American and Delta Join United in Ending Domestic Change Fees
Skift Take
Because these are airlines, consumers will want to know: What's the catch. But there probably isn't one. Times are tough in the airline industry, and this is as good a time as any to end unpopular fees.
The four largest U.S. airlines no longer will charge change fees for domestic itineraries, after American Airlines and Delta Air Lines joined United Airlines in ending the $200 charge, a target of consumer ire for decades. Though each airline has a slightly different policy — American's is most customer-friendly — the trio now roughly matches the standard at Southwest Airlines, which has never charged for changes.
Some consumers may be surprised at the news, but most U.S. airlines have been simplifying pricing structures in recent years, often to match low-cost-carriers. Not long ago, passengers had to book a roundtrip fare and stay over a Saturday night to get the lowest-priced fares. That went away in favor of the easy-to-understand, one-way approach pioneered by carriers like Southwest and Spirit Airlines.
This is a continuation of that evolution. The pandemic almost certainly hastened the end of change fees, as airline
