|
AIRFARE DEALS
NEWS & ADVICE
BARK ABOUT IT
HELP
Login
|
| |  | | | | | | | | | |
 The Airfarewatchdog Blog
Airline frequent flyer fee chart
Posted by George on Sunday, July 06, 2008
It used to be that free frequent flyer tickets were really free. But not anymore. Not only are airlines increasing the number of miles required, but they're constantly adding new fees for issuing tickets, changing them, not using them, requesting them on short notice, and flying confirmed same day stand by. As usual, the airline with the fewest fees in this regard is Southwest. Continental and Northwest are better than most, and, as the chart below shows, Delta among the worst. In addition to the fees listed here, you can expect to pay taxes, passenger facility charges, and the September 11 security fee, along with other government imposed surcharges. And if you're flying internationally with a child age 2 or under, even if it's sitting in your lap, you may be hit with a charge of 10% of your fare plus even fuel surcharges, and that's even if you're traveling on a "free" ticket (on a business class ticket to Australia, that might make you think twice about flying "free"). Fees listed were accurate at time of posting but can change at any moment, and probably will. Please comment if you believe that you've found a change or inaccuracy (or just to vent) and we'll check it out. Keep in mind, too, that depending on your frequent flyer membership level, some of these fees may not apply to you, or they may be lower than shown. Updated Dec. 10 2008.
Airline Program
|
Standard Processing fee |
Phone or in person fee |
“Close in” Processing fee |
Redeposit/
Change fee
|
Confirmed same day standby |
Mileage reactivation |
|
| AirTran A+ Rewards (888-898-4782) |
$0 |
$10 otherwise |
$0 |
$60 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
| Alaska Mileage Plan (800-252-7522) |
$0 ($25 on partner airlines effective Nov 1) |
$15 for phone reservations plus mileage required may be 5000 to 10000 higher |
$0 |
$0 if cancelled within 3 days of booking;
otherwise $100 fee applies for redeposit or change |
Standby travel is not permitted on one-way award ticket itineraries. Standby travel on earlier flights is permitted on the return portion of a round-trip award ticket |
$75 for one year |
|
American AAdvantage
(800-882-8880) |
$5 (eff. Mar 1, up to $150 to upgrade awards on most discounted domestic fares, up to $600 for foreign routes) |
$20 by phone, $30 in person |
20 to 7 days prior: $50; 6 days to 2 hours: $100 |
Redeposit: $150 for first ticket, $25 each for additional tickets on same account; Change: $150 (MileSAAver tickets only; no fee if only date or time is changed) |
$35 |
$50 per 5000 miles plus $30 fee |
|
Continental OnePass
(800.621.7467) |
$0 (up to $300 RT for non elites to upgrade to domestic first; up to $1000 to upgrade to international businessElite) |
$25 by phone (airport booking not allowed) |
20 days or fewer prior: $75 (less for Platinum) |
$50 $150 ($0 for Platinum) |
Not allowed on OnePass tickets |
N/A |
|
Delta SkyMiles
(800-323-2323) |
$0
additional $25 for partner airline award
|
$25 $20 |
8-20 days prior: $75; 4-7 days: $100; 3 or fewer days: $150 (waived for Platinum members and some holders of Delta Amex Cards) |
Changes: $150 if 3 or fewer days before dep; $100 4-7 days; $75 8-20 days; $0 21 days or more prior to dep; Redeposit: $100; most fees waived for Platinum members |
$50 (waived for Gold/Platinum) |
N/A |
|
| Frontier Early Returns (866-263-2759) |
$0 |
$0 |
$0 |
$75 |
Passenger pays the difference between their original ticket and the new ticket at its price that day |
$50 1 - 4,999 miles
$100
5,000 - 19,999 miles
$200 20,000 - 49,999 miles
$300 50,000 - 99,999 miles
$400 100,000 or more miles |
|
| JetBlue TrueBlue (800- 538-2583) |
$0 |
$10 by phone |
N/A |
Change: $100; Redeposit fee: N/A (unused awards are forfeited) |
$40 |
N/A |
|
Northwest WorldPerks
(800-447-3757) |
$0 |
same as Delta |
same as Delta |
same as Delta |
$50 |
N/A |
|
| Southwest Rapid Rewards (800-435-9792) |
N/A (reward sent automatically |
N/A (reward sent automatically) |
N/A |
$0 |
$0 (if fare has increased, passenger must pay difference) |
$50 (for awards that have been expired for fewer than 24 months) |
|
| Spirit Airlines Free Spirit |
N/A (online only) |
N/A (online only) |
N/A (requests must be made at least 7 days prior to travel); Mileage discounts for tickets booked 21 or more days in advance of travel |
Redeposit: $70; Change: $70 if more than 7 days from departure; not permitted within 7 days |
|
N/A |
|
| United MileagePlus (800-421-4655) |
$0 (eff. Jan 12, 2010, up to $50 from most discounted fares to upgrade on domestic routes; up to $500 RT on international routes) |
$25 by phone, $30 in person |
No charge as of July 30, 2009. |
$150 (route change or redeposit); $75 change of flight number or travel date only within 7-20 prior to departure; $100 6 days or less prior; free otherwise |
Domestic: $150; International $150-$250 |
.125 cents per mile plus $25 fee |
|
| US Airways Dividend Miles (800-428-4322) |
$25-$40 |
$25 by phone, $30 in person |
$50 online, $75 otherwise |
$150 domestic, $250 international |
$25 |
$50-$400 |
|
| Virgin America elevate (877.359.8474) |
$0 |
|
|
Redeposit: not allowed |
$75 |
N/A |
|
|
Users are solely responsible for the content of the comments posted. Comments are subject to
the Terms of Use and do not necessarily reflect the opinion or approval of AirfareWatchdog.com.
