Navigating the world of airline policies can often seem like a daunting task. But don’t worry, we’re here to help! This guide will provide you with a clear and concise overview of the American Airlines Flight Change Policy. Whether you’re a frequent flyer or an occasional traveler, understanding these policies can save you time, money, and stress. So, let’s dive in and explore the flexibility and options that American Airlines provides to its passengers when they need to change their flights.

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What is American Airlines Flight Change Policy?

Sometimes, things change abruptly, and you might want to change your flight time to a different one or your departure/arrival location to a different one. All of these changes are allowed by American Airlines, but for certain costs and limitations, these changes are under the American Airlines flight change policy.

American Airlines Flight Change Policy Rules

Here are some of the important rules and American Airline flight change policy you need to keep track of-

American Airlines has eliminated change fees for most airline tickets, including domestic, short-haul international, and select long-haul international flights.
Basic Economy fares purchased on or after April 1, 2021, are non-refundable and non-changeable.
If you change your flight and the new flight costs more than the original one, you will have to pay the difference. However, if your new flight is less expensive, you will receive a travel credit for the difference.
If you arrive late for your flight, American Airlines will rebook you on the next available flight as long as you’re at the airport check-in counter no later than 15 minutes after the scheduled departure time.
If you cancel a non-refundable ticket, the refund provided will be in the form of flight credits.

American Airlines 24-hour Flight Change Policy

American Airlines provides you with a flexible option to make changes to your booking, which is the 24-hour change policy. This policy applies to all tickets bought at least 2 days before departure. If the ticket is canceled within this 24-hour window, passengers are eligible for a full refund, regardless of the fare type, including non-refundable tickets.

However, Basic Economy fare tickets cannot be changed after the 24-hour window. In addition to this, American Airlines also allows same-day confirmed changes on select flights for a fee, with some exceptions. Customers can stand by for a flight at no charge. However, for all travel on or after March 1, 2024, you’ll need to be an AAdvantage® member to stand by for a flight (some exclusions may apply).

Helpful Guide – American Airlines Manage Booking

How To Change American Airlines Flight?

Making changes to your flight has different sides and you have a variety of options to make changes to your itinerary. Mostly, all the method mentioned here has certain advantages over the others so let’s check them all out.

1) American Airlines Change Flight via Website

If you wish to make changes to your American Airlines flight online, you must follow the steps given below:

Visit the American Airlines website and log in to your account using your confirmation code or AAdvantage® account.
Find your booked trip and select it.
Click the “Change trip” button.
Confirm that you want to change your flight. Search for alternative flights that suit your new travel plans.
Once you’ve found a suitable flight, select it and proceed to complete the change process.

2) American Airlines Flight Change via Contact Number

Contacting customer support is the easiest way to make changes to your flight. Here are the steps you need to follow while talking to an agent-

Dial the American Airlines customer support number mentioned below.
Speak to an agent and request to change your flight.
Share your flight and passenger information with the agent.
The agent will verify if your fare allows changes and process your request.
If there’s a fare difference, provide your credit/debit card details to cover the change fee.

3) American Airlines Flight Change at the Airport

Making changes to your flight is a bit different if you are at the airport. So make sure to follow these steps while making changes at the airport-

Visit the American Airlines ticket counter.
Consult the agent and let them know about your plans to make changes.
Provide them with the booking details of your flight.
They will make the changes and let you know if any fee or fare difference is applicable.
Pay the same, and your changes will be confirmed.

Fees for Changing Flight at American Airlines

American Airlines has a comprehensive policy regarding fees for changing flights. For most flights, American Airlines has eliminated change fees, but if you change to a more expensive flight, you will need to pay the fare difference. However, if you have a Basic Economy fare, changes are not allowed after the 24-hour window from the time of ticket purchase. Here is a table depicting all the American Airlines flight change fees-

1) Same Day Flight Change:

Main Cabin: Starting at $50 per ticket.
For Premium Economy, Business Class, and First Class there are no additional fees required.

2) Voluntary change to a ticket before the day of travel:

Main Cabin: Up to $750 if travel begins outside North or South America (No fees for travel beginning in NA or SA)
Premium Economy: Up to $750 for travel beginning outside North or South America
Business Class: Up to $750 if a different point of origin other than North or South America (No fees for travel beginning in NA or SA)
First Class: Up to $750 if a different point of origin other than North or South America (No fees for travel beginning in NA or SA)

3) Voluntary changes for tickets booked outside of American Airlines:

Main Cabin: $50 per ticket.
Premium Economy: $50 per ticket.
Business Class: $50 per ticket.
First Class: $50 per ticket.

For passengers traveling in Basic Economy fare, there is a change fee of $99 for AAdvantage® members traveling within the 50 U.S. states.

Helpful Guide – American Airlines Name Change Policy

American Same-day Flight Change Policy

American Airlines same-day flight changes are allowed on select flights, subject to certain rules and fees. Here are the key points:

Eligibility:

If you are traveling on or after March 1, 2024, you’ll need to be an AAdvantage® member to opt for stand-by for a flight (some exclusions may apply).
Same-day standby is available to one world® status members, active U.S. military, and Main Cabin Select customers.

Rules for Same-Day Changes:

1) Your new flight must:

Depart on the same day as your original flight from and to the same airports.
Have the same amount of hauls, in the same airports, which was in your original flight.
Be operated only by American Airlines or American Eagle.

2) Anyone can stand by for an earlier flight, but only AAdvantage® status members can stand by for a later flight on the same day.

3) Same-day confirmed changes and standby are not always available so make sure to check it out first.

American Airlines Schedule Change Policy

A Schedule Change refers to a planned alteration or cancellation of a flight that occurs prior to the day of departure. It can happen more than 72 hours before the scheduled departure.

Examples of Schedule Changes include:

Change of flight times: Adjustments to departure or arrival times.
Change of flight numbers: Modifications to flight designations.
Reduction of service: Decrease in flight frequency.
Discontinuation of service in a market: Cancellation of flights on a specific route.

Summary:

The American Airlines flight change policy covers all aspects of modifying your itinerary as per your wish. All of the changes are subject to availability, so make sure to check on this before making any alterations to your flight. If you still face any trouble making changes to your flight, feel free to contact American Airlines customer support. They will help you out with any issue that you face.

Helpful Guide:

Frequently Asked Questions:

1) How will I receive a scheduled change notification if a ticket is booked from a travel agency?
If you have booked via a travel agency, you will receive a notification for schedule change from the travel agency itself. The airline will forward the change notification to the agency.

2) When can I be eligible for refunds in case of schedule changes?
If the scheduled change is for more than 60 minutes from your original departure time, you can claim refunds for your itinerary.

3) Can I change my American Airlines flight?
Yes, using the methods mentioned above in this article, you can easily make changes to your American Airlines flights.

4) Can I change my return flight date American Airlines?
If your booking is on the same itinerary as the return trip, you will have to make changes to the whole itinerary before the departure of your flight. However, with different itineraries, you can make changes even after you have flown one leg and the return trip is yet to commence.

American Airlines Flight Change Policy