American Airlines Drops International Change Fees
The move follows the carrier’s elimination of change fees on domestic and short-haul international services earlier this year
American Airlines has announced that, effect immediately, it is dropping change fees on its long-haul international services originating in North or South America. The new policy applies to all first class, business class, premium economy and Main Cabin fares, with the exception of Basic Economy.
Earlier this year, American joined with a number of other US carriers to remove change fees on domestic and short-haul international flights.
American’s policy also “allows customers to keep the full value of eligible tickets if they change their travel plans prior to their scheduled travel.” That means while customers will have to pay the fare difference for a new flight, they will not lose their ticket value if the new flight is less expensive.
In addition the airline has done away with the service charge applied when customers call its reservations center to book tickets. That fee had been waived due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but the carrier said it will now be “eliminated going forward.”
The AAdvantage program has also removed fees for the reinstatement of miles when cancelling award tickets.
“We are committed to making travel easier for our customers who fly on American,” said American’s chief revenue officer Vasu Raja. “By eliminating change fees, we’re giving customers more flexibility no matter when or where they plan to travel.”