AirfareWatchdog.com does not control or endorse the content, messages or information posted. Reader CommentsClick here to post a comment
For late June travel, a "free" award round trip in Upper Class on Virgin Atlantic from JFK to LHR cost US$453.89: the Fare was USD .00, however with "Taxes/Fees/Charges/Surcharges YQ242.00 GB157.29 XT54.60" the Total charges = USD 453.89!!
by Atlantic-traveller on
Monday, July 07, 2008
Re:UAL Mileage tickets, people should also know that those ticket from before May 15, 2008, fall under the old guidelines, at least for the first change.
by Sis on
Monday, July 07, 2008
You can update the United charges. You cannot search and book partner reward travel using United's on line reward tool. You must call. So you incur the $25.00 charge for speaking to a human. I just booked on US Airways and had to pay.
by Michael Baker on
Monday, July 07, 2008
Although I am a frequent flyer with about 35 domestic business flights a year, this is why I rack up most of my "miles" toward free vacation travel by using my Capital One cc. The airlines' mileage programs, with the possible exception of SWA's Rapid Rewards, are practically useless unless you're in a position to plan nearly a year in advance and, due to business obligations, we are not able to do that. Of course, these days being "rewarded" for brand loyalty by exposing yourself to more hassles is a dubious honor.
by Jennene Colky on
Wednesday, July 09, 2008
I think that American does not charge a change fee if you keep the same date and carier
by ed rab on
Friday, July 25, 2008
Continental is raising their fees as of August 17th Confirmed and ticketed prior to departure Fee Per Transaction
One pass Plat elite
Travel 21 days or beyond $0 $0
Travel 15 to 20 days $75 $0
Travel within 4 to 14 days $75 $35
Travel 3 days or less $75 $50
by Fanny Farkas on
Friday, July 25, 2008
I think these charges are just plain outrageous! They want you to fly their airlines, charge you all kinds of service fees, fuel charges, baggage fess etc and now because you chose their airline, you have to pay to use the miles you paid for and earned! What's the point!
by Carolyn on
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Lots of luck trying to find a 25000 mile roundtrip on Continental. A real ripoff.
Few and far apart. They want to charge 50000. Beware of them. If I can find a trip I will end my association with them..
by Starbuck777 on
Friday, August 01, 2008
I just had to pay a mandatory $50 in fees just to cash in my $99 companion ticket because there is no way to do it online. I only saved $74 on a round-trip ticket from RDU to LGA on a $250 flight (taxes, fees inclusive). Add $99 to $250 and you get $349. Taxes and fees on the $99 flight: $28. (Running total: $377.) Add on to that the $25 standard processing fee and the in-person/on-phone fee of $25 because there is NO WAY TO CASH IN ONLINE. Cost for two round-trip tickets: Around $427.
by Valerie on
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
FYI: On American: Say you booked 2 award tix from your AA account. Your traveling companion will NOT get his AA account date updated for deferred mileage expiration status. Only the one booking the award seats will get his mileage date adjusted. Now, that's a bit sneaky...............
by Jill Gott on
Friday, September 12, 2008
i paid a $10 fee for my united mileage plus rewards ticket earlier this year. i can't imagine the fee has gone down since then...
by tm on
Sunday, September 14, 2008
I am very upset about the airlines putting restrictions and/or charging for frequent flyer miles. This is ridiculous! After all, it is supposed to be FREE! I think we should boycott the airlines that do any of these things...since there are so many out there that don't do that. Let's fly with those airlines that are trying to get out business instead of punish us for flying with them.
by Wanda Voorhees on
Sunday, September 14, 2008
A couple of days ago, I saw that American had lowered the fares for 3 upcoming tickets that I previously purchased. One was almost $200 lower and the others about $150 each. In the past AA would issue a travel voucher for the difference. Now there is a $150 change fee to get each voucher! Yikes - no change except in their price - they caused the change! Needless to say I am not happy. My elite status means nothing and I am about to say forget staying with AA! The AA employee on the phone said - "we're just trying to stay in business." Well honey - you better hope we keep flying on your airline!
by Lynn on
Monday, September 15, 2008
Can you add Air Canada to your fee charts? I would like to compare them to Alaska Airlines for my travel plans. Thanks!
