When your travel plans change, you don't need to throw away your airline ticket. Most carriers will let you exchange even a nonrefundable ticket for use on a later date. However, you may have to pay fees in excess of $100, depending on the carrier, the fare class of your ticket, and the reason for the exchange.
Cancel before your flight leaves, if at all possible. Unrestricted or full-fare airline tickets are the easiest to exchange. These tickets are mostly sold to business travelers who need maximum flexibility and are sold on airline websites as "refundable." In most cases, you can obtain a full refund for this type of ticket if you cancel it before your flight leaves. Calling the airline directly is the easiest way to cancel or exchange such tickets, even if you booked through a third party, such as a travel agent or online travel site. If you booked your ticket through your company, contact your corporate travel manager.
Be prepared to pay a penalty or exchange fee. Most leisure travelers book nonrefundable, or restricted, airline tickets. These often carry hefty cancellation or exchange penalties. In most cases, you will not receive a refund; instead, the airline will give you a credit you can use toward a future ticket. This credit usually expires about a year from the date you exchange the ticket. In addition, most airlines charge fees to passengers exchanging tickets; your credit will be the value of your original ticket minus the fees, which can be as high as $150 for a domestic nonrefundable ticket and higher for international tickets. Some carriers, such as Southwest Airlines (as of December 2009), do not charge fees for exchanges. Be aware that when you rebook your ticket, you may not get the same fare you originally paid; fares can vary widely according to the season or the day of the week. Call your airline or go to its website to find out about fees and to exchange your ticket. Many airlines have reservations agents at airport ticket counters who can perform exchanges or cancellations, but this method can be time-consuming and may involve extra fees.
Ask your airline if it will waive cancellation fees in some circumstances. If you are changing your travel plans because of a death in the family, severe illness of yourself or an immediate family member, or a weather event such as a hurricane or blizzard, call the airline and explain your circumstances. The airline may require a death certificate or doctor's note in the first two instances. In severe weather events, most airlines will proactively waive fees and encourage passengers to rebook with no penalty. If an agent refuses to waive the cancellation fee and you have a legitimate medical reason for changing your ticket, calling back and speaking to a different agent might yield a positive outcome. However, be prepared to back up your request with documentation of your reason for changing your ticket.
Check on stand-by policies. Your airline might not charge you a fee to stand by for a seat on an earlier or later flight the same day as your original flight. However, if you want a confirmed seat, you will often have to pay. Policies and fees depend on the airline; travelers with elite status may be exempt from fees. Call the airline or speak to a reservations agent at the airport. Some airline websites may offer you the option of standing by for an earlier or later flight when you check in.
