Plans change. Flight bookings may need to change with them. For US travelers, many airlines offer an amount of flexibility on standard fares and above, but the cheapest tickets may be less forgiving. Here's how to find the flexible ticket options that work for you.
In times of uncertainty, airlines have adapted by offering enhanced flexibility to travelers. But these policies don't last forever, so what's out there on any given day?
The good news is you can snag flexible airline tickets if you know where to look. But first, what does "flexible ticketing" actually mean?
Change flexibility: This means you can move your flight without paying a transaction fee, but a fare difference may apply. Look for this when booking trips where you know dates might shift.
Cancelation flexibility: These tickets let you cancel the trip and get a cash refund, credit, or voucher toward a new flight with the same airline (this depends on whether tickets are refundable or non-refundable). This usually happens automatically when an airline has to make significant changes to a flight. It's worth checking for this if you're worried that the trip may not go ahead.
Airlines offering flexible tickets
While the cheapest basic economy tickets are still pretty rigid, if you bump up to the next fare class, you may be able to change your flight without an extra fee. Here are the main flexible flight ticket policies from major US-based airlines.
Airline | Airline policy |
|---|---|
Delta has eliminated change and cancelation fees for flights originating in the US and Canada for Delta Classic and Extra experiences. You may change the date, time or location of your trip before departure. However, your ticket will remain in the same fare category. If your trip starts outside the US or Canada, change and cancel fees can still be charged, depending on ticket type and origin airport. You will also be asked to pay the fare difference if the new ticket costs more. | |
United has said goodbye to change fees for Economy, Economy Plus, and premium cabin tickets for flights within the US, Puerto Rico, and US Virgin Islands; between the US and Mexico or the Caribbean; and international trips originating in the US. | |
JetBlue generally allows passengers to change or cancel a flight for free, as long as you do this online and you have any fare other than Blue Basic. However, if you request a change or cancelation over the phone or through chat, you will be charged a $25 fee per person. | |
American Airlines sells two types of tickets: non-refundable or refundable. The latter allows passengers to change or cancel without a fee. A change fee will be charged for non-refundable tickets. Changes are not allowed on Basic Economy fares. If you booked at least two days before departure, you can cancel with a full refund within 24 hours of buying a ticket, regardless of whether it is refundable or non-refundable. | |
Southwest doesn’t charge cancelation fees. For changes, you will be charged a difference in fare only (no fee) for tickets on Choice fares and above. If your ticket is on the Basic fare, you can only change it by first upgrading the fare type to Choice and above. | |
Hawaiian Airlines does not charge a change fee, except for a same-day change. On Main and First Class fares, you can cancel a non-refundable ticket without a fee and receive travel credit toward a future booking. If you have a refundable ticket, you will receive a full refund. Saver fares can get 50% credit if canceled at least 14 days before departure (and there is no fee applied). | |
You can change an Alaska Airlines flight or cancel it free of charge within 24 hours of purchase. This applies only for trips that take place more than 24 hours from the time of purchase. Alaska has also removed change fees for Main and First Class fares (but a difference in price will be charged if the new flight is more expensive). This does not apply to their cheapest tickets, the Saver fares (on which no changes are allowed). Main and First Class tickets on Alaska are either refundable or non-refundable. For the refundable tickets, there is no fee to cancel a trip and you will receive a refund to your original method of payment. Non-refundable ticket cancelations will be offered Alaska Airlines travel credit. Saver fare tickets can be canceled with a 50% credit if at least 14 days remain until your trip. |
Information is current as of June 9, 2026.
How to fly flexible
Want to know how to book flexible flight tickets? Take these easy steps:
Find your ideal flight and then head to the airline's website. Check their flexible ticket policy to see if change and cancelation fees are part of the fare class you want to purchase.
If you aren’t able to change or cancel for free, consider booking a higher cabin class to unlock those benefits, where this is available.
Remember flexible travel doesn’t stop at flights. Review the policies of the hotels and rental car you’re planning to book, too.
Consider buying travel insurance to protect against the unexpected. However, read the conditions carefully: most travel insurance policies will cover a multitude of reasons for changing or canceling flights, but these are specifically spelled out. A "Cancel For Any Reason" type of policy is an optional add-on in most cases, and may not cover you for the whole trip cost.
FAQs about flexible airline tickets
Final thoughts: Find airfare with flexible dates
In an ever changing world, many airlines have created flexible ticket options. In some cases, you’ll need to buy or upgrade to a higher fare class to achieve maximum fee-free flexibility. Some of these tickets may also be fully refundable if you need to cancel your trip.
To avoid any surprises later on, always check the airline's policy before booking your ticket.
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