Guide · Flight changes
How to change or cancel a flight: airline policies and your refund rights
By the TSA Wait Times team · Updated · Published June 2026
The airline change fee landscape has shifted dramatically since 2020 — most major carriers eliminated fees on standard economy and above. But basic economy fares remain rigid, and the refund rules when the airline cancels vs when you cancel are very different.
Change and cancel fees by airline (2026)
Southwest — no fees on any fare
No change or cancellation fees, ever — all fares can be changed or cancelled for free. Cancelled flights receive a travel credit valid for 12 months. If you book a refundable Anytime fare, you get a full cash refund to your original payment method.
Delta
| Fare class | Change fee | Cancel outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Main Cabin, Comfort+, Premium Select, Delta One | None | eCredit for fare value |
| Basic Economy | Not changeable | Not cancellable (24-hr rule applies) |
| Refundable fares | None | Full cash refund |
If you cancel and rebook a cheaper Delta flight, you keep the difference as an eCredit.
United
| Fare class | Change fee | Cancel outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Economy, Premium Economy, Business, First | None | Travel credit |
| Basic Economy | Not changeable | Not cancellable (24-hr rule applies) |
| Refundable fares | None | Full cash refund |
Fare difference still applies if the new flight costs more.
American
| Fare class | Change fee | Cancel outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Main Cabin, Premium Economy, Business, First | None | Trip credit |
| Basic Economy | Not changeable | Not cancellable (24-hr rule applies) |
| Refundable fares | None | Full cash refund |
Alaska
- Saver fares: no changes or cancellations
- Main Cabin and above: no change fees
JetBlue
- Blue Basic: no changes or cancellations
- Blue and above: no change fees
Frontier & Allegiant — fees still apply
Frontier charges change fees of $75–$99 per person on most fares. Front-loaded bundles purchased at booking may include free changes — check at purchase. Allegiant works similarly: fees apply by default, and trip protection add-ons provide flexibility. Neither airline follows the no-fee model of the legacy carriers.
The 24-hour rule — your universal out
DOT regulations require all US airlines to allow passengers to cancel within 24 hours of booking for a full cash refund — with no fees — as long as the flight is at least 7 days away.
This applies to every fare class, including basic economy. If you book a non-refundable ticket and change your mind within 24 hours, cancel immediately for a full cash refund. This is your single most powerful protection as a passenger.
Scope of the rule
Applies to all flights booked directly with the airline. Most OTAs (Expedia, Kayak, Google Flights) also pass through the 24-hour rule, but booking directly with the airline is always the safest approach — there is no intermediary to navigate.
What happens when the airline changes or cancels your flight
DOT Automatic Refund Rule (effective October 2024, in force through 2026): Airlines must offer a full cash refund — not a credit — if:
- The airline cancels your flight for any reason
- The airline makes a "significant change": domestic departure or arrival delayed by 3 or more hours, international by 6 or more hours
- Departure or arrival airport changes, connecting airport changes, or a cabin class downgrade
| Refund trigger | Card deadline | Cash / check deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Airline cancellation (any reason) | 7 business days | 20 calendar days |
| Significant change — passenger declines rebooking | 7 business days | 20 calendar days |
Critical: you must ask for the refund
The airline will offer a rebooking first — that is their preference. If you want a cash refund instead, say so explicitly: "I would like a cash refund to my original payment method, not a travel credit." Under DOT rules, they must provide it.
How to actually change or cancel a flight
- Change online:
Go to the airline's website or app → My Trips → find your booking → Change Flight. Select new dates or times. If the new fare is higher, you pay the difference. If lower, most airlines issue a travel credit for the difference.
- Cancel online:
Same path → Cancel Flight. Review the refund terms shown (credit vs cash refund) before confirming. The confirmation screen will tell you what you will receive.
- Call if your itinerary is complicated:
If your booking involves multiple segments, connecting flights, or international routing — call the airline directly. Phone agents have more flexibility and can often find solutions (alternate routings, partner airlines) that the website does not surface.
- Third-party bookings:
If you booked through Expedia, Kayak, Google Flights, or another OTA, you must change or cancel through that OTA — not the airline directly. This is the primary reason to book directly with the airline: direct bookings are always faster and simpler to modify.
Travel insurance and flexible booking options
Travel insurance:
Standard trip cancellation insurance covers cancellations due to covered reasons — illness, death in the family, severe weather, airline bankruptcy. It does notcover changing your mind. Read the policy carefully before buying. "Cancel for any reason" (CFAR) coverage does cover mind-changes, but is a separate, more expensive add-on — typically 10–12% of your total trip cost.
Credit card trip cancellation insurance:
Many premium travel cards include trip cancellation and interruption coverage for covered reasons when you charge the ticket to that card. Cards with meaningful coverage include the Chase Sapphire Reserve, Amex Platinum, and Capital One Venture X — check your specific card's benefit guide for limits and covered reasons.
Refundable fares:
The cleanest solution for uncertain travel. Refundable fares cost more upfront — sometimes significantly — but guarantee a full cash refund if you cancel for any reason, with no documentation required. Worth considering for trips where plans may shift.
Frequently asked questions
Which airlines have no change fees?
Southwest (all fares), Delta (except basic economy), United (except basic economy), American (except basic economy), and Alaska (except Saver). Frontier and Allegiant still charge change fees on most fares.
Can I get a refund if the airline cancels my flight?
Yes — DOT rules require a full cash refund (not just a credit) if the airline cancels your flight or makes a significant change. You must explicitly request the refund rather than accepting the rebooking.
What is the 24-hour rule for flights?
All US airlines must refund your full ticket price if you cancel within 24 hours of booking, as long as the flight is at least 7 days away. This applies to all fare classes including non-refundable basic economy.
Can I change a basic economy ticket?
Generally no — basic economy tickets are the most restrictive fare class and cannot be changed or cancelled at most airlines. The 24-hour cancellation window is the only exception. Southwest is the one airline where all fares are changeable.
Related guides
- What to do when your flight is cancelled — step-by-step: rebooking, cash refund rights, meals and hotel
- Missed connection: what to do — who pays, how to rebook, and when you get a hotel
- Flight delay compensation — US DOT rules and EU EC-261 cash amounts for delayed flights
Data verified . Sources: DOT Automatic Refund Final Rule (Oct 2024); DOT Aviation Consumer Protection — Refunds; DOT Fly Rights; Airline Change & Cancellation Fees (Upgraded Points, 2026).
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