Glossary
Definition: A fee charged by airlines to modify a booking after purchase — typically applied to non-refundable fares. Most major US airlines eliminated change fees on most international tickets in 2020-2021, though some restrictions returned in 2024-2025 on the deepest discount fare buckets.
Last updated
Term at a glance
| Term | Change Fee |
|---|---|
| One-liner | A fee charged by airlines to modify a booking after purchase — typically applied to non-refundable fares. Most major US airlines eliminated change fees on most international… |
| Where it matters | Premium-cabin booking decisions, fare-rules interpretation, airline-product comparison. |
| Related concepts | Refundable Fare · Fare Class · Consolidator Fare · Fare Combinability · Endorsement |
| Last verified | 2026-05-07 |
Change fees were a significant friction in airline ticketing for decades, with non-refundable fares typically charging $150-450 per change plus any fare difference for the new dates. The COVID-era restructuring eliminated most change fees on US carriers, dramatically improving consumer flexibility.
Current change fee landscape (2026): - **United, Delta, American**: no change fees on Main Cabin and above for most international and domestic routes - **JetBlue, Southwest**: no change fees (Southwest historically never charged them; JetBlue eliminated them 2020) - **Basic Economy fares**: change fees still apply on the deepest discount fare buckets — typically $150-200 for changes - **International carriers**: change fee policies vary widely; many European and Asian carriers retain $150-450 fees on standard fares
What still applies even when "no change fee": - **Fare difference**: if your new dates have a higher fare, you pay the difference. If the new fare is lower, most carriers do NOT refund the difference (you just lock in the new dates at the same total cost) - **Same-day standby/confirmed change fees**: separate from voluntary change fees, often $75-100 - **Award ticket change rules**: typically still have fees ($75-150 per ticket) even when cash tickets are fee-free
For consolidator and bulk fares: - **Most consolidator business class fares are non-refundable** but allow voluntary changes for a fee (typically $200-450) - **Some net-fare contracts have stricter change rules** than the equivalent published fare - **Always confirm change conditions at booking** — the wholesale-fare flexibility tradeoff is the price you pay for the discount
The practical impact: for travelers with typical date flexibility, the post-2020 elimination of change fees on most US-carrier published fares is a significant value improvement. For consolidator fare buyers, the change-fee tradeoff remains relevant and should be factored into the booking decision.
In booking practice
At a Glance
| Term | Quick definition | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Carrier Surcharge (YQ) | A cash-fee component charged by certain carriers on award redemptions, on top of government taxes and the… | Read |
| Chauffeur Drive | Chauffeur drive is a complimentary ground transfer service offered by select airlines to first and business… | Read |
| Cabin Crew | Cabin crew (also called flight attendants) are airline employees responsible for passenger safety, service,… | Read |
| Circadian Rhythm | Circadian rhythm is the body’s natural 24-hour internal clock that regulates sleep-wake cycles, hormone… | Read |
| Business Class | Business class is a premium cabin on commercial airlines positioned between first class and economy. It… | Read |
| Club Suite (British Airways) | British Airways' refreshed business class product, replacing the previous Club World cabin. Features 1-2-1… | Read |
Related Terms
A cash-fee component charged by certain carriers on award redemptions, on top of government taxes and the mileage cost. Carrier surcharges (often coded YQ on tickets) reflect fuel-cost recovery in the historic IATA fare construction; the actual fee rarely correlates with current fuel prices in 2026.
Chauffeur drive is a complimentary ground transfer service offered by select airlines to first and business class passengers, providing a luxury car and driver to take you to or from the airport.
Cabin crew (also called flight attendants) are airline employees responsible for passenger safety, service, and comfort during flights. Business and first class cabins have dedicated crew members providing personalised service.
Circadian rhythm is the body’s natural 24-hour internal clock that regulates sleep-wake cycles, hormone release, and other physiological processes. Long-haul air travel disrupts this rhythm, causing jet lag.
Business class is a premium cabin on commercial airlines positioned between first class and economy. It typically offers lie-flat seats, priority boarding, lounge access, enhanced meals and drinks, larger baggage allowance, and superior service.
British Airways' refreshed business class product, replacing the previous Club World cabin. Features 1-2-1 reverse herringbone configuration with full sliding doors, direct aisle access from every seat, and a 23-inch IFE screen.
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