Change Cancellation fees by airline
Last verified: 2026-08-23No change fee is not the same as free flexibility. Fare differences and restricted entry fares are where the real cost hides.
Best for: This page should help users decide whether the cheapest fare is actually safe to buy when plans are unstable.
Quick check: When your plans might move, compare the flexible fare against the likely change cost before choosing the cheapest fare.
Common way to avoid the fee: The real loophole is avoiding locked fares before you need them, not trying to rescue them after the trip changes.
What to watch: Check 24-hour windows, whether credits are issued instead of refunds, and what Basic or stripped-down fares block.
Flexibility problems usually start with the wrong fare family, so pair this page with the Basic Economy guide, compare United and Frontier, and use the U.S. DOT refund rules reference or EU261 passenger rights reference when the disruption question is about refund rights rather than fare rules.
Published fees on this page: 120
Common situations
The real cost is often not the fee label
A fare can say no change fee and still become expensive once fare difference, credits, or locked restrictions show up.
Low-cost carriers monetize timing and rescue behavior
Frontier, Ryanair, and easyJet are useful because they show how late changes and stripped fares turn flexibility into a paid product.
Legacy carriers still use the cheapest fare as the trapdoor
United, Delta, American, and JetBlue all show versions of the same pattern: the worst flexibility lives in the lowest fare family.
Airline pages to compare next
United is a clean example of non-Basic flexibility versus Basic lockout.
Delta shows how Basic can still carry meaningful change and cancellation pain even on a polished product.
Frontier's timing ladder is one of the clearest examples of change policy as a pricing weapon.
Published fees and sources
| Airline | Amount | Applies to | Region / route | Timing | Conditions | Source | Last verified | Next step |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aer Lingus (EI) | Fee plus fare difference EUR | All fares | All routes | before departure | Flight changes permitted for a fee plus fare difference on Saver fares; Plus and Advantage fares allow changes with fewer restrictions | Source | 2026-08-23 | |
| Aer Lingus (EI) | Not permitted | Saver fares | All routes | after booking | Ticket refunds not permitted on Saver fares except for flight cancellation or qualifying circumstances | Source | 2026-08-23 | |
| Aeroméxico (AM) | Depends on fare family and route USD | All fares | All routes | before departure | Change and cancellation fees depend on fare family and route; Basic fares are generally the most restrictive | Source | 2026-08-23 | |
| Air Astana (KC) | Fare-rule based USD | All fares | All routes | before departure | Rebooking cost depends on fare rules, route, and timing; fare difference may apply | Source | 2026-08-23 | |
| Air Canada (AC) | 0 CAD | Standard and higher fares | Domestic, transborder, international | before departure | No change fee on Standard and higher fares; fare difference applies | Source | 2026-08-23 | |
| Air Canada (AC) | Not permitted | Basic fares | All routes | after 24h | Changes and refunds not permitted on Basic fares except within 24 hours of booking or qualifying circumstances | Source | 2026-08-23 | |
| Air China (CA) | Fare-rule based CNY | All fares | All routes | before departure | Change and cancellation fees depend on fare rules and route; fare difference may apply | Source | 2026-08-23 | |
| Air India (AI) | Depends on fare rules, route, and timing INR | All fares | All routes | before departure | Change and cancellation fees depend on fare rules, route, and timing; fare difference may apply | Source | 2026-08-23 | |
| Air New Zealand (NZ) | Depends on fare family and route NZD | All fares | All routes | before departure | Change and cancellation fees depend on fare family and route; fare difference may apply | Source | 2026-08-23 | |
| AIX Connect / Air India Express (IX) | Fare-rule and timing dependent INR | All fares | All routes | before departure | Change and cancellation fees depend on fare rules and timing; lowest fares are the most restrictive | Source | 2026-08-23 | |
