Major airlines eliminating change fees to help boost leisure travel, according to Clark Howard

In an effort to get more people booking flights and traveling again, WOKV’s Consumer Warrior Clark Howard says much of the airline industry is eliminating change fees.

“So, United [Airlines] surprised everybody by eliminating the $200 change fee on most fares, except the cheapest ones--basic economy for domestic travel-- and almost immediately Delta, American, Alaska, all pretty much matched what United did more or less,” says Howard.

Howard says with business travel almost completely shut down, airlines are going after leisure travelers.

“Well, leisure travelers know if you buy a ticket from Southwest at any time, you don’t ever have to worry about a change fee. And so, people have been gravitating to Southwest. They’ve been stealing market share from the other airlines. So, United’s move followed by the others is to deal with the market strength of Southwest, ” Howard says.

Change fees likely won’t be returning to the industry for at least two or three years, according to Howard.

Get more consumer news and advice from Clark Howard in his latest on-demand podcasts.

Cox Media Group