How to Change American Airlines Flights: Step-by-Step Guide for 2025

Last Updated on Mar 3rd, 2025 by Chakshu Kaur, Leave a Comment

Travel plans change, and that’s normal. Whether you booked the wrong date, need to change your itinerary, or just had a last-minute emergency, American Airlines offers options to modify your flight. But the big question is how easy it is to change your American Airlines flight and what the costs are involved.

This guide will explain American Airlines’ flight change policy, fees, same-day flight changes, and more. Need to Change Your American Airlines Flights to India? Check all the details 

American Airlines Change Flight

Changing your flight with American Airlines isn’t as complicated as it seems. The process depends on the type of ticket you’ve bought. Below is a quick breakdown of how it works based on the ticket you’ve chosen:

Ticket Type	Can I Change It?	Fee	Other Notes
Basic Economy	No, except for same-day standby	Not allowed (Cancellation Fee: $99 Approx.)	Changes aren’t allowed except for same-day standby. If you cancel, you’ll get a travel credit (minus the $99 fee Approx.). Only available if booked directly with American Airlines and within the U.S. You must also be an AAdvantage member.
Main Cabin & Above	Yes	Free, but a fare difference applies	You can change your flight with American Airlines with no fee, but if the new flight is more expensive, you’ll need to pay the difference. If it’s cheaper, you’ll get a travel credit for the difference.
Award Tickets	Yes	Free, but a fare  difference applies	You can cancel and get your miles back without any fee. Any difference in fare will be reflected in your miles.

In short, if you’re asking, “Can I change my American Airlines flight?” The answer depends on the type of ticket you hold.

How to Change Your American Airlines Flight?

Changing your flight with American Airlines is very easy. You can do it online, over the phone, or even at the airport. Here’s a brief guide on how to do it.

1. Change Your Flight Online (Easiest Method)

The easiest and most convenient way to change a flight with American Airlines is to do it online. Here’s how:

• Go to the American Airlines website.
• Log into your account (or if you don’t have an account, you can just use your booking reference number).
• Go to the “My Trips” section.
• Select the flight you want to change and follow the prompts to choose your new flight.
• If the new flight costs more, you’ll need to pay the fare difference, but there’s no additional change fee for most tickets.

2. Change Your Flight via Phone

If you’re not using the online process or need help, you can call American Airlines. The American Airlines change flight phone number is available on their official website. It’s perfect for complicated changes or specific requests.

3. Change Your Flight at the Airport

If you’re already at the airport, you can go to the ticket counter or use a kiosk (if available) to make the change. Just be prepared that you might need to pay the fare difference, depending on your ticket.

American Airlines Same-Day Flight Change

Sometimes, your plan changes at the last minute, and you may need to switch your flight for a same-day departure. If you’ve got a flexible ticket (like a Main American Airlines Cabin class ticket or higher), American Airlines allows same-day flight changes, though there are a few conditions.

Same-Day Confirmed Changes vs. Same-Day Standby

Fare Type	Same-Day Confirmed Change	Same-Day Standby
Basic Economy	Not allowed	Allowed (for a fee)
Main Cabin & Above	Allowed (for a fee)	Free (subject to availability)
AAdvantage Elite Members	Free (both confirmed & standby)	Free (both confirmed & standby)

So, if you’re an AAdvantage Elite Member, you’re in luck; you can change your flight for free on the same day. For everyone else, you can either pay a fee to confirm your seat or opt for standby.

American Airlines change flight fee

One of the best things about American Airlines’ policy is that they’ve done away with most change fees (for Main Cabin and higher fares). However, you will need to pay the difference in fare if your new flight costs more than your original ticket.

Here’s a breakdown of the fees for different scenarios:

Change Type	Fee
Domestic Flight Change	Free (but fare difference applies)
International Flight Change	Free (but fare difference applies)
Same-Day Change (Non-Elite Members)	$75 – $150
Same-Day Change (Elite Members)	Free

So, if you’re changing your flight on the same day, be prepared to pay anywhere from $75 to $150, unless you’re an Elite member, in which case it’s free.

Can I Change My Return Flight on American Airlines?

Sometimes, all you need is a change to the return flight. Whether you’ve had a change in plans or you just want to extend your vacation, American Airlines allows you to change your return flight easily.

To change just the return flight:

• Log in to your AA account and go to My Trips.
• Select the return segment of your flight.
• Choose a new return date.
• Pay the fare difference (no change fee if not Basic Economy).

So, yes, you can change your return flight on American Airlines, but keep in mind that fare differences will apply.

American Airlines Basic Economy Flight Change Policy

If you’ve booked a Basic Economy ticket, you must know it comes with a few restrictions. When it comes to changing flights, Basic Economy tickets are the most limited. Unfortunately, changes are generally not allowed for this fare type, except for same-day standby (and there’s a small fee for that).

However, don’t let the restrictions of Basic Economy get you down! If your plans change at the last minute, you can still try for a same-day standby on another flight, but keep in mind that you’ll have to pay a fee, and there’s no guarantee you’ll get on the flight you want. If you’re looking for a bit more flexibility, consider upgrading to a higher fare type next time.

For more details, check out AA’s Basic Economy Policy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I change my American Airlines flight for free?

A: Yes! American Airlines doesn’t charge change fees for most tickets, but you’ll have to pay any fare difference.

Q: How can I change my flight date on American Airlines?

A: You can change your flight date online under ‘My Trips’ or by calling customer service.

Q: Does changing flights with American Airlines allow multiple times?

A: Yes, as long as you pay the fare difference each time.

Q: What if American Airlines changes my flight?

A: If American Airlines changes your flight, you can switch to a different one for free.

Q: Can I change my Basic Economy flight?

A: No, except for same-day standby (for a fee).

Conclusion

If you need to change your flight with American Airlines, don’t panic. If you need to adjust your schedule, change your return flight with American Airlines, or rebook for another day, the process is very simple. You can do it online, on the phone, or even at the airport, with plenty of options depending on your fare type.

For the most flexibility, it’s a good idea to book a Main Cabin or higher ticket, as this gives you more freedom when it comes to making changes. And remember, American Airlines no longer charges change fees for most fares; just keep an eye on fare differences if your new flight costs more.

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Need more help? Don’t hesitate to Contact Us for more info on changing your flight with American Airlines.

Safe travels and happy flying!