| All Nippon Airways (NH) | Depends on fare rules, route, and ticket type JPY | All fares | All routes | before departure | Change and cancellation fees depend on fare rules, route (domestic vs international), and ticket type; some fares are non-refundable | Source | 2026-08-23 | |
| Asiana Airlines (OZ) | Depends on fare rules and route KRW | All fares | All routes | before departure | Change and cancellation fees depend on fare rules and route; fare difference may apply | Source | 2026-08-23 | |
| Avianca (AV) | Depends on fare family and route USD | All fares | All routes | before departure | Change and cancellation fees depend on fare family and route; fare difference may apply | Source | 2026-08-23 | |
| Batik Air (ID) | Depends on fare rules and route IDR | All fares | All routes | before departure | Change and cancellation fees depend on fare rules and route; fare difference may apply | Source | 2026-08-23 | |
| Cathay Pacific (CX) | Depends on fare family and route HKD | All fares | All routes | before departure | Change and cancellation fees depend on fare family and route; some fares are non-refundable; fare differences may apply | Source | 2026-08-23 | |
| Cebu Pacific (5J) | Fee plus fare difference USD | All fares | All routes | before departure | Flight changes permitted with fee plus fare difference; cancellations generally not permitted except where explicitly allowed | Source | 2026-08-23 | |
| China Airlines (CI) | Depends on fare rules and route TWD | All fares | All routes | before departure | Change and cancellation fees depend on fare rules and route; fare difference may apply | Source | 2026-08-23 | |
| China Eastern Airlines (MU) | Depends on fare rules and route CNY | All fares | All routes | before departure | Change and cancellation fees depend on fare rules and route; fare difference may apply | Source | 2026-08-23 | |
| China Southern Airlines (CZ) | Fare-rule based CNY | All fares | All routes | before departure | Change and cancellation fees depend on fare rules and route; fare difference may apply | Source | 2026-08-23 | |
| Copa Airlines (CM) | Depends on fare family and route USD | All fares | All routes | before departure | Change and cancellation fees depend on fare family and route; fare difference may apply | Source | 2026-08-23 | |
| easyJet (U2) | Fee plus fare difference GBP | All fares | All routes | before departure | Flight changes permitted for a fee plus fare difference; amount varies by route and timing | Source | 2026-08-23 | |
| easyJet (U2) | Not permitted | All fares | All routes | after booking | Ticket refunds not permitted except for flight cancellation or qualifying circumstances | Source | 2026-08-23 | |
| EgyptAir (MS) | Fare-rule based USD | All fares | All routes | before departure | Change and cancellation fees depend on fare rules, ticket type, and route; fare difference may apply | Source | 2026-08-23 | |
| Emirates (EK) | Depends on fare family and route AED | All fares | All routes | before departure | Change and cancellation fees depend on fare family and route; some fares are non-refundable; fare differences may apply | Source | 2026-08-23 | |
| Ethiopian Airlines (ET) | Fare-family and route dependent USD | All fares | All routes | before departure | Change and cancellation fees depend on fare family and route; fare difference may apply | Source | 2026-08-23 | |
| Etihad Airways (EY) | Fare-family and route dependent USD | All fares | All routes | before departure | Change/cancel rules depend on fare, route, timing, and ticket date; Basic/Value are most restrictive. | Source | 2026-08-23 | |
| EVA Air (BR) | Depends on fare rules and route TWD | All fares | All routes | before departure | Change and cancellation fees depend on fare rules and route; fare difference may apply | Source | 2026-08-23 | |
| Garuda Indonesia (GA) | Depends on fare rules and route IDR | All fares | All routes | before departure | Change and cancellation fees depend on fare rules and route; fare difference may apply | Source | 2026-08-23 | |
| Gulf Air (GF) | Fare-rule based USD | All fares | All routes | before departure | Change and cancellation fees depend on fare rules and route; fare difference may apply | Source | 2026-08-23 | |
