Plans change — a work meeting shifts, a family event comes up, or you simply want a different date. The question is always the same: what does it cost to change a ticket you've already bought? The answer depends on two things — the airline and the fare class you booked — and the difference can be tenfold.
💶 What airlines actually charge
- Wizz Air — changing a Basic fare costs ≈$18-32 plus any fare difference; with WIZZ Flex, changes are free
- Turkish Airlines — changing an Economy Restricted fare usually carries a fee (≈$55-110); Economy Flex and Business are free to change
- Georgian Airways — economy fares are usually fee-based to change; business class is typically free
- Qatar Airways / Emirates — Saver fares carry a change fee, Flex fares are usually free to change
🎟️ Basic, Saver, or Flex — what's the difference
Most airlines sell 3-4 fare tiers on the same route — the cheapest (Basic/Saver) is often non-changeable or carries a high fee, the mid-tier (Standard) allows a change plus the fare difference, and the priciest (Flex) lets you change dates fee-free. See what Basic Economy actually means for details.
📱 How to change the date yourself
Nearly every major airline lets you change a date online or in the app — always cheaper than calling the hotline, which often adds its own service fee.
- Pull up your booking (PNR code) → "Manage booking"
- Pick a new date — the system shows the change cost automatically
- Confirm with your card — the new ticket is usually issued within minutes
💡 Tips to save money
- If your plans are uncertain, buy a Flex or Standard fare upfront — it's often cheaper overall than paying a change fee later
- Many airlines offer a 24-hour free cancellation window on the day you book — if you spot a mistake, cancel fast and rebook
- Check your travel insurance — some policies cover unplanned date changes, as outlined in the travel insurance guide
- If the price dropped for your new date, compare it against the change fee using the price-drop rebooking strategy — sometimes a fresh ticket beats the change fee
If the airline cancels the flight outright, different rules apply — see the flight cancellation guide. Compare fares and track prices on Travel365's price calendar.
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