by desktraveler on
Friday, September 19, 2008
I just tried to book 2 Business Class tickets to Italy on BA the Freq. Flyer program. They had an incredible special that lasted about 5 days where you could get 2 tix for the mileage points of one. Fantastic! I booked them after a lot of time shifting dates and times. Terrific. Then they wanted to charge my credit card over $1000 for the "fees and surcharges" for the 2 FREE tickets. That is absolutely outrageous! The airlines should be exposed for the myths they have created about rewarding loyal clients with so-called bonuses and incentives. Of course, I can't go on my trip to Italy.
by eej3 on
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
I am beginning to hate US Air. One can get a round trip ticket from BOS to AVL for $205. Try tto use you miles and it costs more.
by Skykpilot on
Friday, December 12, 2008
tried booking with AA on the earliest date possible for Feb. 2010 using Awards travel, what a surprise not avail., same as last year. any suggestions who to contact
by malduke on
Sunday, April 05, 2009
NWA wants to charge me .01/mile I give away to another frequent flier. That's over $225 to GIVE AWAY 20,000 frequent flier miles. If I use those same miles to book an award ticket for that same person, they only charge a $5 processing fee and award the person the miles acrued on the flight they will take. Does this make any sense other than a fee generator to NWA. What a blatant attempt at a ripoff of loyal customers.
by MrSafetyToo on
Friday, April 24, 2009
Sadly, they all do it! All airlines charge you a penny or thereabouts to "gift" your miles to someone else. (not to mention a "handling" fee, normally about $30) But this could make you feel a little better. Say your relative has an extra 5000 miles in his/her account they can't use and that's exactly the amount of miles you need to claim an award. On AA, for example, it costs about $80 to purchase the miles. A typical flight from east coast to west coast earning you about 5000 miles on a non-stop usually costs about $400..or if you frequent this site under $200......think of it as paying a mere $80 for a round trip from JFK to LAX then it's not so bad.
by Jill Gott on
Saturday, April 25, 2009
On the subject of FF programs and fees, wonder why NWA/Delta forced its FF members to switch to an American Express card? AmEx has higher membership fees, likely charges most merchants a higher discount fee (which is why many merchants refuse AmEx--thus the card is not as widely accepted as VISA or MC--my car repair shop refused my AmEx last week), and in the fine print in the new Delta Gold AmEx card's terms and conditions it essentially says for foreign transactions AmEx will charge its cardholders the HIGHEST exchange rate it can find (versus a low interbank exchange rate it has access to) and THEN tack on an ADDITIONAL 2.7% surcharge. What was the airline thinking in switching to AmEx? Surely more profits for Delta and AmEx but at the same time putting a stick in the eye of its frequent flyers. Wonder why NWA/Delta didn't negotiate a better deal for its frequent flyers from AmEx and/or use a more widely accepted card? What were they thinking?
by FinePrintReader on
Monday, June 08, 2009
Just a friendly reminder to keep the posts coming for all your airline and travel thoughts!! The political, medical and cognitive posts could be appreciated better on other blogs that carry those themes. Thanks!
by JGott on
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Airlines are generating a huge amount of animosity with the traveling public. They have the only game in town right now but so did the American auto industry in the 50's, 60's and 70's when they chose to ignore their customers with bad product/bad service. It took awhile but they suffered the consequences; lost market share/ bankruptcy etc.If I do international travel it will not be on a US airline.
by Bobo on
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Airlines are generating a huge amount of animosity with the traveling public. They have the only game in town right now but so did the American auto industry in the 50's, 60's and 70's when they chose to ignore their customers with bad product/bad service. It took awhile but they suffered the consequences; lost market share/ bankruptcy etc.If I do international travel it will not be on a US airline.
by Bobo on
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Airlines are generating a huge amount of animosity with the traveling public. They have the only game in town right now but so did the American auto industry in the 50's, 60's and 70's when they chose to ignore their customers with bad product/bad service. It took awhile but they suffered the consequences; lost market share/ bankruptcy etc.If I do international travel it will not be on a US airline.
by Bobo on
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Oslo... on a business class ticket. The moral - always be sure your ticket starts or ends in the USA!!!Thanks for sharing it.
Nice article, very helpful. Thanks!
Nike shoes USA||Air yeezy USA
by Nike shoes ! on
Friday, October 30, 2009 Post a Comment
Return to Blog listing... |
Named "Best Cheap Flight Finder" by Money Magazine, 2009 Follow us on Twitter Get the latest deals and promo codes "tweeted" to you.
Join us on Facebook Visit the AFWD Store Visit our United Kingdom Site Useful airline fee and other charts Online Travel Agencies and Aggregators
Book your air, cruises, rental cars and hotels with these links and you'll help Airfarewatchdog find you low fares.
Booking Buddy CheapAir
Merchandise
Amazon.com
Use this link to buy stuff on Amazon and we get a 6 % commission; it costs you nothing extra
|