U.S. airlines expand waivers for changing tickets through April

[March 10, 2020]  WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The largest U.S. airlines are allowing passengers to rebook tickets through April 30 without paying fees to change flights citing uncertainty about traveling during the coronavirus outbreak.

Delta Airlines Inc <DAL.N> said Monday it would waive change fees for customers who had previously booked tickets and are scheduled to travel through April 30.

Delta and other major U.S. airlines previously announced they would waive the change fees for people buying new tickets through March 31. Customers will still be responsible for any change in ticket prices when they rebook.

United Airlines Holdings Inc <UAL.O> said later on Monday it would also waive change fees for people who had previously bought tickets.

American Airlines Group Inc <AAL.O> also plans to announce it will also waive the change fees through the end of April for people who previously bought tickets, a person briefed on the matter said.

The expanded waivers come as major U.S. airlines have reported a sharp drop off in travel demand and have cutback on flights, especially to Asia and Italy where the virus has hit hardest.

United said it was making the change due to "the high level of uncertainty regarding travel because of COVID-19."

Travelers sit in a lounge area as Delta Air Lines plane park at a gate in McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S., February 14, 2020. Picture taken February 14, 2020. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton

It said passengers must rebook travel by the end of the year or 12 months from the issue date, whichever is earlier, and the new date must be within 12 months from the original ticket issue date.

Some U.S. lawmakers have called on the Transportation Department to order the airlines to drop the change fees.

U.S. carrier Southwest Airlines Co <LUV.N> does not charge change fees.

(Reporting by David Shepardson in Washington; Editing by Christopher Cushing)

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