Premium travel service since 2014
Sales.TravelSales.Travel
Support/Flights/Change departure date
Flights · Changing a booking

How to change your departure date

IVIgor VoroninUpdated 18 May 20266 min read11 240 read

You can move your flight right inside the booking — usually it’s an airline fee plus a fare difference. The Emirates change fee starts from around € 80, flexible fares move for free, and non-refundable fares and low-cost carriers often can’t be changed at all.

In short

Open your booking in your personal account → “Change dates”, pick a new flight and review the total: change fee + fare difference. Within 24 hours of payment the change is usually free. If the airline itself reschedules the flight, we’ll move you to the nearest convenient flight at no extra cost.

01 / WhereWhere to change the flight in your account

A change is made inside the booking, not by cancelling and rebooking — this keeps your fare and earned miles. Open “My trips”, select the flight and click “Change dates”.

Check the fare rules firstThe flight card shows an “Exchange terms” line. If it says “Exchange not permitted”, the “Change dates” button will be inactive and the only option is buying a new ticket.

02 / WhenWhen a change is possible at all

  • Flexible fares (Flex / Flexible). Change permitted, usually no fee — you pay only the difference if the new flight is more expensive.
  • Standard fares. Change permitted for a fixed fee plus the fare difference.
  • Non-refundable / promo (Saver, Light). As a rule, exchange is forbidden; sometimes possible with a high fee.
  • Low-cost carriers (Wizz Air, Ryanair, Pegasus). Not a change but a paid flight-swap service under their rules, often pricier than a new ticket.
24-hour grace periodOn many fares, within the first 24 hours after payment the date can be changed or the ticket cancelled free of charge. If you mistyped the dates when booking — fix it right away, don’t wait.

03 / How muchHow much a change costs

The total is always two parts: a change fee (fixed, by fare) and a fare difference (if a seat in your class costs more on the new date). Below are typical fees for a long-haul carrier; we always show the exact figures before payment.

Fare classChange feeFare differenceChange
Flex / FlexibleFreePay up if higherAllowed
Special / Standardusually from € 80Pay up if higherAllowed
Saverusually from € 150Pay up if higherOften forbidden
Light / PromoNot permitted
Low-costfrom € 40 per serviceFull differencePaid option only
The fare difference can exceed the feeThe change fee is fixed, but the fare difference depends on how many seats remain on the new date. On peak dates and at the last minute the difference can be several times the fee — sometimes a fresh ticket is cheaper.

04 / If the carrier moved itWhen the airline reschedules

This is called a schedule change. If the airline itself changes the time — even by an hour — or cancels the flight, you’re entitled to a free rebooking onto the nearest convenient flight or a full refund. No fees and no fare difference apply here.

We’ll message you firstOn a schedule change you’ll get an email and a push with options. If the offered flight doesn’t suit you, reply to the email or call 8 800 1000-646 and we’ll find another one for free.

05 / HowChanging it step by step

1

Open the booking and click “Change dates”

Account → “My trips” → the flight you need. If the button is active, your fare allows an exchange.

BookingR-EK488-T7C2
Current flight · 12 JunDXB → SVO
Change dates →
2

Pick a new date and flight

A price calendar opens. Flights available without a fare top-up are highlighted green, pricier ones gold.

3

Review the total: fee + difference

The system shows the change fee on one line and the fare difference on another. No hidden charges: what you see is what’s charged.

4

Confirm and get the new ticket

After payment an updated e-ticket arrives by email and the old flight is cancelled automatically. We carry over seats and services where the airline allows.

06 / FAQFrequently asked

Can I change only the return flight?

Usually yes, if the fare permits an exchange. The fee and difference are calculated on the segment you change; the outbound stays as is.

If the new flight is cheaper, do I get the difference back?

As a rule, no: a downward difference isn’t refunded on an exchange, though no fee on top of it is added either.

How many times can I change the date?

Most fares set no limit on the number of exchanges, but the fee and difference apply to each change separately.

Is a change a new ticket or the same one?

It’s the same ticket with a new date — the number and miles are kept. A new ticket is bought only when the fare forbids an exchange.

Did this answer help?

Ask an operator
92% of readers found this helpful · 11 240 ratings
Read alongside this

Continue your preparation