Airlines are permanently eliminating change fees

[AllyCat]

https://www.theverge.com/2020/8/31/21409152/united-delta-airlines-change-fee-eliminate-covid

United, Delta, and American all announced yesterday they will eliminate change fees. Now if they would stop charging to pick our seats...like they used to do for free.

[Klaralven]

1. They have to compete with Southwest

"A spokesperson for Southwest noted that the airline has never charged an extra fee for travel changes"

Some relatives have tickets on SW that they have been pushing back for a while, waiting until restrictions on travelers from their state are lifted.

[genxlib]

2. Permanently?

Not buying it. I would accept “indefinitely” but nothing is permanent when some future bean counter sees potential untapped revenues.

As an aside, I don’t understand the love for Southwest. I check them every time I fly even though it is a pain because they remain outside the normal booking system. They are consistently more expensive for me and that doesn’t even get me an assigned seat. The fares must be lower in other routes. I am South Florida and they fly a lot of routes here but I just can’t find decent rates even taking luggage into account.

[bluecollar2]

3. I call b..lls..t

They'll make your fare non-refundable instead. You'll still have to pay in advance and you won't get your money back..

[brooklynite]

4. "Permanently" is so....permanent

Nothing stopping the airlines from restoring them when the travel market returns to normal.

[Happy Hoosier]

5. It's about time.

This isn't the 60's where a change might involve some significant labor. It is all computerized now and costs them NOTHING.