US Airlines’ Upgrade Trap: Is Rebooking Better?

US Airlines Upgrade Trap: Rebook to Save More

A review of more than 20 upcoming flights on Delta, American Airlines, and United Airlines has revealed that in most cases, upgrading from economy to a higher cabin after purchasing a ticket costs more than cancelling and rebooking the same seat in that cabin. The difference in costs is often significant.

Comparing Upgrade Costs and Rebooking Prices

The analysis compared upgrade offers with the price of booking directly into the higher cabin. In several cases, the gap was substantial. For example, on a United Airlines flight, rebooking saved $379, while on a Delta flight, the saving was 10,000 SkyMiles. American Airlines offered an upgrade for 99,600 miles on a Sioux Falls to Aruba trip, but rebooking the same seat in first class required only 46,500 miles.

Pandemic-Era Changes Affecting Fares

These findings are partly due to changes introduced during the pandemic, when U.S. carriers removed change and cancellation fees. Travellers who avoid basic economy fares can now cancel and rebook at lower total costs, often undercutting the price of a post-purchase upgrade.

Delta Shows Most Frequent Disparities

Delta displayed the highest number of pricing gaps, with multiple examples where rebooking saved passengers tens of thousands of SkyMiles or hundreds of dollars. Similar but fewer savings opportunities were observed with American Airlines and United Airlines.

Why Travellers Should Compare Before Upgrading

While the discrepancies may stem from separate pricing systems for upgrades and fares, the findings make it clear that travellers should always compare rebooking costs before accepting an upgrade offer. Doing so could result in substantial savings in cash or miles.