| Hainan Airlines (HU) | Fare-rule based CNY | All fares | All routes | before departure | Change and cancellation fees depend on fare rules and route; fare difference may apply | Source | 2026-08-23 | |
| Hong Kong Airlines (HX) | Depends on fare rules and timing HKD | All fares | All routes | before departure | Change and cancellation fees depend on fare rules and timing; fare difference may apply | Source | 2026-08-23 | |
| Iberia (IB) | Depends on fare brand and route EUR | All fares | All routes | before departure | Change and cancellation fees depend on fare brand and route; Basic fares are generally the most restrictive; fare difference may apply | Source | 2026-08-23 | |
| Iberia (IB) | Not permitted | Basic fares | All routes | after booking | Refunds not permitted on Basic fares except for flight cancellation or qualifying circumstances | Source | 2026-08-23 | |
| Iberia Express (I2) | Depends on fare and route EUR | All fares | All routes | before departure | Change and cancellation fees depend on fare and route; Basic fares are the most restrictive; fare difference may apply | Source | 2026-08-23 | |
| Iberia Express (I2) | Not permitted | Basic fares | All routes | after booking | Refunds not permitted on Basic fares except for flight cancellation or qualifying circumstances | Source | 2026-08-23 | |
| IndiGo (6E) | Depends on fare rules and timing INR | All fares | All routes | before departure | Change and cancellation fees depend on fare rules and timing before departure | Source | 2026-08-23 | |
| Japan Airlines (JL) | Depends on fare rules and route JPY | All fares | All routes | before departure | Change and cancellation fees depend on fare rules and route (domestic vs international); some fares are non-refundable | Source | 2026-08-23 | |
| Jet2.com (LS) | Fee plus fare difference GBP | All fares | All routes | before departure | Flight changes permitted for a fee plus fare difference; amount varies by route and timing | Source | 2026-08-23 | |
| Jet2.com (LS) | Not permitted | All fares | All routes | after booking | Ticket refunds not permitted except for flight cancellation or qualifying circumstances | Source | 2026-08-23 | |
| Jetstar (JQ) | Fee plus fare difference AUD | All fares | All routes | before departure | Changes permitted for a fee plus fare difference on Starter fares; Starter Plus, Flex, and Max fares allow changes with fewer restrictions | Source | 2026-08-23 | |
| Jetstar (JQ) | Not permitted | Starter fares | All routes | after booking | Refunds not permitted on Starter fares except for flight cancellation or qualifying circumstances | Source | 2026-08-23 | |
| Jetstar Japan (GK) | Fee plus fare difference JPY | All fares | All routes | before departure | Changes permitted for a fee plus fare difference on Starter fares; Starter Plus and Flex fares allow changes with fewer restrictions | Source | 2026-08-23 | |
| Jetstar Japan (GK) | Not permitted | Starter fares | All routes | after booking | Refunds not permitted on Starter fares except for flight cancellation or qualifying circumstances | Source | 2026-08-23 | |
| Kenya Airways (KQ) | Fare-rule based USD | All fares | All routes | before departure | Change and cancellation fees depend on fare rules, ticket type, and route; fare difference may apply | Source | 2026-08-23 | |
| KLM Royal Dutch Airlines (KL) | Depends on fare rules EUR | All fares | All routes | before departure | Changes and refunds depend on ticket type; Basic/Light are more restrictive, Flex is usually most flexible. | Source | 2026-08-23 | |
| Korean Air (KE) | Depends on fare family and route KRW | All fares | All routes | before departure | Change and cancellation fees depend on fare family and route; some fares are non-refundable; fare differences may apply | Source | 2026-08-23 | |
| LATAM Airlines (LA) | Depends on fare family and route USD | All fares | All routes | before departure | Change and cancellation fees depend on fare family and route; Light fares are generally the most restrictive | Source | 2026-08-23 | |
| Malaysia Airlines (MH) | Depends on fare rules and route MYR | All fares | All routes | before departure | Change and cancellation fees depend on fare rules and route; fare difference may apply | Source | 2026-08-23 | |
