Alaska Airlines change and cancellation policy has until now been among the most flexible in the industry. Although the airline is not as lenient as Southwest which allows for free changes/cancellation, Alaska Airlines fees are lower than the three major legacy carriers and allows for some free cancellations. This will all change on June 5, 2018 when the airline introduces new policies which increases fee and reduces flexibility for most travelers. The good news, MVP Gold and 75K Elites will not be affected by the changes. Their travel companions, MVP Elites, and other travelers will feel the heat from Wall Street as Alaska Airline finds new ways to increase revenue and make them a less friendly airline.
24 hour free change/cancellation policy
All airlines must allow for some type of free cancellation if a ticket is purchase 7 days in advance of travel. Currently, Alaska Airlines allows for any ticket purchased within 24 hours to be cancelled free of charge, even for same day travel. Starting June 5, 2018 the cancellation policy will only be valid for tickets purchased 25 hours before commencing travel. This change is not as restrictive as it could be, but defiantly changes flexibility. If you want flexibility within 24 hours of travel, purchase a fully refundable ticket.
Recap: Here’s what’s changing:
- The 24-hour free cancellation policy will now only apply to tickets booked for travel starting 24 hours or more from the time of purchase.
- If travel begins within 24 hours of buying your non-refundable ticket, standard change/cancellation fees of $125 will apply immediately.
Alaska Airlines Change and Cancellation Fee changes
Alaska Airlines change policy allows for customers to cancel or change their tickets free of charge if the change is made 60 days before departure. For tickets purchased now through June 5, 2018 this policy will remain in effect. Tickets that are canceled/changed in advance of 60 days only pay the fare difference or can be refunded as an electronic credit to be used within 365 days.
Starting June 5, tickets will no longer have the 60-day travel waiver. All passengers except Gold and 75K Elites will have to pay $125 to change their ticket. If the change is made within 24 hours of purchase, the $125 fee will not apply. The $125 fee will also apply if the purchase is made within 24 hours of departure.
Recap: Here’s what’s changing:
- If you change or cancel your ticket more than 60 days before departure, that change/cancellation will now be subject to a fee of $125.
- For travel that begins within the 24 hours after you purchase a ticket, the $125 fee applies immediately. For all other travel, the $125 change/cancellation fee applies starting 24 hours after ticketing.
Same Day Confirmed Changes
Alaska Airlines Same Day Confirm policy is somewhat restrictive in its current state. The current confirm same day change policy restricts changes to 6 hours before departure or 10pm the night prior for elite customers. However, for the last months passengers can change flights as early as 24 hours in advance via the app. Changes can only be made on the same day of departure with the exact same routing. A nonstop flight cannot change to a flight with a connection, or vice versa. There is an exception for red-eye flights which allows a little flexibility between the hours of 10pm and 3:59am. This fee has been $25 for customers and waived for Gold and 75ks.
Starting June 5, the same day change fee is increasing to $50. The fee will remain $25 for travel within the state of California and on shuttle flights between Anchorage and Fairbanks, Spokane and Seattle, or Portland and Seattle. Elite Gold and 75K members, along with refundable fares F, D, Y, or Z class of service will still enjoy free same day confirmed changes.
Recap: Here’s what’s changing:
- We’re removing the 6-hour window requirement, so you can request a same-day change at any time during check-in. (Already available via the app.)
- The new flight you choose will still need to be on the same calendar day as your ticketed flight.
- The same-day confirmed change fee is increasing to $50.
- Our same day confirmed change fee will now apply to non-refundable First Class award travel booked in our A class of service.
Alaska Airlines Fee Changes Final Thoughts
Alaska Airlines told investors on their Q1 quarterly call that more fees were coming. The airline is under pressure from Wall Street to increase revenue and that is exactly what they are doing. As the merger with Virgin America is basically complete and there is less competition, Alaska Airlines feels less inclined to have customer friendly policies. The changes to do not affect the airlines mid and top level elites, but does affect their travel companions. Passenger’s wallets and elites will feel the burn from these changes. Elites are affected when traveling with a non-elite companion and if making same day changes and travel changes after purchase.
Maybe Alaska Airlines would be kind enough to extend Elite travel waivers to 1 other passenger in the reservation. Oh wait, who am I kidding!?!
I personally am not impress with Alaska Airlines fee changes. Alaska Airlines is a West Coast regional airline, yet their fee structure is resembling the three major carriers. If Alaska Airlines wants to grow loyalty, customers, and market share, the airline should consider customer first polices. Southwest is the largest domestic carrier and largest carrier within California. If Alaska really wants to compete within California and beyond, maybe they should examine Southwest’s policy. Unfortunately, Alaska Airlines is instead of following Delta, United, and American on the rat race to the bottom.
