You can change most Expedia flights, but the cost and ease depend on your ticket type and airline
Most airlines let you change a flight booked through Expedia, but Expedia itself does not control whether a change is free or costs money—the airline does. If your ticket is refundable or comes with a change allowance, you may pay nothing. If it is non-refundable with no change option, the airline will charge a fee, usually $50 to $200 depending on the carrier and how far in advance you change. Some airlines, like Southwest, let you change any ticket free. Others, like United or American, charge for changes on basic economy fares.
The fastest way to change is through the airline's website or app directly, because Expedia's change system can take longer and sometimes charges its own processing fee on top of the airline's fee. If you book a refundable ticket or a ticket that explicitly includes free changes, you have the most flexibility. If you booked a non-refundable ticket with no change option, you cannot change it—you can only cancel it and lose the fare, or pay the airline's change fee if one applies.
Key Takeaways
- Changing a flight through the airline directly is usually faster and cheaper than changing through Expedia, because Expedia may add its own processing fee.
- Whether you pay a change fee depends on your ticket type and the airline's rules, not on Expedia—check your confirmation email to see what type of ticket you bought.
- Refundable tickets and tickets that say "free changes included" let you change to any available flight at no cost beyond any fare difference.
- Non-refundable tickets with no change option cannot be changed; you can only cancel and lose the fare, or pay the airline's change fee if the airline offers one.
- If you change to a cheaper flight, most airlines keep the fare difference as a credit rather than refunding it to your original payment method.
How to change your flight through the airline instead of Expedia
Log into the airline's website or app using your confirmation number and last name, find your booking, and select the option to change or modify your flight. Most airlines have a "Manage My Booking" or "Change Flight" button on their homepage. This route avoids Expedia's processing fee and usually completes faster—often within minutes if you change to another available flight on the same airline.
You will need your confirmation number, which Expedia sent to your email when you booked. The airline will show you available flights on your new date and time, and you can select one when ready. If the new flight costs more, you pay the difference. If it costs less, the airline typically credits the difference to your account as a travel credit rather than refunding it to your card.
How to change your flight through Expedia if you prefer
Go to Expedia.com, sign into your account, find your booking under "My Trips," and click "Manage Itinerary." Select the flight you want to change and choose a new date and time. Expedia will show you available flights and any additional cost.
Expedia may charge a change fee on top of what the airline charges—this is separate from the airline's fee and goes to Expedia, not the airline. The total cost is the airline's change fee (if any) plus Expedia's processing fee (if any) plus the difference in fare. This is why changing directly with the airline is usually cheaper. Expedia's change process can also take longer to process, sometimes 24 to 48 hours, whereas the airline's system is when ready.
Understanding ticket types and what you can change
Your confirmation email lists your ticket type. Refundable tickets let you change to any available flight at no cost beyond any fare difference. Non-refundable tickets with free changes also let you change at no cost beyond fare difference—these are common on premium economy or business fares. Non-refundable tickets with change fees let you change, but the airline charges a fee (usually $50 to $200) plus any fare difference. Non-refundable tickets with no changes cannot be changed at all; you can only cancel and lose the fare.
If you are unsure which type you have, look at your confirmation email for language like "non-refundable," "change fee applies," or "free changes included." If you see nothing about changes, contact the airline or Expedia to ask before you attempt to change.
What happens if you change to a cheaper flight
If your new flight costs less than the original, the airline keeps the fare difference as a travel credit on your account. You cannot get this money back to your original payment method. The credit is usually valid for one year from your original booking date and can be used for any flight on that airline.
Some airlines let you transfer a credit to another person's account, but most do not. Check the airline's policy on its website before you change, because the rules vary. If you need the money back rather than a credit, changing is not the right option—you would need to cancel instead, though you would lose the entire fare on a non-refundable ticket.
Change fees by major airline
Airlines set their own change policies, and these change frequently. As a general guide: Southwest allows free changes on all tickets. United, American, and Delta charge $50 to $200 for changes on basic economy and economy fares, depending on how far in advance you change and whether you are changing to a flight on the same day. JetBlue allows free changes on most fares but charges on basic economy. Alaska Airlines allows free changes on most fares.
These fees explore whether you change through the airline or through Expedia—Expedia does not control them. However, Expedia may add its own processing fee on top. Always check the airline's website directly for the most current policy, because fees and rules change seasonally and by route.
When you cannot change and what to do instead
If your ticket is non-refundable with no change option, you cannot change it. Your only options are to cancel and lose the fare, or to buy a new ticket. Some people buy a new ticket and then cancel the old one after they have flown the new flight, but this only works if your original ticket is refundable or if the airline's policy allows it—most do not.
If you are in a situation where you cannot fly and cannot change, contact the airline directly to ask whether they offer any exceptions. Some airlines will waive change fees for medical emergencies, death in the family, or military deployment, though they require documentation. Expedia cannot override the airline's policy, so the airline is the only place to ask.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my flight to a different airline?
No. You can only change to another flight on the same airline. If you booked United through Expedia, you can only change to another United flight. To fly a different airline, you must cancel your original ticket and buy a new one with the other airline.
Do I have to pay Expedia's change fee if I change through the airline's website?
No. If you change directly through the airline's website or app, you only pay the airline's change fee (if any) and any fare difference. Expedia's fee only applies if you change through Expedia's website. This is why changing through the airline is usually cheaper.
What if I change my flight and then need to change it again?
You can change again using the same process. If your ticket allows changes, you can change as many times as you want, as long as the airline has available flights. Each change may incur another fee and fare difference, depending on your ticket type.
Can I change my flight date but keep the same time?
Yes, if the airline has another flight at that time on your new date. When you search for a new flight, you can filter by time. If no flight exists at that exact time, you will need to choose a different time or a different date.
Will Expedia refund me if I change to a cheaper flight?
No. The airline credits the fare difference to your account as a travel credit, not a refund. This credit can be used for future flights on that airline but cannot be converted back to cash or transferred to your original payment method.