| Norwegian (DY) | Fee plus fare difference EUR | All fares | All routes | before departure | Flight changes permitted for a fee plus fare difference on LowFare; LowFare+ and Flex fares allow changes with fewer restrictions | Source | 2026-08-23 | |
| Norwegian (DY) | Not permitted | LowFare | All routes | after booking | Ticket refunds not permitted on LowFare except for flight cancellation or qualifying circumstances | Source | 2026-08-23 | |
| Oman Air (WY) | Fare-rule based USD | All fares | All routes | before departure | Change and cancellation fees depend on fare rules and route; fare difference may apply | Source | 2026-08-23 | |
| Philippine Airlines (PR) | Fare-rule based PHP | All fares | All routes | before departure | Change and cancellation fees depend on fare rules and route; fare difference may apply | Source | 2026-08-23 | |
| Qantas Airways (QF) | 100 AUD | Applicable fare types | Domestic Australia | before departure | Change or cancellation fee, excluding fare difference, on many domestic economy and premium economy fares issued on or after 30 July 2025. | Source | 2026-08-23 | |
| Qantas Airways (QF) | Depends on fare rules and route AUD | All fares | All routes | before departure | Change and cancellation fees depend on fare rules and route; some premium cabins may have no change fees or different conditions | Source | 2026-08-23 | |
| Qatar Airways (QR) | Depends on fare family and route QAR | All fares | All routes | before departure | Change and cancellation fees depend on fare family and route; some fares are non-refundable; fare differences may apply | Source | 2026-08-23 | |
| Royal Air Maroc (AT) | Fare-rule based USD | All fares | All routes | before departure | Change and cancellation fees depend on fare rules, ticket type, and route; fare difference may apply | Source | 2026-08-23 | |
| Ryanair (FR) | 45 EUR | All fares | All routes | before departure | Flight change fee per passenger, per flight (online) | Source | 2026-08-23 | |
| Ryanair (FR) | 60 EUR | All fares | All routes | before departure | Flight change fee per passenger, per flight (at airport or call center) | Source | 2026-08-23 | |
| Ryanair (FR) | Not permitted | All fares | All routes | after booking | Ticket refunds not permitted except for flight cancellation or qualifying circumstances | Source | 2026-08-23 | |
| Saudia (Saudi Arabian Airlines) (SV) | Depends on fare family and route USD | All fares | All routes | before departure | Change and cancellation fees depend on fare family and route; fare difference may apply | Source | 2026-08-23 | |
| Singapore Airlines (SQ) | Depends on fare family and route SGD | All fares | All routes | before departure | Change and cancellation fees depend on fare family and route; some fares are non-refundable; fare differences may apply | Source | 2026-08-23 | |
| South African Airways (SA) | Fare-rule based USD | All fares | All routes | before departure | Change and cancellation fees depend on fare rules, ticket type, and route; fare difference may apply | Source | 2026-08-23 | |
| SpiceJet (SG) | Depends on fare rules and timing INR | All fares | All routes | before departure | Change and cancellation fees depend on fare rules and timing; lowest fares are the most restrictive | Source | 2026-08-23 | |
| Spring Airlines (9C) | Fare-product and timing dependent CNY | All fares | All routes | before departure | Change and cancellation fees depend on fare product and timing; lowest fares are the most restrictive | Source | 2026-08-23 | |
| SriLankan Airlines (UL) | Fare-rule based USD | All fares | All routes | before departure | Change and cancellation fees depend on fare rules and route; fare difference may apply | Source | 2026-08-23 | |
| TAP Air Portugal (TP) | Depends on fare family and route EUR | All fares | All routes | before departure | Change and cancellation rules depend on fare family, route, and whether the fare is Discount | Source | 2026-08-23 | |
| TAP Air Portugal (TP) | Not permitted | Discount fares | All routes | after booking | Refunds not permitted on Discount fares except for flight cancellation or qualifying circumstances | Source | 2026-08-23 | |
