Flight prices fluctuate constantly—sometimes hundreds of dollars within hours. Many travelers don’t realize that if the price of their already-booked ticket drops, they may be able to modify the booking and save money. With the right strategy, you can take advantage of lower fares and rebook your itinerary at a reduced cost.
This comprehensive guide explains how to monitor airfare changes, the rules airlines use to determine eligibility, and how to change flight tickets when prices drop—without losing your original booking or paying unnecessary fees.
1. Why Flight Prices Drop After Booking
There are several reasons airfare decreases:
Fare sales or seasonal promotions
Competition between airlines
Changes in demand
Lower occupancy rates
Dynamic pricing systems
Airline revenue management adjustments
New routes or additional flights added
A drop in price means you may be able to change flight tickets and secure the lower fare.
2. Can You Actually Rebook at the Lower Price?
Yes—depending on the airline and fare type.
Possible outcomes:
Full refund of the fare difference
Partial refund
Travel credit
Rebooking at reduced price
Waived change fees during promotions
However, some fares do not allow refunds even if the price drops.
3. Fare Types That Allow Lower-Price Adjustments
1. Flexible Fares
Almost always eligible
Easy to modify
Refunds often given automatically
2. Standard Economy
May be eligible if change fees are less than the price drop
Fare difference can be refunded as credit
3. Basic Economy / Saver Fares
Usually not eligible
Some airlines may allow rebooking with full forfeiture of the original fare
Knowing your fare type is essential before trying to change flight details.
4. Airline Policies on Price Drops
Policies vary widely.
Airlines that commonly issue credits for price drops:
American Airlines
Delta (in certain fare types)
Alaska Airlines
Air Canada (some fares)
JetBlue
Southwest Airlines (always fare-difference refundable)
Airlines with stricter policies:
Spirit Airlines
Frontier Airlines
Many low-cost carriers outside the U.S.
With some airlines, the only option is to fully rebook and pay penalties.
5. How to Check if Your Flight Price Dropped
✔ Use price-tracking tools
Google Flights Price Alerts
Hopper
Skyscanner Alerts
Kayak Price Tracker
✔ Monitor the airline website directly
Ticket prices can vary by time of day.
✔ Use the airline’s app
Some show real-time fare updates.
When you see a drop, decide if rebooking makes financial sense.
6. How to Change Flight After a Price Drop
Step-by-Step Guide:
1. Log into the airline’s Manage Booking page
Enter your name and booking reference.
2. Choose “Change Flight”
Select the same route but a cheaper date/time.
3. Compare the lower fare to your original ticket
If the fare is significantly lower, proceed.
4. Pay any change fee
If applicable (or check if waived by the airline).
5. Receive refund or credit
Either refunded to your card or issued as travel credit.
This is usually the easiest method.
7. Rebooking vs Changing: Which Saves More?
When prices drop, you have two options:
✔ Change Flight
Keep the same ticket
Pay/receive fare difference
Only one fee applies
✔ Cancel & Rebook
Sometimes cheaper
Especially if cancellation fee is lower than the fare drop
Ideal with flexible fares
Choosing the right option maximizes your savings.
8. Price-Match or Guarantee Policies
Some airlines offer guaranteed price protection.
Benefits:
If the price drops within a timeframe, the airline refunds the difference
No change needed
No additional fees
Check if your airline offers price-match guarantees after booking.
9. Using Travel Credits to Your Advantage
If the airline does not refund money, they may issue a travel credit.
Smart uses of credits:
Cover future upgrades
Pay for a better seat
Purchase extra baggage
Reduce cost of future flights
Book new routes
Credits help you recover value even if the fare difference isn’t refunded directly.
10. How to Change Flights Without Paying Additional Fees
✔ Look for airline promotions
Many carriers waive change fees during sales.
✔ Change on low-demand days
Mid-week flights often drop in price.
✔ Fly early morning or late night
These are the cheapest times to rebook.
✔ Monitor price drops within 24 hours
You can often rebook for free.
✔ Track fare classes
If your original fare class opens again at a lower price, reprice immediately.
11. Important Warning: Don’t Cancel Without Checking Fare Rules
Many passengers cancel their booking hoping to rebook cheaper later—but lose money due to strict cancellation penalties.
Always:
Check non-refundable restrictions
Understand how much refund applies
Confirm if the fare difference can be credited
Sometimes changing is far cheaper than canceling.
12. What If You Bought Through a Third-Party Website?
Third-party agencies have stricter policies and may not honor airline fare drops.
You may:
Need to cancel through the agency
Pay additional service fees
Lose fare difference refunds
Require agency approval to reissue the ticket
For frequent travelers, booking directly with airlines is best.
13. How to Request a Lower Fare Adjustment from Customer Service
If online tools don’t allow a reprice:
Contact:
Airline call center
Chat support
Social media teams
Ticketing offices
Script example:
“I noticed the fare on my flight dropped. Can you help me reprice or change flight details to match the new fare?”
Politeness and clarity increase your chances of approval.
14. When It’s Better Not to Change Flights After a Price Drop
Avoid making changes when:
The fare drop is small but change fee is high
You’re close to departure (fare difference may rise again)
Your fare class is nearly sold out
You risk losing better seat selections
Sometimes staying with your original ticket makes more sense.
15. Tips to Always Get the Best Deal on Airline Tickets
✔ Book early, monitor prices later
✔ Use fare alerts on multiple platforms
✔ Recheck prices weekly
✔ Use airline apps for exclusive discounts
✔ Avoid booking through OTAs for flexible changes
✔ Understand fare rules before ticket purchase
✔ Check for sales during off-peak seasons
✔ Reprice flights when there are special deals
Smart travelers save hundreds by watching for price changes and acting fast.
Conclusion
A price drop doesn’t mean you’re stuck with the original amount you paid. With the right strategies, you can often change flight tickets and take advantage of lower fares—saving money through fare difference refunds, travel credits, or price-match guarantees.
Whether you rebook, change, or request a reprice, understanding airline rules and timing your changes correctly gives you maximum value and flexibility.
