How to Change Your Flight Date/Time

Changing a flight date or time is a common need – whether it’s due to unexpected work demands, family events, or finding a better deal. The good news is that airlines and travel agents have streamlined the process in recent years. In this comprehensive guide, we explain how to change flight date/time step by step. We cover when and how you can make changes, what fees or differences to expect, and provide tips to make the process smooth. We also highlight FTO Travel’s services and the technology (like iV Trip software) that can help manage flight changes in real time.

Airlines generally allow date/time changes, but rules vary by carrier and fare type. For example, U.S. regulations require airlines to offer free cancellations or hold reservations for 24 hours if booked a week or more before departure, but this doesn’t automatically mean free changes later on. Most carriers allow changes for a fee or fare difference. Understanding these policies up front can save time and money. In what follows, we break down the process into clear sections: checking policies, contacting your airline or agent, paying any fees or differences, and confirming the new booking.

Changing your travel plans can be stress-free if you follow the right process. First, review your airline’s change policy. Some airlines (like Delta) have eliminated change fees for many tickets originating in the U.S., but you’ll still pay any fare difference. Even when change fees are waived, you must rebook before departure to retain value. For example, Delta’s website says: “We’ve simplified travel by eliminating change fees for tickets … (excluding Basic Economy).

It’s easy to cancel, make changes, or rebook your flight online prior to departure in My Trips. If you change your ticket, sometimes your new flight costs more than your original flight. If this happens, you will need to pay the difference in price”. Always check these details on your carrier’s site or your travel agent.

7 Easy Steps: How to Change Your Flight Date/Time

1. Check Change and Cancellation Policies

• 24-hour Cancellation Window: Many airlines (especially in the U.S.) allow a risk-free cancelation or change within 24 hours of booking (if the flight is more than 7 days away). This means you can cancel entirely for a full refund or change to a new date without penalty if done within a day of purchase. However, after 24 hours, standard fees and rules apply. Note: if you booked through a travel agency or online third-party, this 24-hour rule may not apply. The U.S. DOT explicitly states that the 24-hour rule does not legally apply to agent bookings. If you booked via FTO Travel or another agency, ask them about free rebooking windows.
• Change Fees and Fare Differences: Most airlines charge a change fee plus any fare difference between your original ticket and the new ticket. Change fees can range from $0 up to a few hundred dollars, depending on route and fare class. For instance, Delta’s change fee can be $0–$400 on international tickets (domestic US travel now has no change fee, but you still pay the fare difference). Frontier’s policy notes that “Changes may be subject to fare differences or fees depending on your fare type. Be sure to review the total before confirming”. In practice, budget or Basic Economy fares are often non-changeable (or only for a credit), whereas full-fare tickets allow changes for a moderate fee. Always check if the airline has specific rules for your fare type.
• Same-Day Changes: Some airlines permit same-day changes for a reduced fee. For example, Alaska Airlines charges a small fee (and some carriers like Southwest allow free same-day changes in many cases). If you need a very last-minute change (within 24 hours of departure), expect the highest fees and limited options.
• High Season and Peak Times: During busy travel periods, seats on your preferred new date may be limited, and fares can spike. If you must change on short notice, be prepared to pay a premium fare difference or consider alternative routing. In general, changing an itinerary early (well before departure) offers more availability and lower fees.

2. How to Change Your Flight (General Steps)

The exact steps can vary by airline or agent, but the common process is:

