Yes, you can change a flight after booking, but the cost and ease depend on your airline, ticket type, and how far ahead you make the change

Most airlines let you change your flight, but they charge a fee unless your ticket was refundable or the airline made the change first. Budget carriers like Spirit and Frontier charge the most—often $75 to $200 per change, plus the difference in fare if your new flight costs more. Legacy carriers like Delta, United, and American charge $75 to $100 per domestic change, though some waive the fee if you change to a cheaper flight. The key is knowing what your specific ticket allows before you call or go online.

The easiest way to change is through the airline's website or app—most let you do it yourself without calling. You log in, find your booking, select "manage reservation" or "change flight," pick your new date and time, and pay any difference. If you booked through a travel site like Expedia or Kayak, you usually have to contact the airline directly, not the booking site, because the airline controls the change.

Key Takeaways

  • Most airlines charge $75 to $200 per domestic flight change, though the fee varies by carrier and ticket type.
  • Refundable tickets and basic economy tickets have different change rules—check your confirmation email to see which you bought.
  • You can change most flights through the airline's website or app without calling, though budget carriers may require a phone call.
  • If you change to a cheaper flight, the airline keeps the difference; if you change to a more expensive one, you pay the gap.
  • The airline must allow you to change if they cancel your flight or change the time by more than an hour—no fee applies.

What your ticket type means for changes

Your confirmation email lists what kind of ticket you bought, and that determines what you can change for free. A refundable ticket (sometimes called "basic" or "main cabin") lets you change your flight date and time with no fee—you only pay if the new flight costs more. A non-refundable ticket (often the cheapest option) charges a change fee plus any fare difference. Some airlines call non-refundable tickets "basic economy" or "saver" fares.

A few airlines, including Southwest, do not charge change fees at all—you can move your flight to any date for free, though you pay the difference if the new flight is pricier. Check your confirmation to see the exact name of your ticket type, then search the airline's website for "[airline name] change flight policy" to see the exact fee and rules.

How to change your flight online

Log into the airline's website or app with your confirmation number and last name. Look for a button labeled "manage reservation," "change flight," "modify booking," or "my trips"—the exact wording varies by airline. Click it, select your current flight, and the system will show you available flights on nearby dates and times. Pick your new flight, review the fare difference, and pay if needed. You will get a new confirmation email with your updated flight details.

If you booked through a third-party site like Expedia, Kayak, or Google Flights, you cannot change the flight through that site. Instead, go directly to the airline's website and use the same process above. The airline controls your booking, not the travel site. If you have trouble finding your reservation on the airline's site, call the airline's customer service line—the number is on your confirmation email.

When the airline must let you change for free

If the airline cancels your flight, you have the right to change to another flight at no charge. The same applies if the airline changes your departure time by more than one hour (earlier or later)—you can move to a different flight without a fee. Some airlines also waive change fees during weather events or other disruptions they caused, though this varies.

If your flight is cancelled or significantly delayed, the airline will usually contact you by email or phone with options. You can accept a rebooking to a later flight, request a refund, or ask to change to a different flight on the same day if one is available. Do not wait for the airline to contact you—log into your account and check for notifications, because the fastest rebooking often goes to people who act first.

What happens to the money if you change to a cheaper flight

If your new flight costs less than the original, the airline keeps the difference—you do not get a refund. For example, if you paid $400 for a flight and change to one that costs $320, you lose the $80. Some airlines let you use the $80 as a credit toward a future flight, but this is not may provide. Check the airline's policy before you change.

If your new flight costs more, you pay the difference at the time of change. If the new flight is $450 and you originally paid $400, you pay $50 to upgrade. You can usually pay by credit card right on the website.

Changing a flight booked with miles or points

If you booked with frequent flyer miles or credit card points, the change process is the same—you go through the airline's website or app. However, the fee structure is different. Some airlines charge miles instead of dollars (typically 5,000 to 15,000 miles per change), while others charge a dollar fee plus miles. A few airlines, like Southwest, do not charge anything to change a miles booking.

Check your confirmation email to see how many miles you spent, then search the airline's website for "change award flight" or "modify miles booking" to see the exact fee. If you are unsure, call the airline's frequent flyer line—the number is usually on the back of your frequent flyer card or on the airline's website.

What to do if you cannot change online

Some airlines, especially budget carriers, do not let you change flights through their website—you have to call. Spirit and Frontier are the most common examples. If the website will not let you change, call the airline's customer service number on your confirmation email. Have your confirmation number, last name, and new travel dates ready. The agent will walk you through the change and collect payment if needed.

Calling usually takes 30 minutes to an hour during off-peak times (early morning or late evening), but can take much longer during peak travel times. If you are changing close to your flight date, call as early as possible. Some airlines also let you change through their app even if the website does not offer it, so try the app first.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change my flight the day before or the day of travel?

Yes, most airlines let you change same-day or next-day flights, though availability may be limited and you may pay a higher fare difference. Call the airline as early as possible on the day you want to change—the sooner you call, the more flight options are usually available. Some airlines charge an extra fee for same-day changes, so ask when you call.

What if there are no flights available on my new date?

If no flights are available on your preferred date, the airline will show you the closest available dates. You can accept one of those, or you can ask about a refund if the airline cancelled your original flight. If you cancelled for your own reasons, the airline is not required to refund you—you can only change to another available flight.

Do I have to change to the same destination?

No, but changing to a different city usually costs more. The airline will calculate the fare difference between your original flight and the new one. If you are changing from New York to Los Angeles to New York to Chicago, you pay the difference in price between those two routes. Some airlines may charge an additional fee for a destination change, so ask before you confirm.

Can I change my flight if I booked a package deal with a hotel?

Yes, you can change the flight separately from the hotel. Contact the airline directly to change the flight using the process above. The hotel reservation is separate and has its own cancellation and change rules—check your hotel confirmation email for those details. If you booked the package through a travel site, you may need to contact the site to change the hotel portion.

What if I need to change my flight but the airline's website is down?

Call the airline's customer service line. The number is on your confirmation email. Agents can change your flight over the phone even if the website is temporarily unavailable. You may wait longer than usual during outages, so try calling during off-peak hours if possible.