Many airlines have started offering these flexible flight tickets as a response to the uncertainty the pandemic created. Travel is easier again, but some airlines have not yet scaled back these flexible booking policies. So if you’d like to take advantage of travelling with fee-free changes and extra peace of mind, we’d recommend you search for flexible flights.
Read on to find out how to book the flexible policies that remain in place, or add extra flexibility to any normal flight ticket.
Flexible flights FAQs
Generally speaking, a flexible flight ticket is one you can change or even cancel without paying an additional fee. These ticket policies differ between airlines. Most will offer you a refund or the option to change your travel dates for free if you need to cancel your flight due to COVID-19. Some airlines will let you change your travel dates if you choose to for other reasons, either for free or by paying the fare difference.
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, most popular airlines (including Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, and United) expanded their flight change policies to increase flexibility for all tickets. If you’d like to take advantage of traveling with fee-free changes and cancellations, we’d recommend you search for flexible fares and book soon.
You need to set a date when you book most flights. However, if you buy a flexible ticket or a flexible add-on, you can move the flight date and time until the ticket’s validity period ends.
While tickets with flexible policies still have a set departure date that could be subject to change depending on circumstances, open tickets have historically been flight tickets with a set departure date but a flexible return date.
Yes. In the midst of the pandemic, when restrictions were constantly in flux, some airlines allowed changes days before the flight departed. These kinds of tickets could still be valid – just check each airline’s policy and terms carefully before you book.
Yes, you can. Some airlines may also offer changes or cancellations on both legs of a flight with a stopover. Just check each airline’s policy carefully before you book.
Airlines offering flexible flight tickets
Ticket policies differ between airlines. Most will offer you a refund or the chance to change your dates of travel for free if you need to cancel your flight due to COVID-19. Some airlines will let you change your dates of travel if you choose to for other reasons, either for free or by paying the fare difference.
As travel becomes easier and borders reopen, airlines will slowly scale back these policies. So we recommend booking soon if you’d like to take advantage of fee-free flexible tickets. Here are a few major airlines’ current policies:
| Airline | Airline Policy |
| Delta | Delta has eliminated change and cancellation fees for domestic and international flights originating from North America for Main Cabin and above fares. All tickets expiring in 2022 and all new tickets purchased in 2022 may be rebooked through December 31, 2023, for travel now through 2024. |
| United | United has said goodbye to change fees for most of its economy and premium cabin fares within the US, between the US and Mexico or the Caribbean, and international travel originating in the US. |
| jetBlue | JetBlue offers travelers free change or cancellation on most fares, except Blue Basic. |
| American Airlines | All domestic, short-haul international and some long-haul international flights on Premium Cabin, Premium Economy and Main Cabin fares are not subject to change fees on American Airlines. |
| Southwest Airlines | Southwest never charges change or cancellation fees. The added bonus is that if you choose a cheaper flight, Southwest will refund the difference. What’s more, all Southwest tickets are either refundable or reusable. Business Select and Anytime tickets are refundable. And the non-refundable Wanna Get Away tickets can be reused for future travel via Travel Funds. |
| Hawaiian Airlines | Hawaiian Airlines’ flexible tickets make travel effortless, with no change fees for guests who purchase tickets or redeem HawaiianMiles. That applies to any route within their network and for Main Cabin fares and higher. |
How to book a flexible trip
- Once you’ve found your flight, check the policy on the airline’s website before you book. You may find they are still offering flexible, changeable, or refundable fares free of charge.
- If not, then consider a higher cabin class or look to see if you can add extra flexibility. Despite some blanket flexible policies being reversed this year, many airlines still offer changeable tickets for an extra fee.
- Remember flexible travel doesn’t stop at flights. You can book hotels and rental cars with us, then amend later, too. Just hit the ‘Free cancellation’ filter option when you search on our website or app.
- Consider travel insurance with COVID-19 coverage. It means your money is safe if COVID-19 disrupts your vacation plans, and is available at the checkout when you book your flights with us.
Want to read more?
- 4 things you need to know about canceled flights
- How far in advance can you book a flight?
- Unbeatable last-minute flight deals to popular countries
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