1. Locate Your Booking: Have your e-ticket or booking reference (PNR) and passenger last name ready. If you booked online, log in to the airline’s website or the travel agency portal (e.g. FTO Travel portal or IV Trip system).
2. Find Change/Manage Booking: On the airline’s site, go to “My Trips,” “Manage Booking,” or similar. Enter your last name and confirmation code to retrieve your booking. This is commonly labeled “Find Your Trip” or “Manage Reservations” on major carriers. For example, Frontier Airlines says: “Go to My Trips/Check-In > Enter Last Name & Confirmation Code > Search > Select Change Flights and follow the prompts.”.
3. Select New Flight: Once you’re in your booking, choose the option to change flights. You’ll then search for the new date or time you want. The system should show available flights and any fare differences. If you have flexibility, compare alternate flights to find lower fare options. Sometimes it’s cheaper to switch to a less popular flight with the same airline. If the airline system is unclear, you can ask your travel agent (like FTO Travel) to quote options.
4. Review Fees: The system will display the change fee and fare difference before finalizing. Check carefully before confirming. Remember, the fare difference is often unavoidable (if the new flight is more expensive). Some tips to minimize fees:
   • See if the airline waives fees (for example, Southwest only charges the fare difference).
   • Use any travel credits or vouchers to offset the cost.
   • If the new flight is cheaper, most airlines will give you an airline credit for the difference (e.g. Delta provides an eCredit).
5. Complete Change: If you accept the fees/differences, proceed to payment. You may need to pay immediately with the card on file or another form. After payment, the new itinerary is issued. You should immediately receive a new confirmation or e-ticket via email. Always double-check your new flight details, as system errors can happen.
6. Contact Customer Service If Needed: If the online process fails (for example, no seats appear or there’s an error), call the airline or your travel agent. Airline phone agents can often see more options or override a booking. FTO Travel’s support team is available to help rebook flights if you purchased your ticket through them. They can call the airline on your behalf or use their iV Trip backend to manage the change in real time. For DIY travelers, the airline’s reservations number is the fallback.

3. Changing Flights through FTO Travel or Travel Agents

If you booked your flight through a travel agency like FTO Travel (Fly Trip Overseas Ltd.) or an online travel portal, the process differs slightly:

• Contact Your Agent: Start by notifying FTO Travel of your needed date change. Many agencies allow changes through an email or phone call. Provide your booking code and requested new date. The agent will either process the change online or liaise with the airline. FTO Travel agents use advanced systems like the IV Trip travel software, which integrates with airline reservation systems (GDS and APIs). This means they can often perform changes quickly and see any special deals or waivers.
• Check Agency Policies: Some tickets booked through agents may incur different fees or require agent fees on top of airline fees. Ask FTO Travel whether any extra service fee applies. In many cases, the agency fee is waived if it’s an airline-initiated change (like a schedule change) or if the agency offers special support.
• Updates from the Airline: If the airline itself changes your flight (schedule change, cancellation, etc.), they are supposed to inform you or the agent. In the U.S., new DOT rules require airlines to automatically issue refunds or rebook you on new flights if they make significant changes. If you’d rather cancel than accept the new itinerary, you can get a refund. If the change is minor and you choose to accept a new date, the agent/airline should reissue the ticket with no extra fee (aside from any fare upsell, as per the DOT final rule).
• Using the Agency Portal: If FTO Travel has a client portal, you might be able to manage bookings yourself (like Sabre or Amadeus self-service). Otherwise, agents will handle it. Either way, keep records of any transaction or confirmations from the agent for your own reference.

4. Airline Policies and Fees

Airline policies on changes can be confusing. Here are key points:

• Non-Refundable vs. Refundable Tickets: Non-refundable tickets can be changed for a fee (plus difference), whereas refundable tickets often have no change fee (just pay difference). For example, Delta says “You may change your [fully] refundable ticket without paying a change fee, provided fare rules are met … you will need to pay any fare difference.”. In contrast, basic or super saver fares might incur hefty fees or not allow changes at all. Always check your fare conditions.
• Domestic vs. International: Domestic (within one country) flights often have lower fees than international. In Bangladesh, for example, domestic flight change fees are relatively modest (around 1,000–1,500 BDT, roughly $10–15) if done well in advance. Biman Bangladesh Airlines even allows the first date change free for many fares if done more than 24 hours before departure. After that, small fixed fees apply. For international flights, change fees depend on the carrier and route (see our chart below for examples).
• Same-Day Changes: If you just want to switch to a later flight on the same day of departure, many airlines allow this for a lower fee (often ~$50-$100) or free for elite members. For instance, Alaska Airlines charges $25–$50 for same-day changes. Check with your airline’s “same-day change” policy – sometimes it’s handled at the gate or via their call center.
• COVID-19 Policy Changes: Many airlines temporarily relaxed change fees during the pandemic. Check if those waivers have been extended into 2025. Airlines like Delta, United, and American have permanently eliminated change fees for most fare classes, so this is more common now. However, basic economy fares are usually still change-restricted.

