Airline same day travel changes are offered by most airlines and allow for flexibility, when you wish to change your flight the same day, without requiring you to purchase a new ticket. Some allow for a confirmed change if the fare class is available, and if it’s not then you’ll have the option to request to fly standby.

Delta: Delta offers two same day travel change options, which are Same Day Standby and Same Day Confirm. In Same Day Confirm, you can change your flight within 24 hours prior to the departure time of your original flight, to another flight, as long as the same fare class is available. This is free for Diamond, Platinum and Gold Medallion members, however there is a $75 charge for Silver Medallions, and non SkyMiles members.

If Same Day Confirm isn’t available, then you can use the Same Day Standby option, however Silver Medallion members, general SkyMiles members and non-members may only fly same-day standby for a flight that is earlier than their original flight. If you’re a Diamond, Platinum and Gold Medallion members you may standby for a flight any time on the same day as their original flight. The same fee structure applies meaning it’s free for Diamond, Platinum and Gold Medallion members, or $75 charge for Silver Medallions, and non SkyMiles members.

American Airlines: American has both same-day confirmed and same-day standby options. The airline charges a fee of $75 on flights between the United States, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI), Canada, and the Caribbean, or $150 on flights between and connecting through New York JFK and London Heathrow, you can confirm an available seat on an earlier or later flight. American waives the fee for American Airlines AAdvantage Executive Platinum status and companions in same record.

With their same-day standby, it costs $75 on flights between the United States, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) and you may only standby on an earlier flight. There is no charge for American Airlines AAdvantage Executive Platinum, Platinum Pro, Platinum or Gold status and up to 8 companions in same record to request to fly standby.

United: United allows for same-day flight changes at a fee of $75 per ticket, however this is waived for MileagePlus Premier Gold, Premier Platinum and Premier 1K members. The same-day flight change option will be available within 24 hours before your originally scheduled flight. Similar to Delta, the original fare class must be available, otherwise you’ll be placed on the standby list, and will only be charged if you make the new flight. Routing changes are only allowed when you’re able to be confirmed on a new flight, however routing can not be changed for standby flights.

As you can see most airlines offer same day travel changes, meaning if you need to change your flight the day of departure, you’re able to do so, without having to purchase a new ticket. In most cases, if you have elite status with the airline, there’s no charge to make same day travel changes.

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