| Thai Airways (TG) | Fare-rule based THB | All fares | All routes | before departure | Change and cancellation fees depend on fare rules and route; fare difference may apply | Source | 2026-08-23 | |
| Turkish Airlines (TK) | Depends on fare family and route USD | All fares | All routes | before departure | Change, cancellation, refund, and baggage package rules vary by route and fare package | Source | 2026-08-23 | |
| VietJet Air (VJ) | Fee plus fare difference USD | All fares | All routes | before departure | Change fees and fare differences depend on fare family, route, and timing before departure | Source | 2026-08-23 | |
| Vietnam Airlines (VN) | Depends on fare rules and route VND | All fares | All routes | before departure | Change and cancellation fees depend on fare rules and route; fare difference may apply | Source | 2026-08-23 | |
| Virgin Australia (VA) | Depends on fare type AUD | All fares | All routes | before departure | Change and cancellation fees depend on fare type; Lite fares are the most restrictive | Source | 2026-08-23 | |
| Vistara (UK) | Fare-family and route dependent INR | Historical Vistara / current Air India-managed AI 2XXX context | Former Vistara network | archival; current travel uses Air India policy | Old Vistara fare rules are archival; current changes/refunds depend on Air India ticket and fare rules | Source | 2026-08-23 | |
| Viva Aerobus (VB) | Fee plus fare difference USD | All fares | All routes | before departure | Light/Extra allow limited changes without penalty; Smart allows unlimited changes, but fare difference can still apply | Source | 2026-08-23 | |
| Volaris (Y4) | Fee plus fare difference USD | All fares | All routes | before departure | Flight changes permitted with applicable fee plus fare difference; cancellations generally not permitted except where explicitly allowed | Source | 2026-08-23 | |
| Vueling (VY) | Fee plus fare difference EUR | All fares | All routes | before departure | Flight changes may require a fee plus fare difference; TimeFlex allows changes with fewer restrictions. | Source | 2026-08-23 | |
| Vueling (VY) | Not permitted | All fares | All routes | after booking | Ticket refunds not permitted except for flight cancellation or qualifying circumstances | Source | 2026-08-23 | |
| WestJet (WS) | 0 CAD | EconoFlex, Premium, Business | All routes | before departure | No change fee on EconoFlex and higher fares; fare difference applies | Source | 2026-08-23 | |
| WestJet (WS) | Depends on fare bundle and route CAD | Econo fares | All routes | before departure | Change fees apply on Econo fares; amount varies by fare bundle and route; fare difference applies | Source | 2026-08-23 | |
| WestJet (WS) | Not permitted | Most restrictive Econo fares | All routes | after booking | Refunds not permitted on the most restrictive Econo bundles except for flight cancellation or qualifying circumstances | Source | 2026-08-23 | |
| Wizz Air (W6) | 40 EUR | All fares | All routes | more than 14 days before departure | Flight change fee per passenger, per flight (online) | Source | 2026-08-23 | |
| Wizz Air (W6) | 50 EUR | All fares | All routes | within 14 days of departure | Flight change fee per passenger, per flight (online) | Source | 2026-08-23 | |
| Wizz Air (W6) | Not permitted | All fares | All routes | after booking | Ticket refunds not permitted except for flight cancellation or qualifying circumstances | Source | 2026-08-23 | |
| XiamenAir (MF) | Fare-rule based CNY | All fares | All routes | before departure | Change and cancellation fees depend on fare rules and route; fare difference may apply | Source | 2026-08-23 | |
| ZIPAIR Tokyo (ZG) | Fee plus fare difference JPY | All fares | All routes | before departure | Standard fares are generally non-refundable; Flex Biz can return value as a voucher based on cancellation timing | Source | 2026-08-23 | |
| AirAsia (AK) | Fee plus fare difference USD | All fares | All routes | before departure | Changes and cancellations follow the operating carrier fare rules; add-on fees are generally non-refundable/non-transferable | Source | 2026-08-22 | |
