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United discontinues practice of allowing free changes for 'fuller' flights

June 03, 2021
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2 min read
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United discontinues practice of allowing free changes for 'fuller' flights
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Early during the pandemic, United Airlines added an option for flyers booked on "fuller" flights to make a change to their trip, including moving the date slightly — or even choosing an alternate departure or arrival airport nearby — completely free of charge.

In general, this option became available when the check-in window opened "on flights that [were] expected to be closer to full capacity," or at the gate when more than 70% of passengers had checked in. American Airlines introduced a similar program as well.

The practice continued for more than a year. For a United trip I flew this May, for example, United sent me a text at check-in, saying: "We do expect this to be a fuller flight. To see if other flight options are available and change with no fee, go to [United's website]."

This week, I received a similar "fuller flight" text message, but instead of offering a free change, the airline reminded me of its general COVID-19 practices, saying "We've got you covered by putting your health and safety at the forefront of your experience. Learn more about United CleanPlus and the latest science on safe travel: united.com/cleanplus."


So, what prompted the change? With so many Americans traveling once again, most flights likely meet the "fuller" criteria — customers only had an option to change if there was a flight available with many empty seats, a rare occasion these days.

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A United spokesperson confirmed the shift, but noted that the airline now waives most change fees, so if you're looking to move to a less-full flight, you don't have to pay an extra fee. The big difference here is that fare differences are no longer waived — if your new flight is more expensive, you'll have to fork over some cash to cover the difference.

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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  • 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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  • $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.
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  • Annual Fee is $325.
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