Airline Comparison 

(Fees are subject to change – always confirm with the airline.)

5. Step-by-Step: Changing Your Flight (Online)

If your flight was booked online with the airline or a large OTA (Booking.com, Expedia, etc.), you can often change it yourself:

1. Log In to “My Trips” – For most airlines, go to the website and find the “Manage Booking” or “My Trips” section. Enter the passenger name and reservation code.
2. Select Change Flight – Once your itinerary appears, choose the “Change” or “Edit” option. Airlines often require you to cancel the old flight first or will simply replace it. For example, Delta’s process is: “Ensure you cancel your ticket prior to departure; then Find Your Trip > Select flight > Click ‘Change or Add Flights’ > Choose new flights > Pay fees/difference.”.
3. Pick New Date/Time – Search for the new desired date/time on the same flight or a comparable one. Be flexible: if your date is fully booked, try flights on adjacent days or different times of day. Check if splitting into two one-way tickets or adding an overnight layover makes it cheaper.
4. Review Fees and Fare Difference – After selecting the new flight, the system will show the change fee and any increase (or credit if cheaper). Confirm that all charges look correct. Major credit card or PayPal is usually required.
5. Confirm Change – Accept the terms and payment. The airline will then issue a new e-ticket. You should receive a new confirmation email immediately. Save it as proof of the change. (If you don’t get it, call to confirm the change went through.)
6. Mobile Apps – Most airlines have mobile apps that let you manage bookings. The process is similar: log in, retrieve your trip, and follow prompts to change flights. For example, Frontier’s app lets you “Retrieve” your trip with name/code, then “Change Flight”.

If online change is not working, try calling customer support. Keep your booking code handy and tell the agent the new flight you want. They will see any available options and can process it for you. If calling is not convenient, try the airline’s chat or social media support channels (many now offer chatbots or live chat).

6. Fees, Fare Difference, and Avoiding Extra Costs

• Fare Difference: When you change to a more expensive flight, you pay the difference. If the new flight is cheaper, most carriers will give you a credit for future travel (sometimes only as a voucher). The DOT notes: “Instead of paying for a change fee and a potential difference between the original ticket price and the current ticket price, it may be cheaper to request a refund for the ticket and rebook.”. In practice, compare the price of two separate one-way tickets or a new booking; sometimes canceling and rebooking is better.
• Credit Card Perks: Some premium credit cards (or airline elite status) waive change fees for you. Check if your ticket was purchased with a card that offers travel protections.
• Travel Insurance: If you have travel insurance, it may cover change fees for covered reasons (illness, emergencies, etc.). This doesn’t usually cover “I just want to change dates,” but if you have a policy, it’s worth a quick claim if applicable.
• Minimize Penalties:
  • Avoid “no-show”: If you miss your original flight without officially changing or canceling, airlines often impose extra penalties when you do eventually try to use the ticket. Always act before your flight departs, even if just to request a refund or credit.
  • Check baggage implications: Changing flights can complicate checked baggage. You may need to recheck bags with the new flight, and some airlines will not hold bags if you switch airlines.

