UPDATE
Since the earlier story, published Monday morning, American and Delta have followed United in permanently dropping their change fees for domestic flights.
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United Airlines, which was already waiving change fees during the pandemic, has announced that it is eliminating its $200 charge to make changes on domestic tickets permanently.
The widely-hated fees, that sometimes amounted to more than the cost of a flight, will not return, although passengers will still be responsible for any difference in ticket cost, which can be considerable for a ticket being changed close to flight date.
United’s move could be the beginning of a trend; Delta chief Ed Bastian indicated last January that Delta was working on major changes to its change-fee structure, and now might follow United. Change fees have been a major revenue source for airlines; United alone took in $625 million worth last year, and Delta and American collected even more.
At United, Basic Economy tickets will not be affected; they do not allow changes even at a price, although that has also been waived during the current crisis. Change fees on international flights will also remain in place; they vary by destination and other factors. In another change, starting in January, the $75 fee for standing by for an earlier flight on the same day will end. Previously, the free standby was a privilege for top-tier elites.
UPDATE
In a little bit of one-upmanship, American has gone Delta and United one better. If a change is to a ticket with a lower fare, American will credit the difference to the passenger.
All three airlines will charge the passenger if the new ticket has a higher price