When plans change, many travellers refund and rebook without realising a change may be cheaper. Learn to calculate change fees versus refund-and-rebuy costs by cabin and time tier.
When plans change, refunding and rebooking isn't always optimal. A change usually costs a change fee plus any fare difference, while a refund deducts tiered fees and then you rebuy at current prices.
How to Calculate
- ✓Option A Change: change fee + (new fare − old fare if higher)
- ✓Option B Refund & rebook: refund fee + new fare (original refunded minus fee)
- ✓If the new fare is lower, a change may credit the difference; a refund loses the fee
- ✓Deep-discount tickets are often non-refundable/non-changeable—check before buying
Decision Tips
Close to departure with rising fares, changing usually wins. Early on with sharply lower new fares, refund-and-rebuy may be cheaper. When unsure, ask the airline to quote both options before deciding.
# 改期# 退票# 省钱