The Most and least flexible U.S. airlines
How US Airlines Respond to Flight Disruptions
Air travel has been quite chaotic thus far this summer as airlines struggle with pandemic-induced staffing shortages that have so far prevented them from meeting surging demand. The result has been routine flight delays and cancellations that make knowing your airline’s change and cancellation policies more important than ever. The team of experts at the online flight deal search system Next Vacay recently dove into some of these policies of each major U.S. airline to determine which ones offer travelers the most and least flexibility at the moment. The research took into account things like change fees, refund options, flight cancellation and travel insurance options. Here’s a look at some of the key policies travelers will want to be familiar with moving forward.
Alaska Airlines
Alaska Airlines doesn’t charge change fees on Main and First Class fares and customers can cancel their flight within 24 hours of purchase to receive a full refund. Keep in mind that no changes are allowed on Alaska’s Saver fares.
Allegiant Air
Like Alaska and others, Allegiant only refunds tickets within 24 hours of purchase. The airline’s change fees are $25 per person, per flight segment. Customers who cancel their flight will be charged a fee of $75 per passenger, per segment and receive a credit after the fee is incurred.
American Airlines
American Airlines doesn’t charge customers change fees on Premium Cabin, Premium Economy or Main Cabin fares. Travelers will need to book a refundable ticket if they want that option and Basic Economy fares are non-refundable and non-changeable.
Delta Air Lines
Delta Air Lines customers don’t have to worry about change fees when they purchase Main Cabin or above for flights originating from North America. Meanwhile, travelers with Basic Economy tickets will receive an e-credit if they need to cancel their flight. Customers with travel insurance flying Delta can protect their prepaid, non-refundable travel expenses if their trip is canceled or interrupted due to a covered reason.
Frontier Airlines
Frontier Airlines doesn’t charge a change fee if it occurs 60 or more days prior to departure. Between seven and 59 days out, the fee is $49 while making a change six days or less to departure costs $79. What’s more, customers may cancel tickets up to 24 hours after the time of purchase for a full refund.
Hawaiian Airlines
There are no change fees for guests who purchase Hawaiian Airlines tickets or redeem HawaiianMiles for Main Cabin or higher fares on any route within the carrier’s network. The airline points out that Main Cabin Basic tickets are not included in the refreshed policy.
JetBlue
There are no change or cancellation fees on most of JetBlue’s fares with the exception of Blue Basic, which is subject to a change fee of $100 for travel within the U.S., Caribbean, Mexico or Central America and $200 for all other routes.
Southwest Airlines
Low-cost carrier Southwest Airlines doesn’t charge any change fees and the airline’s Anytime and Business Select fares are refundable. Customers who cancel a non-refundable ticket will receive a travel fund that they can use toward a future flight.
Spirit Airlines
Spirit Airlines’ ultra-low fares come at the cost of flexibility. The airline does not offer refundable fares and change fees range from free to $99. Customers can also purchase Travel Guard plans to protect their trip and access assistance in the event of a disruption.
United Airlines
United Airlines doesn’t charge any change fees for most economy and premium cabin tickets and offers a 24-hour flexible booking policy. Basic Economy tickets are not eligible for changes but are eligible for a full refund within 24 hours of booking as long as customers completed their purchase one week or more before the original scheduled departure flight.