Delta Has Dropped Most International Change Fees

Delta has dropped most international change fees, mirroring a similar move by American Airlines. We’re just waiting on United. Get the details.

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This week, Delta Air Lines dropped most international change fees. The move follows American Airlines, which eliminated most international change fees just last month.

Earlier this year, most U.S. carriers dropped their domestic change fees in what turned out to be a remarkable week for the industry. This appears like an obvious follow-up move. At some point, I suspect change fees will become the exclusive domain of ultra low cost carriers and the cheapest Basic Economy fares.

Excluding Basic Economy and…

As with every other airline, Delta is specifically NOT eliminating change fees on Basic Economy tickets. These are the cheapest tickets available; and in exchange for that lower fare, your Basic Economy ticket cannot be changed. At least in normal, non-pandemic times. Currently, Delta is allowing changes and waiving change fees on Basic Economy fares. The waiver covers all tickets purchased through March 30, 2021.

In addition, Delta has eliminated international change fees only for itineraries originating in North America. This is a bit more restrictive than American Airlines, which includes the whole of the Americas in its new policy — both North and South America.

Hello, United?

United Airlines started all this when they eliminated domestic change fees at the end of August. But thus far, the airline has been quiet about its plans for international change fees. I expect United to make an announcement soon. The only question is whether or not they will match Delta and AA, or go one step further. Maybe they drop change fees for all international itineraries, not just those originating in North America.

United still has some time to make an announcement. They have already have change fee waivers in place for any tickets purchased through December 31, 2020. I expect we’ll hear something before the end of the year.

Final Thoughts

Delta Air Lines has eliminated most international change fees. The new policy applies to all ticket purchases, except Basic Economy fares and any itineraries NOT originating in North America.

I’ve previously written about the business strategy at play here. Hotel and car rental companies have followed a similar strategy for years. They offer a choice:

• A less expensive, but non-changeable and non-refundable rate
• A somewhat more expensive rate that allows cancellations and changes.

The airlines are now offering that same choice. Pick an unchangeable Basic Economy fare, or pay a bit more for the flexibility of a standard main cabin fare. Given these choices, I’m going to pay for the extra flexibility — a flexibility that now comes without onerous change fees.

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