The 2025 Guide to Airline Change and Cancellation Policies: What You Need to Know

Air travel in 2025 is a bit like assembling IKEA furniture, full of surprises and the occasional missing piece. With airlines constantly updating their policies, it's essential to stay informed to avoid unexpected fees and headaches. Here's your comprehensive, no-nonsense guide to navigating airline change and cancellation policies this year.

The Golden Rule: The 24-Hour Grace Period

No matter which airline you book with, federal law gives you one solid perk: a full refund within 24 hours of booking, as long as your flight is at least seven days away. It’s basically your oops-proof window, so use it.

Major U.S. Airlines: Policies at a Glance

Delta Air Lines

• Main Cabin and Above: No change or cancellation fees for most domestic and Canadian flights.
• Basic Economy: No changes or refunds allowed.
• International Flights: Fees vary depending on route and fare class.

American Airlines

• Main Cabin and Above: No change fees on most domestic and short international flights.
• Basic Economy: Rigid and restrictive—don’t expect flexibility.
• International Flights: Policies depend on the fare rules.

United Airlines

• Economy and Above: No change fees for U.S. flights.
• Basic Economy: No changes; cancellations may come with a partial credit (and a healthy dose of regret).
• International Flights: Check the fine print—rules vary.

Southwest Airlines

• All Fares: Zero change fees across the board.
• Cancellations: Get travel credit instead of a refund.
• Checked Bags: As of late May 2025, those two free bags? They're gone for most travelers unless you're a loyalty elite or wielding their co-branded credit card.

JetBlue Airways

• Blue Basic Fares: Tickets booked on or after April 3, 2025, cost $100 to change (or cancel) for nearby routes, and $200 for longer-haul international flights.

Spirit Airlines

• Go Fares: For post-February 2025 bookings, change fees range from $59 to $99, while cancellation fees are a flat $99.
• Award Tickets: Expect to pay $69 to $119 depending on how last-minute you get.

Frontier Airlines

• Standard Tickets: No change fee if you’re more than 60 days out. From 59 to 7 days, it’s $49. Six days or less? $99.
• Bundles: Higher fare bundles waive those fees.
• Cancellations: Most tickets will get hit with a $99 fee per person, per direction.

Alaska Airlines

• Main Cabin and First Class: No change or cancellation fees.
• Saver Fares: Cancel at least 14 days out and get 50% back in credit.
• Same-Day Changes: A flat $50 fee.

Hawaiian Airlines

• Main Cabin and Up: No change fees for cash or miles bookings.
• No-Show Policy: Starting May 15, 2025, if you ghost your flight, your whole itinerary gets canceled and your fare or miles evaporate.

New DOT Regulations in 2025: Know Your Rights

The Department of Transportation has introduced new refund rules to protect passengers when airlines don’t hold up their end of the deal:

• Automatic Refunds: If your flight is significantly delayed or canceled and you don’t take the alternate, you’re owed a refund.
• “Significant Change” Defined: A delay of 3+ hours domestically or 6+ hours internationally, a switch in airports, added stops, or a downgrade in service or accessibility.
• Speedy Refunds: Credit card purchases must be refunded in 7 business days; other payment types in 20.
• Ancillary Refunds: Didn’t get that Wi-Fi or seat you paid for? Airlines must refund you.

Smart Strategies to Avoid Extra Fees

• Use Airline Credits Wisely: Most expire within 12 months and are non-transferable. Set a calendar alert before your refund turns into a donation.
• Book One-Way Flights: You’ll have way more flexibility if just one leg of your trip goes sideways.
• Watch the Schedule: Airline tweaks could qualify you for a refund or free change.
• Avoid Third-Party Pitfalls: Booking directly through airline websites are safer when it comes to policy protection.
• Pack Some Travel Insurance: Especially for international or pricey trips.

Credit Cards That Can Save the Day

If you’re going to have your travel dreams temporarily crushed, you might as well get rewarded—or protected—while it happens:

• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: Covers up to $10,000 per trip in cancellation protection, plus 5x points on Chase TravelSM bookings.
• Chase Sapphire Reserve®: Same $10,000 coverage but with extra bells—like lounge access and better redemptions.
• The Platinum Card® from American Express: Comes with premium travel insurance and rebooking help through Amex Travel.
• Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card: Built-in trip protection and Capital One Travel's price-drop tracking.
• Bilt Mastercard: Surprisingly solid travel protections—and yes, you can earn points on rent (up to 100,000 a year).

Final Boarding Call

Flying in 2025 isn’t as chaotic as it used to be, but it still requires a sharp eye and a flexible mindset. With airlines offering a mix of generous and not-so-generous policies, understanding your fare rules before you book is the best way to fly smart.

Set alerts, pick the right credit card, and don’t let a sneaky cancellation fee ruin your trip—or your budget.

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All information is accurate as of the date of publication but may change over time.

Always check for the latest details before making travel plans.