The novel coronavirus that emerged at the end of 2019 in Wuhan, China has now spread around the world. When I first published this post on March 2, 2012, most of us weren’t taking COVID-19 that seriously. We worried about the elderly or immunocompromised, but it was affecting most of us merely by throwing a wrench into our travel plans. Many of us simply wondered whether we should still take planned spring break trips or book travel for summer or beyond.
What a difference 11 days makes. We now have almost all spring sports seasons canceled, major universities and K-12 school districts sending kids home, and outbreak clusters from Seattle, Washington to New Rochelle, New York. But life does go on, and a lot of us are still grappling with how it will affect our travel plans – if not today or tomorrow, certainly next month or next year.
I’m not a medical expert, but I am an airline expert. So that’s what I’ve been watching. Naturally, a lot of families are hesitant at the moment to book new travel plans, not knowing just how much this virus will spread within the United States a few weeks or months from now. Airline change fees in particular are very expensive at $200 or more per person, especially for families who need to cancel three, four, or more tickets.
Luckily, a number of US-based airlines have responded by loosening their change fee rules, making air travel in the short term more flexible than it’s ever been. I personally have kept booking flights, but have been reading the fine print carefully. I’ve also been giving my business to the airlines who have been the most generous in helping travelers hedge against the uncertainties of the current COVID-19 coronavirus situation.
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US Airline Rules and Change Fee Waivers During the Coronavirus Pandemic
Although only a few airlines stepped up with flexible change policies immediately a few weeks ago, all US airlines now have waiver policies in place. That said, these policies are not the same. There are several airlines that are still better for booking now if you are concerned about coronavirus disrupting your domestic travel plans in any way – whether that be travel in the next few weeks or later this year. Compare these policies carefully below when deciding where to book future travel plans.
Note: Some of the policies detailed in this post are very limited time waivers for the next few weeks as airlines and US health authorities are in a wait-and-see mode. Some of these policies have already been extended or altered as indicated below, so keep checking back. I’ll plan to continue to update this post.
And be sure to read until the end for expert tips for changes, bookings, and cancellations during this volatile time.
The US airline policies that are in place now as of March 19, 2020 are:
1. Southwest Airlines
Until March 19, 2020, Southwest Airlines has not had to institute any special COVID-19 coronavirus change policies because the airline was already the most generous airline in America when it comes to changes and cancellations. Southwest has a no change fee policy all of the time.
That means you never pay an extra fee when you need to change your flight, paying only the difference in fare. And if you cancel a flight on Southwest, travel funds are redeposited for future use up to a full year from the original date you booked your flight. All flights booked with Rapid Rewards points are fully refunded as points.
As a mom who knows that kids can get sick from dozens of mundane illnesses at any time, Southwest has been my top pick for our family’s travels for years because of this policy. And these rules also continue to make Southwest the best airline to book during this time of uncertainty over COVID-19 coronavirus.
Breaking Update March 19, 2020: Southwest has announced a further generous extension of its travel funds policy to accommodate travelers affected by the coronavirus situation in the next couple of months. The important details:
- Travel funds that have expired or will expire between March 1-May 31, 2020 will now expire June 30, 2021.
- All newly created travel funds because of flight cancellations between March 1-May 31, 2020, will also have an expiration date of June 30, 2021.
Note that if you are scheduled on a flight that is cancelled in the next few months, you are likely entitled to a refund (see this post about how flight schedule changes work and how you can use them to get refunds if you prefer).
To learn more about Southwest Airlines, be sure to check out my complete guide to flying Southwest with kids and see all the other free things you can find on Southwest Airlines.
2. Alaska Airlines
Alaska Airlines usually charges a $125 change fee for domestic travel but has waived that for certain flights and travel dates. This policy has changed several times since the end of February, but here is the current situation:
For tickets purchased before February 26, 2020 for travel March 9-April 30, 2020:
- Saver fares: Travelers can cancel their trip without a fee and deposit the funds into My Account wallet or receive a credit certificate for future travel.
- All other nonrefundable fares: Travelers can either change a trip without a fee (new travel must be completed by February 28, 2021; fare difference may apply) OR cancel their trip without a fee and deposit the funds into My Account wallet or receive a credit certificate for future travel.
For tickets purchased February 27, 2020 through March 31, 2020 for travel before February 28, 2021:
- Saver fares: Travelers can cancel their trip without a fee and deposit the funds into My Account wallet or receive a credit certificate for future travel.
- All other nonrefundable fares: Travelers can either change a trip without a fee (new travel must be completed by February 28, 2021; fare difference may apply) OR cancel their trip without a fee and deposit the funds into My Account wallet or receive a credit certificate for future travel
The full policy and rules for Alaska Airlines is available here.
3. JetBlue
JetBlue began by waiving waiving its usual change and cancellation fees for all flight bookings made February 27-March 11, 2020 for travel on or before June 1, 2020. It has since expanded those change and cancellation rules substantially. The current policy is as follows:
For all previous bookings made before March 10, 2020 for travel through April 30, 2020: Customers may rebook their flights for travel through October 24, 2020.
For all bookings made between February 27, 2020 and March 5, 2020 for travel through June 1, 2020: All change/cancel fees are waived.
