Airlines Drop Penalties for Flight Changes

American Airlines said it will waive its usual penalty for changing reservations for anyone traveling to, from or through Mexico from Saturday, April 25 through May 6. The policy applies to anyone who bought their ticket before Saturday. Customers ticketed to travel on AA to or from Mexico may change flights without penalty as long as the original booking inventory is available. The policy affects travel April 25 - May 6, 2009 for tickets issued no later than April 24, 2009.    

AA said one ticketed change is allowed, and no change fee will apply as long as the original booking inventory is available. If customers would prefer not to fly to Mexico, American says customers can change their destination. www.aa.com.

United Airlines is offering travel waivers. The policy impacts travel to, from or through Mexico City and covers tickets purchased on or before April 26 - 30, 2009. Passengers are urged to check flight status online. “If a travel waiver applies to your flight, you can reschedule your travel through EasyCheck online or contact your travel agent or United Reservations for assistance.” www.united.com.        

Continental is providing passengers option to re-schedule or re-route to Mexico, without penalty, if passengers are ticketed to or from Mexican cities. “If your flight has been cancelled, a refund to the original form of payment can be requested. If you are traveling using a OnePass Reward, redeposit fees will be waived. Travel must be completed by the original validity dates specified on the ticket and changes must be confirmed in the same class of service as the original ticket. The value of the ticket may also be used towards purchasing. www.continental.com.

The Associated Press reports that Grupo Mexicana said international passengers traveling to Mexico City, or those who are required to catch connecting flights at the Mexico City airport, may reschedule their flights and/or travel dates at no extra charge. Mexicana passengers must be scheduled to travel between April 24 and April 30, the AP reports. www.mexicana.com.