Domestic Airlines Temporarily Waive Fare Difference on International Flights

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced Tuesday it will now require a negative Covid-19 test from all air passengers entering the United States. The move is aimed at limiting the spread of the coronavirus and will go into effect Jan. 26. The new rules affects those who are planning to visit the U.S. but also Americans traveling abroad as they need to get tested and how a negative result before they can head back home.

Now domestic airlines are making it easier for those that might need to change travel plans due to the new requirements. American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines all are waiving the fare difference for international flight changes.

Delta and American have announced similar policies, with travelers able to exchange tickets bought on Tuesday or earlier for international travel to the United States starting Feb. 9 or earlier. Travelers can rebook those tickets for a new travel date on or before Jan. 25 without paying the fare difference for travel in the same class of service. United has announced the same policy, except it is extending the waiver to cover travel through Feb. 15.

All three carriers have already eliminated most change fees on international flights during the pandemic, as travel demand has been heavily impacted.