| Delta Air Lines (DL) | 0 USD | Economy (non-Basic) | US/Canada/Mexico/Caribbean/Central America | before departure | No change/cancel fee for Classic, Extra, or Refundable tickets originating in the U.S. or Canada; fare difference can apply | Source | 2026-08-22 | |
| Delta Air Lines (DL) | 99 USD | Basic Economy | US/Canada/Mexico/Caribbean/Central America | before departure | Delta Main Basic / Comfort Basic fee for U.S./Canada-origin travel to nearby regions; fare difference can apply | Source | 2026-08-22 | |
| Delta Air Lines (DL) | 0 USD | Economy (non-Basic) | South America/Europe/UK/Africa/Middle East/India/Asia/Pacific | before departure | Change/cancel fee: free | Source | 2026-08-22 | |
| Delta Air Lines (DL) | 199 USD | Basic Economy | South America/Europe/UK/Africa/Middle East/India/Asia/Pacific | before departure | Delta Main Basic / Comfort Basic fee for U.S./Canada-origin long-haul regions; fare difference can apply | Source | 2026-08-22 | |
| Delta Air Lines (DL) | Not permitted | Basic Economy | Ticket date and market dependent | before departure | Changes not permitted (Basic Economy tickets purchased before Nov 6, 2025) | Source | 2026-08-22 | |
| flydubai (FZ) | Fare-type and route dependent USD | All fares | All routes | before departure | Change and cancellation costs depend on fare type, route, timing, and fare difference | Source | 2026-08-22 | |
| Lufthansa (LH) | 199 USD | Economy Light | International (published example context) | before departure | Economy Light international rebooking example: USD 199 plus fare/tax/fee difference, if conditions are met | Source | 2026-08-22 | |
| Scoot (TR) | Fee plus fare difference USD | All fares | All routes | before departure | Flight changes are bundle-specific: Flex includes changes, while Basic/Value/ScootPlus can require fees plus fare difference | Source | 2026-08-22 | |
| American Airlines (AA) | 0 USD | Basic Economy | All routes booked directly with American | within 24 hours of purchase | Within 24 hours, changes or refund cancellation allowed if booked at least 7 days before departure | Source | 2026-08-21 | |
| American Airlines (AA) | Not allowed USD | Basic Economy | Most routes | after 24 hours | After 24 hours, Basic Economy changes/refunds to original payment are not allowed except published exceptions | Source | 2026-08-21 | |
| American Airlines (AA) | Fee may apply USD | Basic Economy / AAdvantage members | American-marketed and operated trips starting in the 50 U.S. states | before first flight departs | AAdvantage members may cancel eligible U.S.-origin Basic Economy for travel credit for a fee before first departure | Source | 2026-08-21 | |
| American Airlines (AA) | 0 USD | Eligible travel-alert itineraries | Alert-specific airports and dates | within published alert window | Severe weather or other uncontrollable events may trigger a no-change-fee travel alert waiver | Source | 2026-08-21 | |
| JetBlue (B6) | 0 USD | Blue / Blue Plus / Blue Extra | All routes | before departure | No change or cancellation fees; fare difference may apply | Source | 2026-05-06 | |
| JetBlue (B6) | 100 USD | Blue Basic | All routes | before departure | Blue Basic cancellations are $100 per person on most routes and $200 per person on transatlantic itineraries; changes are not allowed | Source | 2026-05-06 | |
| Spirit Airlines (NK) | Depends on fare difference USD | Value | All routes | before departure | Archival: Value: change or cancellation fee applies; fare difference may apply | Source | 2026-05-06 | |
| Spirit Airlines (NK) | 0 USD | Premium Economy | All routes | before departure | Archival: Premium Economy: no change or cancel fees; fare difference may apply | Source | 2026-05-06 | |
| Spirit Airlines (NK) | 0 USD | Spirit First | All routes | before departure | Archival: Spirit First: no change or cancel fees; fare difference may apply | Source | 2026-05-06 | |
| Air France (AF) | Depends on fare conditions EUR | All fares | All routes | before departure | Change and cancellation terms depend on the fare conditions of the ticket; fare difference may apply | Source | 2025-12-24 | |
| British Airways (BA) | Depends on fare rules GBP | All fares | All routes | before departure | Change fees and fare differences apply depending on ticket fare rules; some fares are non-refundable | Source | 2025-12-24 | |
