Does 24-hour grace period apply after paid changes to airline reservations?
As I understand it, airlines in the USA are required to provide a 24-hour grace period after making a new reservation, during which the reservation can be cancelled or changed for free.
However, what is the rule with regards to paid changes to existing reservations? Suppose I've made a reservation a long time ago, and then I've changed it today and paid a large change fee. Do I get a new 24-hour grace period after paying the change fee, in case I've made a mistake and need to change it again? Or does the grace period apply only to brand-new reservations?
I'd appreciate an answer on both (1) what the law says and (2) what is the actual common practice with most US carriers (United is the one I'm most interested in).
Best Answer
The DOT legislation that requires the airline to give a 24 hour grace period does NOT apply to flight changes or change fees, only to new reservations. If you need to change your flight again within a 24 hour period of a prior change, then a new change fee will need to be paid.
Officially United Airlines does enforce a second change fee in cases like this, however if the change made was incorrect then I would suggest calling and asking for an exception - they are certainly allowed to waive the change fee. If you do not have any success, ask for a supervisor and see an if exception can be made.
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Can you change an airline ticket within 24 hours?
The 24-hour rule is an informal name for a United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) regulation that ensures that a customer who books a non-refundable ticket at least seven days ahead of the scheduled departure direct from the airline on a flight going to or from the US can cancel or change that ticket free ...Do airlines have to give you 24 hours to cancel?
The catch: You have to cancel within 24 hours of booking. Airlines are required by the U.S. Department of Transportation to refund your money if you cancel a flight within 24 hours of booking unless they offer a free 24-hour hold option when shopping for tickets.Can I cancel if airline changes flight time?
Schedule Change/Significant Delay - A consumer is entitled to a refund if the airline made a significant schedule change and/or significantly delays a flight and the consumer chooses not to travel.Do I have to accept a flight time change?
Usually, you don't have to do anything when you agree to the schedule change. Just present yourself at the airport after checking-in. If you want a different flight or a refund, however, you must contact the airline.The 24 Hour Rule: The Secret to Free Flight Cancellation
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Answer 2
The 'regulations' are on page 23129 and despite the useful context as to how they became what they are, there is nothing specific there about paid changes. However I believe the intent is clear enough and yes, there is a further 24-hour grace period (provided the reservation is still for at least one week ahead).
Accordingly, we are modifying this provision to require carriers to hold the reservation for twenty-four hours only if a consumer makes the reservation one week (168 hours) or more prior to a flight’s scheduled departure. After that time, a carrier is no longer required to hold a reservation without payment for any period of time. The Department believes that this modification strikes the right balance between a consumer’s desire to make travel plans and shop for a fare that meets his or her needs, and the carrier’s need for adequate time to sell seats on its flights.
Is the revised booking a 'reservation'? IMO it is.
Is the new reservation the same as the old one? IMO it is not.
It is just as much a 'new' reservation as the example for PAX B below.
What is the intent? - a balance between consumer interests and airline economics. A revised booking by PAX A has exactly the same effect on airline economics as the same booking by PAX B (who makes it 'first time around' at the same time as PAX A's revised booking). At that time PAX B is allowed the grace period and there is nothing I can see that disallows it to PAX A.
In so far as PAX A has already made some payment (showing more sign of intent to travel than PAX B, if PAX B has not paid anything) PAX A has less adverse impact on airline economics than PAX B.
Regarding 'custom and practice' please see CONSUMERIST.
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