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United makes basic economy flexible through the end of 2021

Aug. 13, 2021
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2 min read
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United makes basic economy flexible through the end of 2021
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Great news from United Airlines! This spring, the carrier ended its long-standing pandemic policy of allowing changes for basic economy tickets, which are otherwise completely inflexible. Aside from an option to standby for an earlier flight for free, you're locked into your flight 24 hours after purchase.

Now, following a similar move last month from Delta, United has restored its original flexibility, allowing basic economy customers to make free changes for tickets purchased by the end of 2021.

Best yet, the change is retroactive — customers who purchased basic economy tickets after the last waiver expired on April 30 can now make fee changes, too. As the airline explains:

"As part of an ongoing effort to offer more flexibility, United will allow customers to make changes to all basic economy tickets between now and the end of the year. Customers with basic economy tickets can already fly standby for free on the same day of travel to the same destination."

United's now allowing basic economy flyers to change their tickets through the end of 2021. (Photo by Zach Honig/TPG)

Currently, United's waiver covers basic economy tickets purchased for travel by Dec. 31, 2021, so you can't book a ticket for next year and expect free changes. You could change a ticket booked for this year and choose to travel in 2022, though, as long as the new travel date is within 12 months of the date your ticket was originally issued. It's always possible the airline will extend the waiver again, but as of now that doesn't seem to be the intention.

As for other major U.S. carriers, American Airlines was the first to end its fee waiver, at the end of March, with Alaska, Delta and United following a few weeks later. Delta was then first to reinstate its waiver, and now United has followed suit.

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As of now, basic economy tickets cannot be changed if issued by AA or Alaska, though JetBlue allows its Blue Basic flyers to make a change for a fee — either $100 or $200, depending on the route.

Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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  • Solid welcome bonus

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  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
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  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
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  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
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