7. Domestic Flight Tips (Bangladesh Context)

If you’re flying within Bangladesh, the process is similar but with some local specifics:

• Bangladeshi Carriers: Airlines like Biman Bangladesh, US-Bangla, and Novo Air allow online changes through their websites (often via a “Modify Trip” link). For example, Biman’s site lets you enter your booking reference and name to change dates.
• Fees: As noted, date change fees on Bangladesh domestic flights are modest (around BDT 1000–1500, roughly $10–15) when done at least a day before departure. For example, Biman’s refund/change policy shows “Domestic Flights… Date Change Fee: BDT 1,000 (before 24h) and BDT 1,500 (within 24h of departure).” While we don’t cite the PDF here, this is typical. Good news: Biman used to offer free first date change on certain fare classes if done before 24 hours prior. Always verify on the airline’s site, as these rules can change.
• Call Center and Offices: Domestic airlines have local call centers. If online change fails, call the airline’s Bangladesh service number or visit a local office. FTO Travel’s agents can also handle domestic flight changes on your behalf. They are familiar with local procedures and can expedite changes, especially in urgent cases.
• Same-Day Domestic Changes: Many Bangladeshi carriers allow same-day confirmed changes for a small fee. For example, if a flight is oversold, airlines sometimes let you move to the next flight for a token fee or even for free. Ask at check-in if this is possible.
• Government Regulations: As of now, Bangladesh has no blanket law like the US DOT 24-hour rule for airlines. That means domestic carriers set their own policies. FTO Travel keeps track of these and can advise you on the cheapest time to make your change.

Common Mistakes and Tips

• Don’t wait until the last minute: The earlier you request a change, the more options and better pricing you’ll find. If you delay until days or hours before, seats fill up and prices rise.
• Review all terms: When changing your ticket, carefully read any new ticket’s terms. For example, if switching to a ticket that is non-changeable, you could lock yourself into that new (less flexible) fare class. Always compare the final ticket rules to your original.
• Document everything: Keep screenshots or emails of your new itinerary. Check that your passport name and details are still correct (since some systems require reentry of details, mistakes can happen).
• Backup plan: If the airline’s website won’t let you change (glitches happen), try deleting cookies, using incognito mode, or a different browser. Alternatively, use the airline’s app – sometimes apps allow changes even when the website is down.
• Baggage and extras: Changing your flight won’t automatically refund ancillary purchases (like extra baggage or seat upgrades). For example, if you paid for a specific seat or extra baggage on the old flight, check if you need to re-select these for your new flight. Many airlines will carry over loyalty upgrades, but purchased extras usually need to be rebooked.
• Loyalty points: If you’re using miles or points, many airlines have special rules. Generally, award tickets can be changed by paying any fare difference in miles and possibly a nominal fee. Some carriers (like Delta and United) have no change fees on award tickets.

Related Tools and Services

It helps to use technology and resources to manage flight changes:

• Flight Search Engines: If you’re having trouble finding alternative flights through one airline, search on sites like Google Flights or Kayak for alternate flights on other airlines. If you find a better option, you can call your airline to ask for a similar itinerary or cancel your ticket (if refundable) and rebook.
• Travel Agents & Agencies: A travel agent (like FTO Travel) has industry tools to see flight availability across carriers. If you struggle online, ask an agent to help. They might even find special negotiated fares.
• Airline Notifications: Sign up for flight alerts on your airline’s app or website. If the airline changes your flight for any reason, you’ll get notified automatically and can address it immediately.
• Third-Party Bookings: If you booked via Expedia, Booking.com, or a travel site, changes usually must be made through that site. For example, log in to your Expedia account and modify the flight there, or call their customer service. They often have their own rules (which can include service fees).
• Use IV Trip/OTA Software: Behind the scenes, agencies use platforms like iV Trip (featured on FTO Travel’s site) which integrate global flight systems. FTO Travel uses such technology to manage bookings seamlessly. You can mention specific FTO Travel services or blogs, for instance linking to their Ticket Booking page or using IV Trip’s flight booking system for updates and changes.

