Delta, American Eliminate Domestic Change Fees

Just one day after United Airlines eliminated most domestic change fees, Delta and American did the same.

—

When one of the Big 3 airlines does something, positive or negative, it seems inevitable that the others will follow. It didn’t take long this time, and we’re happy to report that the news is all good.

Following United’s stunning move to eliminate change fees, Delta and American have quickly matched their competitor. They will remove most domestic change fees going forward, and both airlines are waiving all change fees (due to COVID-19) through the end of the year.

American Goes a Step Further

AA Eliminates Short-Haul International Change Fees

Like United, American eliminated domestic change fees for all but their Basic Economy product. But that’s not all. American also eliminated change fees on short-haul international routes. As of today, the airline is permanently waiving change fees for tickets booked to the following destinations:

• United States
• Puerto Rico
• U.S. Virgin Islands
• Canada
• Mexico
• Caribbean

United and Delta are (for now) eliminating change fees on just the domestic flights — United States, Puerto Rico and U.S Virgin Islands.

Another AA Enhancement: Keep Your Full Ticket Value

American will also let its customers keep the full value of their tickets. That is, if your new itinerary costs less than what you first booked, you’ll get a voucher for the difference. Of course, you’ll pay the fare difference if your new itinerary costs more.

I’m looking for a catch here, but I’m not finding one. It appears that American will now let customers do what I’ve done for years with car rentals and hotels. I’ll book at one price, but check back to see if the price goes down. If it does, I’ll just cancel and book a new reservation. I wouldn’t blame AA for pocketing the fare difference on a lower-priced ticket, simply to prevent this practice. But give American credit; they’re going all in on a customer-friendly policy change.

AAdvantage Award Travel

American will introduce its new change fee policy to AAdvantage award travel bookings, as well. Domestic and short-haul international awards will not be subject to change or mileage reinstatement fees, saving customers up to $125.

Free Same-Day Standby Starts October 1, 2020

United Airlines will offer its customers free same-day standby starting January 1, 2021. American is doing the same thing, but going three months earlier. AA will offer free same-day standby starting October 1, 2020.

AA Offering More Basic Economy Options

I wrote yesterday that United would likely sell more standard economy tickets and fewer Basic Economy tickets with their policy change. Without change fees, the standard economy ticket becomes a much better option, dollar for dollar, than basic economy.

So what’s American doing with Basic Economy? They are taking steps to make the product more appealing. The positive changes come with a price, but starting October 1st, customers can buy a variety of enhancements:

• Upgrades
• Priority Boarding
• Main Cabin Extra

American AAdvantage elites who book Basic Economy fares will have access to their usual elite benefits. But starting January 1, 2021, they will no longer earn elite qualifying miles/dollars/segments toward future status.

Delta Air Lines Holds Back

Delta is eliminating domestic change fees in all fare classes except its Basic Economy product, matching United Airlines. The new policy applies to flights in the Continental United States, Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Delta Will Let You Keep the Full Ticket Value

Delta is also letting its customers keep the full value of their ticket, unlike United. For example, if the original ticket costs $400 and the new booking costs $300, customers will receive a $100 flight credit toward another booking. If the new fare is more expensive, then customers will pay the difference.

Delta Not Offering Free Standby

Delta didn’t bite on United’s free same-day standby policy, which will take effect January 1st. The carrier already offers free same-day standby to its Diamond, Platinum and Gold Medallion members. They charge all other passengers a $75 fee once cleared for their requested flight.

Alaska, Hawaiian, and JetBlue

It will be difficult, if not impossible, for Alaska, Hawaiian and JetBlue to keep their change fees intact.

UPDATE: On September 1st, Alaska Airlines announced they would drop all change fees permanently. The new policy covers all fares except Saver (their version of basic economy) and applies to domestic and international travel.

All three airlines are, of course, currently waiving change and cancellation fees due to the pandemic.

But in normal times, JetBlue charges a change fee of up to $200. Mosaic elites in its True Blue loyalty program already don’t pay change fees on most fares (except Blue Basic).

Hawaiian charges a $30 change fee for interisland travel changes, and as much as $300 for other routes.

Alaska Airlines’ change fee was $125, with fees waived for some of its higher-tier Mileage Plan members: MVP Gold and MVP Gold 75k.

It’s worth noting that the elite change fee waivers on Alaska and JetBlue are a nice, money-saving benefit. After experiencing the wonders of flight flexibility in 2020 (thanks to the Covid-19 change fee waivers), I was looking forward to gaining Alaska MVP Gold. No more change fees, ever. But with the end of change fees for everyone, my question is this: Will Alaska and JetBlue replace this elite benefit with… something else? It’s hard to say.

Final Thoughts

The dominoes started falling remarkably fast. Delta and American have matched United and are eliminating change fees, effective now. Alaska has followed, and JetBlue cannot be far behind. Hawaiian Airlines is a bit more insulated from competition, but I suspect they’ll eliminate domestic change fees, as well. It’s just a matter of when.

Covid-19 has given us a lot of bad news in travel. But major upheaval is once again a chance for the airline industry to re-invent itself. The elimination of change fees is a welcome change, and I can only hope that this new policy will be expanded throughout the airlines’ entire networks.

—

Photos: Shutterstock