American Airlines joins Delta, United and waives change fees

American Airlines will join competitors Delta and United on permanently eliminating change fees in an effort to boost travel demand that has been slammed by the covid pandemic. In a world that is constantly changing, American Airlines is resolute to its purpose of caring for customers at all points of their travel journey. American Airlines is offering more flexibility and ease than ever before, should travel plans change.

By eliminating change fees, giving customers an opportunity to get where they want to go faster with free same-day standby on earlier flights and providing access to upgrades and seats for all fare types, American Airlines is giving customers the freedom to make their own choices when traveling. The new policy will impact First Class, Business Class, Premium Economy, and Main Cabin tickets for all domestic and short-haul international flights to the United States, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands, and will be extended to tickets for any new travel purchased by December 31st 2020. American Airlines will allow customers to keep the full value of their original tickets if they change their travel plans prior to the scheduled travel.

Though customers will be required to pay the difference for a new flight, American Airlines will offer a voucher for a future trip for new flights purchased which are lower than the original cost.

Starting October 1st, customers will also be offered same-day standby for all domestic and international travel with the same departure and destination information at no charge, regardless of the ticket purchased. Basic Economy fares will now be able to purchase flight upgrades including priority boarding and Preferred/Main Cabin Extra seats while AAdvantage members with Elite status will continue to receive those same benefits with their memebership. The move comes hours after a similar announcement by Delta Airlines on Monday

United was the first airline to announce the fee waiver in a press release on Sunday, which applies to all ticket types issued after March 3rd 2020. A similar move could come from competitors such as Jet Blue. Southwest Airlines already does not charge baggage or change fees as part of a longstanding policy it has used as a marketing tool. The change fee waiver is the latest attempt by airlines to boost demand as the industry continues to suffer significant financial losses.

American Airlines, Delta, and United have all warned of massive involuntary furloughs or layoffs in October if Congress is unable to reach an agreement on a new round of stimulus before the original $25 billion in federal aid passed back in March expires. Under the terms of the original package, airlines cannot furlough or layoff employees until October 1st.