In the not-too-distant past, travelers were practically stuck with a flight once they booked it, as airlines would charge hundreds of dollars to change a flight. Then, the COVID-19 pandemic rocked the airline industry. To get travelers to start booking flights again, many airlines — including American Airlines — did the previously unimaginable: They eliminated change fees.

Now, travelers can change most flights with no fee — whether that's changing to a different flight on the same day or rebooking themselves on an entirely different route.

This change opens a golden opportunity for those seeking the cheapest flight possible. If you find a cheaper flight, you can change to that cheaper flight and capture the price difference as a travel credit.

Let's dig into how American Airlines' change fee policy works and show you how to rebook and save on American Airlines when the price drops.

What you need to know

Does American Airlines charge to change flights?

In late 2020, American Airlines removed change fees for most airline tickets. Now, you can cancel or change most American Airlines tickets without paying hundreds of dollars in change fees. You'll only have to pay the difference in price if the new flight is more expensive than what you paid for your original flight.

However, not all American Airlines tickets offer free changes and cancellations. American’s basic economy fares are nonchangeable and nonrefundable. Also, American Airlines only eliminated change fees for flights originating in North or South America. Change fees of up to $750 still apply to flights starting outside North or South America.

Does American Airlines refund flights?

The only potential ways to get an actual refund (not a travel credit) when canceling an American Airlines flight are by booking a refundable fare, canceling within 24 hours of booking the flight — or by purchasing travel insurance.

Otherwise, American Airlines will provide a refund for a nonrefundable ticket only if one of these situations is true:

American changed your flight schedule by more than four hours, and you opt to cancel.

American changes your flight schedule by 90 minutes or more within 72 hours of your originally scheduled departure time, and you opt to cancel.

You receive military orders or change in duty.

The death of the passenger or a traveling companion.

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Booking a refundable fare

If you're concerned about whether or not you'll need to cancel your flight (and don't want to get stuck with a flight credit), American Airlines generally offers the option to pay a bit more during the booking process to make your flight fully refundable.

However, now that American Airlines allows free changes on most flights, it will likely make more sense to book a nonrefundable fare and cancel for a travel credit if your plans change.

Changes within 24 hours of booking

If you find a cheaper American Airlines flight and are still within 24 hours of booking your flight, simply cancel the original booking and rebook a new ticket at a lower price.