Save Money on Airfare! Step by Step Guide to Getting a Fare Adjustment

Booking airfare can be one of the most stressful parts of travel planning. Especially because it's often one of the most expensive parts of trip planning. There's always that nagging thought of "what if the price drops after I buy my ticket?" Thankfully, there have been some changes in recent years {thank you global pandemic for SOMETHING}, and you just might be able to get a fare adjustment for airline tickets you've already purchased. I'm going to walk you through step by step what I do so that you can set up price alerts easily and point out which airlines make the process the easiest!

Save Money on Airfare! Step by Step Guide to Getting a Fare Adjustment

I'm all about saving money where ever you can, when ever you can so that you can spend those savings on things you really want! Just recently, I was able to receive a $300 fare adjustment on plane tickets my husband and I purchased for a trip to visit our son on a college parents weekend. That savings will cover out hotel for a few nights and it literally only took me about 15 minutes and some careful monitoring to do!
During the pandemic, most major US airlines did away with change fees. This flexibility in pricing is still available today, and most people don't know about it! This change allows you to cancel and rebook your reservation when a fare drops {sometimes even multiple or unlimited times}, so that you can pocket the difference!

Understanding Fare Adjustment

First, you have to understand what a fare adjustment is. A fare adjustment occurs when you've already purchased your ticket and the airline lowers the price of that SAME ticket. In some cases, you can get the difference refunded, either as a credit or cash, depending on the airline's policy. This is different from canceling and rebooking-fare adjustments allow you to keep your original booking without penalty while getting to put the price difference back into your wallet!
Not all airlines offer this, and the rules vary widely. Some will only allow adjustments if you booked a refundable ticket, while others will offer this even for non-refundable fares.

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Set Up Google Flights Alert

If you're not tracking flight prices after you purchase your tickets, you might be missing the chance to snag a fare adjustment. One of the easiest {and free!} ways to get this price changes sent to your email inbox is by setting up a price alert on Google Flights. Here's how you do it!

1. Go to Google Flights
2. Enter Your Trip Details: Input the same details as your already-purchased ticket, including the departure and destination airports, dates and any preferences like non-stop flights or specific airlines.
3. Turn on Price Tracking: Once you see the search results, toggle the "track prices" option near the top of the page. Make sure you're signed into your Google account.
4. Check Your Email Settings: Google will send you email updates when prices drop. They will also send you updates when the price goes up. It can be a bit annoying, but it really only takes a quick glance to open the email and see which way the fare is headed. Make sure the email isn't heading to spam.

By tracking prices, you'll be the first to know if your ticket fare decreases, and then this is when you set to work!

Airline Policies on Fare Adjustments

Airline policies regarding fare adjustments vary. Most will only let you do this IF you have NOT purchased a basic economy ticket. Friends don't let friends book the economy fare ticket anyway! 

These are the airlines that offer fare adjustments: Alaska, American, Delta, Jet Blue, Hawaiian, United, and Southwest. Here's a breakdown of a few of those polices:

Delta Airlines: Delta has eliminated change fees for main cabin and higher fare classes on domestic flights and certain international routes. If the fare decreases, you can change your flight without a fee and receive the difference as an eCredit for future travel. Delta has also allowed me to receive a price adjustment MORE than once on the same reservation. Meaning, I found a lower fare twice and they allowed me to adjust the price twice.
American Airlines: Similar to Delta, American Airlines has removed change fees for most domestic and short-haul international flights, in main cabin and above. If you rebook at a lower fare, the difference is provided as a travel credit. 
United Airlines: United has also done away with change fees for standard economy and premium cabin tickets on domestic and select international flights. When rebooking at a lower fare, the difference is issued as a travel credit.
Southwest Airlines: Known for its customer-friendly polices, Southwest allows free changes and cancellations on ALL fare types, including the lowest fares. If you find a lower fare after booking, you can rebook, and the difference will be credited to your account for future travel. 
Alaska Airlines: Alaska has eliminated change fees for main and first class fares. If you rebook at a lower fare, the difference is provided as a credit for future travel. Saver fares {Alaska's version of Basic Economy} are generally excluded from this flexibility.

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Steps to Rebook and Secure a Fare Adjustment

1. Monitor Fare Changes: Use Google Flights price alerts to stay informed about any price drops on your booked flight. Some people create a spreadsheet or document that has the purchased fare price on it, so that you can compare the prices.
2. Verify the New Fare: You MUST make sure that the lower fare matches your original flight's date, time and cabin class. You can't receive a lower fare for a basic economy ticket if you purchased the main cabin! It has to be for the same exact flight.
3. Contact the Airline: Reach out to the airline's customer service {this is why you buy direct and not from a third party like Kayak or Expedia!} or you can manage your booking online to request a fare adjustment. When you contact them, make sure you use the term "fare adjustment".
4. Rebook at the Lower Fare: Modify your existing reservation to the new, lower fare. This stresses me out, which is why I always allow the customer service person to do this part! I don't want to cancel something and do it wrong!
5. Confirm the Credit: The fare difference in the form of an eCredit is generally sent to your email. 

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Important Things to Remember!

This is only available on the main cabin or higher fare class. This is NOT available for basic economy. Please don't buy that anyway! I'm cheap, and even I don't buy those! 
Always book directly through the airline. It only takes one bad experience booking with a third party to know that you should always book directly through the airline. Not only can you get the fare adjustment, you also get direct support from the airline for any of your needs. 
Keep in mind that the credits do expire! If you don't travel often, this may not be beneficial. You must use the credit within the time frame. Usually this just means booking {not traveling} something before the credit expires.
Policies change! Honestly, I'm surprised that this is something that airlines are still keeping in place. It was instituted during the global pandemic. Prior to that, most airlines charged a hefty fee of around $200/ticket to change a ticket, even when it was for a fare adjustment. Just know that these policies can change at any time!
It's not difficult to start this habit and I promise you, it will likely save you some money! By taking advantage of the free tools that Google Flight alerts has you can be saving money on your travel and putting those savings back into even more travel! Give it a try!

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