The Guide to Alaska Airlines Flight Changes

For anyone who needs to change their airline ticket, rest easy knowing that the Alaska flight change policy is generous, the process is fairly straightforward and it typically doesn’t take more than a few minutes to wrap up.

Let’s get started.

Alaska has three different types of paid fares — Saver, main and first — and there are different flight change policies for each type of fare, plus one for award flights.

Saver fares

Saver fares are the least expensive, akin to a basic economy ticket. They’re also the most restrictive, meaning that they’re not eligible for any type of changes, refunds or cancellations.

To make changes on Saver fares, you’d need to first cancel, then rebook.

The only way to get a cash refund for a Saver flight is to cancel it within 24 hours of booking. However, you can cancel a Saver fare up to 14 days before travel and get 50% of the fare, plus the full taxes and fees, back as a travel credit.

» Learn more: How to cancel an Alaska Airlines flight

Main or first class fares

Main and first class fare customers can make changes for free, as long as the flight isn’t departing that same day.

When you make a flight change, you’ll need to pay the difference between your original flight and the new flight you select. If the new flight costs less than the original, you’ll receive a refund.

Same-day change policy

To make same-day changes, in most cases you’ll need to pay $25-$50, but you won’t be charged a difference in fare. You can only make same day changes during the check-in window, and you must request the change prior to the departure of your original flight.

Your new desired flight must depart on the same calendar day as your originally scheduled flight, and you must keep the same origin, destination, thru and connection cities.

» Learn more: Alaska Airlines MVP elite status program: The complete guide

The same-day change fee is waived for customers with refundable tickets. It’s also waived for MVP Gold and MVP Gold 75K Mileage Plan members and those traveling in the same reservation.

If you purchased travel insurance, you might be able to get reimbursed for the cost of a new flight if you must make a change due to a covered reason.

This is also true if you booked your flight with a credit card that offers travel insurance as a built-in benefit.

» Learn more: Is an Alaska credit card worth it?

The first thing to do when you want to change an Alaska flight is to determine what type of fare you have. If it’s a Saver fare, you’re out of luck — Saver fares aren’t eligible for changes. However, if it’s within 24 hours of booking, you can cancel a Saver fare for a full refund.

If you have a main or first class fare, remember that you can make changes for free. The only thing you’ll pay for is any difference in fare. To get started, log in and find the flight you’d like to change in the “Upcoming Trips” section of your account. Select “Change Reservation,” then:

Step 1: Select the passenger(s) you’d like to make changes for.

Step 2: Choose “Change this trip.”

Step 3: Under the “Departing Flights” section, click the “Change Flight” tab.

Step 4: Select the type of fare you’d like from the dropdown menu. The selections are slightly cryptic, so we’ll decipher them here:

• Lowest main or first class: The lowest-priced main or first class fare available. While you can cancel these flights, you won’t be able to get a refund — but you can get a credit certificate for the amount of your flight or Alaska will deposit the funds into your My Wallet account.

• Refundable main or first class: A main or first class fare you can cancel and receive a full refund.

• Mileage: A fare that qualifies for an upgrade using Mileage Plan miles.

• MVP/MVP Gold/MVP Gold 75K: A fare that qualifies for MVP/MVP Gold/MVP Gold 75K members to receive a complimentary upgrade to premium or first class.

• MVP Gold Guest: A fare that qualifies for use with an MVP Gold guest upgrade code.

Step 5: Click the “Continue” button at the bottom of the page.

Step 6: Choose a new flight. Any difference in fare or credit due will be displayed to the right.

Step 7: Continue on to checkout and finalize your change(s).

Changes to Alaska flights booked with points are free. You might need to supplement with additional miles if your new flight is more expensive, but if your new flight costs less, you’ll get a refund of miles into your Mileage Plan account.

To get started, log in and find the flight you’d like to change in the “Upcoming Trips” section of your account. Select “Change Reservation,” then:

Step 1: Select the passenger(s) you’d like to make changes for.

Step 2: Choose “Change this trip.”

Step 3: Under the “Departing Flights” section, click the “Change Flight” tab.

Step 4: Select the type of fare you’d like from the dropdown menu. Here are the options:

• Lowest main or first class: The lowest-priced main or first class fare available.

• Premium economy: These seats have four inches of extra legroom. You’ll also get complimentary beer and wine and priority boarding.

• Upgradeable MVP/MVP Gold/MVP Gold 75K: A fare that qualifies for MVP/MVP Gold/MVP Gold 75K members to receive a complimentary upgrade to first class.

Step 5: Click the “Continue” button at the bottom of the page.

Step 6: Select a new flight. Any difference in fare or credit due will be displayed on the right.

Step 7: Continue on to checkout to finalize the change(s).

It’s usually easier to make flight changes online. Your flight is eligible for online changes if:

• You purchased your ticket directly through Alaska Airlines.

• No passengers have checked in for any flights on the reservation.

• Your reservation doesn't include Saver fares or government fares.

• Your reservation includes seven guests or less and/or isn't part of a larger group booking.

• Your reservation contains no more than eight flight segments.

• Your reservation is not a Mileage Plan award ticket for travel on Cathay Pacific or LATAM.

• No special services, such as pet accommodations, have been requested on your reservation.

If your reservation is not eligible for online changes, you can make changes over the phone. The number to call is 1-800-252-7522.

The Alaska flight change policy is very customer-friendly. For the most part, flight changes are free — unless you have a Saver fare or want to make a same-day change.

It’s typically easier to make changes online, but there are a few reasons why you’d need to call instead of click.