Airlines were waiving change fees ahead of Tropical Storm Gordon, which appeared likely to make landfall along the Gulf Coast late Tuesday or early Wednesday.
After moving across South Florida on Monday, Gordon could be a hurricane before moving onshore near the Louisiana-Mississippi border, according to projections from the National Hurricane Center.
Gordon did not significantly impact Monday’s flight schedules, and it was unclear if that would change Tuesday as the storm approached the Gulf Coast. Nonetheless, several big airlines – including American, Delta and Southwest – had waived change fees by Monday evening for airports in the storm’s path.
The weather waivers allowed travelers to make changes – with some fine print – to try and avoid the storm. Details varied by carrier, but the policies generally allowed eligible customers to make one change without paying extra.
Only flights on certain dates were covered by the waivers, with the details again varying by carrier. Those wishing to reschedule their flights also were given a window to do so; flights moved beyond an airline’s booking window typically would be exempt from change fees, though a new fare would apply.
Scroll down for details and links to change fees in place at big U.S. airlines as of 6:55 a.m. ET on Tuesday, Sept. 4:
American Airlines
Airports covered: Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Destin/Fort Walton Beach, Florida; Gulfport/Biloxi, Mississippi; Lafayette, Louisiana; Mobile, Alabama; New Orleans; Panama City, Florida; Pensacola, Florida.
Eligible if booked to travel: Sept. 3-5.
Rebooking window: Rebooked travel must begin by Sept. 9. Fare differences may apply for flights booked beyond that date.
Delta Air Lines
Airports covered: Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Destin, Florida; Gulfport/Biloxi, Mississippi; Lafayette, Louisiana; Mobile, Alabama; New Orleans; Panama City, Florida; Pensacola, Florida.
Eligible if booked to travel: Sept. 4-5.
Rebooking window: Rebooked travel must begin by Sept. 9. Fare differences may apply for flights booked beyond that date.
Frontier Airlines
Airports covered: Jackson, Mississippi; New Orleans; Pensacola, Florida.
Eligible if booked to travel: Sept. 4-6.
Rebooking window: Rebooked travel must begin by Sept. 28. Origin and destination cities may be changed. Fare differences may apply for flights booked beyond that date.
Southwest Airlines
Airports covered: Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Fort Myers, Florida; New Orleans; Pensacola, Florida.
Eligible if booked to travel: Sept. 3 for Fort Lauderdale and Fort Myers; Sept. 4-5 for Pensacola; Sept. 3-5 for New Orleans.
Rebooking window: Customers may rebook within 14 days of their original date of travel between the original city-pairs. Travel booked beyond 14 days may involve a recalculated fare, though customers can apply funds from the unused portion of their travel toward the fare…
