LATAM Airlines offers flexibility in changing your flight, though the specifics of the flight change policy depend on the fare class you purchased and the type of ticket. LATAM Airlines, which operates flights in South America, North America, Europe, and Oceania, provides various options for managing your booking, but understanding the terms and conditions related to flight changes is crucial to avoid unnecessary fees or complications. Here’s a breakdown of LATAM flight change policy:
Latam Airlines Flight Change Policy:
1. Understanding LATAM’s Fare Classes
LATAM offers different fare types, and each comes with varying levels of flexibility. These include:
- Promo: The most basic and restrictive fare type. Changes to this ticket are often not allowed, or they come with significant fees.
- Light: Offers some flexibility, though changes may still be limited and often come with a fee.
- Plus: More flexibility than the Light fare, with fewer restrictions on changes, but still may include a fee.
- Top: The highest fare class with the most flexibility, including easier changes and fewer penalties.
In general, the more expensive and flexible the fare type, the easier it will be to change your flight without incurring hefty fees.
2. General Rules for LATAM Flight Changes
LATAM Airlines allows passengers to change their flight under certain conditions, but the policies depend on the specific fare rules attached to your ticket. In most cases, you’ll need to pay a change fee and any difference in the fare if the new flight is more expensive. These fees can vary depending on factors like:
- Destination and route: International flights might have different fees compared to domestic flights.
- Time of change: If you change your flight closer to your departure date, the fees may be higher.
- Ticket type: As mentioned, the fare class you selected at the time of booking can significantly influence the costs and flexibility for changes.
3. LATAM’s Flight Change Fees
For most bookings, LATAM applies a flight change fee, which can range from $50 to $200 depending on factors such as:
- Domestic vs. international flights: Domestic flight changes may be cheaper than international ones.
- Time before departure: Changing a flight well in advance can reduce the change fee, while last-minute changes may incur a higher fee.
- Class of service: Higher service classes like Plus or Top often allow for reduced or waived change fees.
In addition to the change fee, you’ll be responsible for any fare difference between the original and new ticket. If the new flight is more expensive, you will be charged the difference.
4. How to Change Your LATAM Flight
To change a flight with LATAM, you can follow these steps:
- Online: Visit the LATAM website, log into your account, and go to the “Manage Booking” section. Select the flight you want to change and follow the prompts to modify your ticket.
- Customer Service: You can also contact LATAM’s customer service by phone or through their online chat service to request a flight change. However, doing so may be subject to longer wait times, especially during peak travel seasons.
- Airport Counter: For last-minute changes or requests, you can visit a LATAM airport counter. However, this may come with additional fees, especially if you’re changing your flight close to departure.
5. Changing Your LATAM Flight within 24 Hours
LATAM Airlines offers a 24-hour change policy for certain tickets. If you book your flight more than seven days in advance, you can make changes within 24 hours of booking without a change fee, provided you make the change directly through LATAM’s website. However, if your new flight is more expensive, you will still be responsible for the fare difference. This policy can be helpful if you need to adjust your travel dates soon after making the booking.
6. LATAM Flight Changes for COVID-19
During the COVID-19 pandemic, LATAM introduced more flexible flight change policies, allowing passengers to change their flight without penalty. While many of these measures were temporary, LATAM has continued to offer some flexibility for flight changes.
Read Also: Name Change on LATAM Tickets
For example, LATAM may waive the change fees in certain situations, especially if you need to adjust your travel due to travel restrictions or health concerns. Passengers should check LATAM’s official website for the latest information on any special provisions.
7. Canceling or Rebooking a LATAM Flight
If you decide not to change your flight but instead want to cancel it, LATAM’s cancellation policy also comes with its own set of rules and fees. In most cases, tickets are non-refundable unless you purchased a refundable fare. However, LATAM allows you to rebook your canceled flight, with the applicable change fees and fare differences.
Conclusion
LATAM Airlines provides various options for changing flights, but the flexibility largely depends on the fare type purchased. Passengers with more expensive fare types, such as Plus or Top, will generally have fewer restrictions and lower fees for making changes. Regardless of your fare type, it’s important to check the specific terms of your ticket and act early if you need to modify your flight to minimize any additional charges. Always consider the potential fare difference and change fees when planning your change, and consult LATAM’s website or customer service for the most up-to-date policies.