Winter Storm Flight Waivers: How to Change Your Flight for Free Before the Snow
How airline weather waivers work, how to find out if your airport is covered, what you can change without a fee, and why the phone beats the app when a storm is coming.
By WarBird Flight editors · Updated September 14, 2026 · 2 min read
What a waiver is
When a storm is forecast, airlines publish a travel alert listing affected airports and dates. Tickets touching those airports can be changed to new dates without a change fee, and usually without a fare difference, as long as the new travel falls inside a window the airline sets, often a week or two. The alert is posted a day or two ahead, sometimes only hours.
What you can change
Cancelling under a waiver gives a credit, or a cash refund if the airline later cancels the flight itself.
- Dates, within the waiver window, in the same cabin.
- Sometimes the routing or connection airport, if the original connection is in the storm.
- Not the destination, and not an upgrade.
Move early
Seats on the days before and after a storm fill fast once the alert is out. Moving the day it is published usually gets you a seat; waiting for the cancellation email usually does not. Flying a day early is the most reliable choice because the backlog after a storm can last two or three days.
Why call
Airline apps often show the change fee even when a waiver applies, and hold times at the airlines run to hours during a storm. Call (708) 866-8751: the agent checks the alert, applies the waiver, and rebooks in one call, including tickets on partner airlines.
Change rules by airline
Standard fares, summarised from each carrier's policy. Basic economy differs; the agent reads the exact rule for your ticket. Policy copy last checked September 2026.
| Airline | Rule | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Delta Air Lines | Delta removed change fees on Main Cabin and above for travel originating in the US, Canada, Europe, Africa, and the Caribbean. | Details |
| United Airlines | United has no change fees on Economy and above for travel within the US or between the US and Mexico, the Caribbean, or international destinations originating in the US. | Details |
| American Airlines | American does not charge change fees on Main Cabin and above for travel within the US, and on most international itineraries originating in North America. | Details |
| Southwest Airlines | Southwest does not charge change fees on any fare; you pay the fare difference if the new flight is more expensive. | Details |
| Alaska Airlines | No change fees on Main and First fares; fare difference applies. | Details |
| Hawaiian Airlines | No change fees on Main Cabin and above; fare difference applies. | Details |
| Air Canada | Unlike the US carriers, Air Canada still charges change fees on Standard fares; Flex and higher fares reduce or waive them. | Details |
| Lufthansa | Economy Light fares cannot be changed. | Details |
| British Airways | Economy Basic fares cannot be changed. | Details |
| Air France | Economy Light cannot be changed. | Details |
| KLM | Economy Light cannot be changed. | Details |
| Norwegian | LowFare and LowFare+ can be changed for a fee plus fare difference; Flex changes free. | Details |
| Emirates | Special fares have restricted changes with a fee plus fare difference; Saver and Flex fares change for lower fees; Flex Plus changes free. | Details |
| Qatar Airways | Lite fares change for a fee plus fare difference; Classic and Convenience have lower fees; Comfort changes free. | Details |
| Etihad Airways | Basic fares change for a fee plus fare difference; Value and Comfort have lower fees; Deluxe changes free. | Details |
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