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United Airlines is permanently eliminating its ticket-change fees on most domestic flights starting on January 1, 2021.

This major change applies to standard Economy and Premium cabin tickets for flights within the 50 U.S. states, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. United Airlines is not limiting the number of times customers will change their tickers.

In addition, United Airlines is giving customers more flexibility to change their flights. Customers will be able to join the standby list for free if they want to take an earlier flight on the same day. This option will be available for travel within the United States and to and from international destinations.

Furthermore, United Airlines is the travel experience for its MileagePlus members, giving them the flexibility to confirm a different flight and seat (with the same departure and arrival cities on their original tickets) for free.

Currently, the carrier’s ticket-change fee is $200 and the same-day change fee is $75.

The ticket-change fee is one of the many add-ons and other costs that airline companies implemented to generate more revenues over the years.

United Airlines and other carriers are looking for ways to convince people to start traveling again as the negative impact from the COVID-19 pandemic continues to increase. People are afraid to travel via airplanes and other public transportations because they are afraid of getting infected by the disease.

United Airlines will no longer follow the same playbook

Scott Kirby, the CEO of United Airlines, announced the decision on Sunday in a press statement and video message to customers.

According to Kirby, "Change is inevitable these days – but it's how we respond to it that matters most. When we hear from customers about where we can improve, getting rid of this fee is often the top request.”

"Following previous tough times, airlines made difficult decisions to survive, sometimes at the expense of customer service. United Airlines won't be following that same playbook as we come out of this crisis. Instead, we're taking a completely different approach – and looking at new ways to serve our customers better."

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