Expert Tips

• Flexibility Saves Money: If possible, be flexible by a day or so. Changing your flight date by a day earlier or later can sometimes incur no extra cost (if the fare is the same) or a very small difference.
• Check Visa/Travel Documents: If your itinerary crosses international borders, changing dates may affect visa validity or stay durations. Confirm that your new plan still meets entry/visa requirements for each country on your route.
• Group Bookings: If traveling with others on a group booking, changing one passenger’s date may not be possible without changing all tickets. Contact the airline for group changes – they often handle these case by case.
• Refund vs. Change: Sometimes the cheapest route is to cancel and rebook. In markets where airline prices fluctuate, a refund (if allowed) and new booking can cost less than paying a hefty change fee plus fare difference. DOT points out that in some cases it’s cheaper to cancel for a refund and rebook. However, timing is key: you must cancel and get the refund processed before booking a new ticket at the earlier price.
• No Hidden Costs: The U.S. DOT mandates that any mandatory fees (like baggage fees) must be refunded if you get a flight refund. Though this is a U.S. rule, it’s a good principle everywhere: if you paid for extras and no longer fly, ask for those refunds too.
• Contact Customer Service Early: If you sense difficulty (website error, no seats available, etc.), call an airline rep sooner rather than later. They can often reopen inventory or suggest creative solutions (like routing through another city) that you might miss online.

Conclusion and Next Steps

Changing a flight date or time can be straightforward if you know the process. Key takeaways: Always check your fare rules and the airline’s change policy first. Use the airline’s online “Manage Booking” tools or mobile app to make the switch. Pay attention to any change fees and fare differences. And remember, agencies like FTO Travel are here to help – we handle flight changes for our customers, ensuring the best possible solution.

If an airline cancels or significantly changes your flight, U.S. regulations require them to offer a full refund or rebooking, so you always have options. For voluntary changes, treating it like a mini-rebooking (by searching alternate flights first) often yields the best price.

Finally, communicate with your airline or agent promptly. The sooner you act, the more choices you’ll have. As the U.S. DOT advises: “Check to see whether you have to pay a penalty or higher fare for changing your reservations”, and be aware of baggage and timing issues.

FAQs about how to change flight date

1. How do I change my flight date in Bangladesh?
   You can change your flight date online via your airline’s website or through a travel agent like FTO Travel. Use your booking reference and follow the “Manage Booking” process.
2. Is there a fee for changing a flight date?
   Yes, most airlines charge a change fee plus any fare difference. Some domestic carriers in Bangladesh offer free changes if made well in advance.
3. Can I change the time of my flight only, not the date?
   Yes, flight time changes are allowed if seats are available on the same day. Fees may apply depending on the airline.
4. Can I change my flight date online?
   Yes, most airlines and travel portals offer online tools to change flight dates. FTO Travel also provides customer support to help with online rebooking.
5. What happens if the new flight is more expensive?
   You will need to pay the fare difference between your original flight and the new one.
6. Can I change my flight at the airport?
   Yes, but it’s better to do it in advance. Same-day changes may have limited availability and higher fees.
7. Is it cheaper to cancel and book a new ticket?
   Sometimes yes—especially if your airline offers refunds or credits. Compare the total cost before deciding.
8. Are all ticket types eligible for flight changes?
   No, Basic Economy or promo fares often have strict no-change policies. Always check your fare rules before booking.
9. How can FTO Travel help with flight date changes?
   FTO Travel offers personalized support to manage flight changes quickly and efficiently using our advanced booking systems.
10. What if my flight was changed by the airline?
    If your airline reschedules or cancels your flight, you’re entitled to a refund or free rebooking. Contact FTO Travel for assistance.

Stay informed, plan ahead, and use available tools to simplify your travel changes.

Ready to adjust your plans? Contact FTO Travel now for expert help with flight changes and bookings. Visit our Ticket Booking service page or call our 24/7 support. For agencies, explore our IV Trip Travel Agency Software for real-time flight management. Don’t forget to subscribe to our blog for more travel tips for industry insights. Safe travels and happy rebooking!