Airline ticket flexibility is incredibly valuable, and in recent years we’ve largely seen airlines adjust their policies to make them more flexible. Even so, one huge advantage of booking an airline award ticket rather than paying cash is the flexibility that you get.
Continue reading: Airline Award Ticket Change & Cancellation Fees: How Much You’ll Pay
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
Excellent resource, Ben. This is the type of post that is a real service to all of us. (Perhaps it makes up for some of the more click-baity stuff). Thank you.
Hi Ben,
Maybe you already know, but it’s important to note that Aeroplan doesn’t charge change fees for changes to a higher fare or cabin.
So, if you issued your ticket as Standard economy, you can make no-fee changes to flex, latitude, premium economy or business class fares.
I don’t know if they divulge that somewhere or if it’s just a “courtesy” as you’re usually spending more miles.
Re: Delta and "consistent enforcement" of fee for awards originating outside North America. In practice, I've never been charged to change/cancel an award that originates outside North America (always done it online). I'd be curious if anyone actually has.
Airline points are becoming more watered down by the minute. I’ve personally started just booking economy and pay for an upgrade at checkin.
Are you sure about this is 100% correct for Aeroplan. It doesn't match what I see on here: https://www.aircanada.com/ca/en/aco/home/aeroplan/legal/aeroplan-flight-reward-policy.html#/home
Has this article been updated this week for 100% accuracy, or just re-published from years ago?
Aeroplan now has lowest reward vs. flexible reward award points fares e.g. JFK to FRA for 60k + $79 for lowest reward (Change and refundability for a fee) and flexible reward for 74k + CA $79 (refundable and changes for a fare difference only)
Actually, for EVA, there are no charges for date changes to an award booking. Just for route changes.
Incredibly helpful overview, Ben. Seriously, thank you for resources like this. Best words to see on here: "charges nothing for changes, and nothing for cancellations." This is the way.
1990 - How can you charge nothing for charges ? How about charge charges for charges ?
Oh, a riddle! Let's see, is it for electricity? Like, charging a fee for 'charging' your phone?
A small correction - BA do charge golds the cancellation/amendment fee, at least they do for those in the UK!
I don't think they would give up an income opportunity!
Aeroplan is just brutal with change fees and cancelations.
Those of course are per person too, not per PNR.
There is a pathway to change your ticket to a flex ticket for $75 and then cancel. So you save $75. And at least it’s CAD.
Missing SAS on that list with Eurobonus.....
BA charges Gold members regular cancellation/change fees. Pls fix.
Ben, I heard that new subscribers of Life Miles+ will have to pay reward cancellation fee while existing members have 12 months from the original time the member signed up for Life Miles+ (and not 12 months from the announcement was made in June 2026). Is this true? If yes, it's very sneaky of Life Miles to burry the changes under its fine prints.
I have been a member of the Avianca Subscription service at the Basic tier which they charge me $30 thru Cardless each month. Every occasion that I’ve cancelled and award booking they tell me I must pay the full redeposit fee regardless of my subscription to their plan. I’ve escalated this matter numerous times to no avail. Does anyone else have this problem. Any suggestions on how I can resolve these redeposit fees that should be waived?
LifeMiles is the worst, having been the most "difficult" program to deal with since, forever!
Can't cancel a booking within 72 hours of departure; must wait until after the departure date and then apply, and wait and wait for resolution. Course there's a handy $200 for the privilege of waiting.
Their call centres remain an endurance trial, as they always have been.
Miles&More charges up to 500 € for changes with no possibility to cancel and refund.
Thanks Ben for this compilation, v useful
For Delta, I realise Skymiles award flights from the US are refundable without a fee - but fees apply elsewhere
But I’m looking at a possible Skymiles award ticket with Delta partner airlines from London to Bangkok and the awards are described as “changeable/nonrefundable”. It’s a business award (not a “basic”)
Because plans might change, I’m looking for a ticket where I could refund the miles/taxes if needed. I’ve read elsewhere not to worry about the “nonrefundable” terminology, that it simply means there is a fee attached (ie nonrefundable for free) but it does sound ominous! Grateful if anyone can throw any light on their experiences of this rule
Many thanks all,
Thanks Ben for this compilation, v useful
For Delta, I realise award flights from the US are refundable without a fee
But I’m looking at a possible Skymiles award ticket with Delta partner airlines from London to Bangkok and the awards are described as “changeable/nonrefundable”. It’s a business award (not a “basic”)
Because plans might change, I’m looking for a ticket where I could refund the miles/taxes if needed. I’ve read elsewhere not to worry about the “nonrefundable” terminology, that it simply means there is a fee attached (ie nonrefundable for free) but it does sound ominous! Grateful if anyone can throw any light on their experiences of this rule
Many thanks all,
Didnt find LH Miles and More?
Super helpful - thanks for putting this together