fees on basic economy bookings, but only temporarily. Right now, all new bookings on Alaska, American, Delta, Hawaiian, JetBlue, and United—even basic economy—automatically include free date changes, so long as you purchase by the end of March.
(For the record, Southwest hasn’t and still doesn’t charge change fees on any of their tickets.)
A rare “heads you win, tails you win, too” opportunity
March 31 is only three weeks away. And cheap summer flights—likely gone within a month or two—are still plentiful right now.
If you’re hoping to travel this summer or fall, booking by March 31 ensures you have date flexibility in addition to a cheap fare.
-If things look good by your trip date, then great! You got a bona fide cheap flight.
-If things don’t look good by your trip date, no worries. You can push your trip back a few months without having to pay a penalty.
Think of it as booking flights in pencil, not in pen. A unique opportunity to lock in a cheap fare with date flexibility if necessary. After March 31 you’ll still be able to do this, but only if you book main economy or above; if you book basic economy, it’ll cost you a bit more to change your travel dates.
Things to remember
-No matter the cabin, free changes are NOT the same as free cancellations. You can change the dates, but you can’t get a refund.
-While there’s no change penalty, if your new flight is more expensive, you will have to pay the fare difference.
-If your new flight is cheaper, most airlines—United is a notable exception—will credit you the difference with a travel voucher.
The March 31 deadline could get pushed back once again—as it has throughout the pandemic—don’t count on it. Airlines execs have said all along once new bookings are on the rise, free date-changes on basic economy tickets will be eliminated. Flight bookings have increased this month and last, reaching new highs since the pandemic began. So if you’re hoping to travel this summer or fall via basic economy, book before March 31 for maximum date flexibility.
Twist’s Take: Book basic economy flights by March 31 to take advantage of no change fees.