For all new bookings made between March 6, 2020 and March 31, 2020 for travel through September 8, 2020: All change/cancel fees are waived.
Fare differences do apply if you change your flight. For cancellations, JetBlue will issue a Travel Bank Credit in the amount of the flight’s full fare (including all taxes and fees) that is valid for one year from date of issuance toward future JetBlue air travel. See the full JetBlue policy details here.
4. American Airlines
American Airlines has a somewhat different change fee waiver policy in place than JetBlue or Alaska. American is waiving change fees (one time only) on any ticket purchased from March 1 through March 31, 2020 (11:59 p.m. CST), as long as original travel is between March 1, 2020 and January 30, 2021. New travel must be completed within 1 year of original ticket issue date and fare differences will apply.
This policy is clearly intended to encourage travelers to book now for future trips months down the road. This offer is also good on any American fares, including basic economy tickets that are normally not changeable at all.
See the full American policy here.
5. Delta Airlines
Delta was a bit later than some other airlines to waive its change fees, but it’s policy is now as least as generous as American’s.
For customers with tickets purchased between March 1, 2020 at 4:30 p.m. CT and March 31, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. CT (for travel between March 1, 2020 and January 30, 2021), a one time change to a flight is allowed without needing to pay a change fee. New travel must be completed within 1 year of original ticket issue date and fare differences will apply.
For all other tickets for travel in March or April, one time change to a flight is allowed without needing to pay a change fee. Travel must commence by December 31, 2020 and fare differences will apply. If you aren’t ready to book now, you can bank the value of a ticket for credit to be used towards a future flight.
6. United Airlines
For all tickets issued on or before March 2, 2020 with original travel dates of March 9 through April 30: Change fees are waived. New tickets must be reissued on/before December 31, 2020 or 12 months from original ticket date, whichever is earlier.
For all tickets booked between March 3 and March 31, 2020: Change fees are waived for up to 12 months from the original ticket issue date. Fare differences apply.
See United’s full policy here.
7. Frontier Airlines
For tickets issued prior to March 10, 2020 with original travel dates between March 10 and April 30, 2020: Customers are permitted a onetime itinerary change without a change/cancel fee. (Must call the airline at 801-401-9000.)
For tickets issued March 10 through March 31, 2020: Customers are permitted a one time itinerary change to their itinerary without a change/cancel fee. (Must call the airline at 801-401-9000.)
See Frontier’s full policy here.
8. Spirit Airlines
Spirit is permitting travelers a one-time free modification (fare difference applies) for anyone who needs to make travel plan changes due to COVID-19 coronavirus. This option is only available by calling the airline at 1-855-728-3555.
Alternatively, travelers can select to receive a reservation credit for the full value of their reservation that an be used for up to 6 months to book any flight currently available (including beyond the 6-month timeframe). This option is available by filling out a form on Spirit’s website here.
9. Allegiant Airlines
All Allegiant customers can request a one-time change to travel plans without incurring change or cancellation fees. To do so, customers have several options: call the airline at 702-505-8888, email by visiting https://www.allegiantair.com/customer-request-assistance, or contact the airline on Twitter or Facebook. To expedite changes, Allegiant asks that customers provide a confirmation number, email address on file, and choice to change your travel date or cancel the reservation for a credit voucher for future travel.
Allegiant’s full policy is here.
10. Hawaiian Airlines
Last but certainly not least is tiny but might Hawaiian Airlines.
For all flights booked through March 9 for travel before April 30, 2020: A one time change fee waiver is available. New travel must be ticketed on/before by December 31, 2020 for travel by December 31, 2020.
For all flights booked between March 1-31, 2020: Customers may change their travel to a future date without incurring change fees (one time only). Fare differences apply.
Hawaiian’s full policy is available here.
Tips for Booking, Changing, and Canceling Airfare While Coronavirus Concerns are Ongoing
A few final tips to consider when it comes to booking airfare and other travel while COVID-19 coronavirus is a concern:
- Book on the airline’s website: I always recommend booking directly with the airline you are flying. Online travel agencies like Expedia can create extra hassles and confusion if and when you need to change a ticket or travel is otherwise disrupted. Cut out the middleman and deal directly with the airline in this time of volatility.
- Remember the 24 hour refund rule: All US airlines always allow you to cancel or change a ticket within 24 hours of booking for a complete refund. As the situation on the ground with coronavirus changes very rapidly, this may provide some additional protection to consider.
- Book refundable travel reservations whenever possible: Although few airlines offer refunds, nearly every other travel reservation you can make could be fully refundable if booked property. This includes hotels, car rentals, and many tours and tickets. (Since Disneyland is now closed, a lot of travelers are now just finding out that even Disney tickets can be refundable if you book them with Trips With Tykes partner Get Away Today!) The key is to book the flexible option – you’ll perhaps miss out on some small discounts available on prepaid rates, but not being locked into a nonrefundable rate is invaluable right now.
- If you don’t need to call the airline now, don’t: Due to the developments of the last few days, even more people are cancelling or changing travel. Airline call centers are beyond overwhelmed. Unless you have a trip in the next couple of days that needs adjustment, don’t add to the load. Wait and call airlines once things have settled a bit more.
Anonymous says
Thank you for this very helpful guide, Leslie!