| Jetstar Asia (3K) | Fee plus fare difference SGD | All fares | All routes | before departure | Changes permitted for a fee plus fare difference on Starter fares; Starter Plus, Flex, and Max fares allow changes with fewer restrictions | Source | 2025-12-24 | |
| Jetstar Asia (3K) | Not permitted | Starter fares | All routes | after booking | Refunds not permitted on Starter fares except for flight cancellation or qualifying circumstances | Source | 2025-12-24 | |
| Lufthansa (LH) | Fare difference may apply USD | Economy Classic and above | International (published example context) | before departure | Economy Classic fares and upwards can be rebooked; fare differences may apply and additional conditions apply per published rules | Source | 2025-12-24 | |
| Lufthansa (LH) | Depends on fare conditions USD | All fares | All routes | before journey begins | Refund eligibility depends on fare conditions; online refund requests may be available up to 24 hours before journey start. | Source | 2025-12-24 | |
| Southwest Airlines (WN) | 0 USD | All fares | All routes | before departure | No cancel fee; cancel at least 10 minutes before departure to preserve eligible funds | Source | 2025-12-24 | |
| Alaska Airlines (AS) | 0 USD | All fares | All routes | within 24h | Cancel within 24 hours of booking for full refund | Source | 2025-12-19 | |
| Alaska Airlines (AS) | Depends on fare type USD | All fares | All routes | after 24h | Change and cancellation rules depend on fare type (Saver fares most restrictive) | Source | 2025-12-19 | |
| Frontier Airlines (F9) | 0 USD | Basic Fare / Standard | All routes | 60+ days before departure | Change flight fee (Basic Fare / Standard): 60+ days before departure | Source | 2025-12-19 | |
| Frontier Airlines (F9) | 49 USD | Basic Fare / Standard | All routes | 59 to 7 days before departure | Change flight fee (Basic Fare / Standard): 59 to 7 days before departure | Source | 2025-12-19 | |
| Frontier Airlines (F9) | 99 USD | Basic Fare / Standard | All routes | 6 days or less before departure | Change flight fee (Basic Fare / Standard): 6 days or less before departure (including same-day) | Source | 2025-12-19 | |
| Frontier Airlines (F9) | 0 USD | Economy / Premium / Business bundle | All routes | any time before departure | Change flight fee: no change fees at any time | Source | 2025-12-19 | |
| Frontier Airlines (F9) | 99 USD | Basic Fare / Standard | All routes | before departure | Cancel flight fee (Basic Fare / Standard): per passenger, per direction | Source | 2025-12-19 | |
| Frontier Airlines (F9) | 0 USD | Economy / Premium / Business bundle | All routes | before departure | Cancel flight fee: no cancellation fee | Source | 2025-12-19 | |
| United Airlines (UA) | 0 USD | Economy (non-Basic) | US domestic and international | before departure | No change fee; fare difference applies | Source | 2025-12-19 | |
| United Airlines (UA) | Not permitted | Basic Economy | Basic Economy routes | after 24h | Changes and cancellations not permitted after 24 hours | Source | 2025-12-19 |
The Next step column moves from the fee row into the relevant calculator or airline-specific guide. For checked baggage, Price bags estimates the cash bill and Card break-even tests whether repeat first-bag fees can justify an eligible card on bag savings alone. For carry-on and seat rows, the next question is usually whether the fare restriction changes the real trip cost.
Flexibility problems usually start with the wrong fare family, so pair this page with the Basic Economy guide, compare United and Frontier, and use the U.S. DOT refund rules reference or EU261 passenger rights reference when the disruption question is about refund rights rather than fare rules.
Related references
After the change-fee page, compare the airline-specific fare page and the stripped-fare guide, because flexibility problems usually start before the fee is ever charged.
Cards do not solve change fees directly, but they matter when bag benefits make the better fare rational instead of the stripped fare.
Trip changes often become harder when the traveler is also trying to force the wrong bag onto the new itinerary.
Most flexibility mistakes start with buying the cheapest fare family without pricing the downside.