Which U.S. Airlines Are Waiving Change Fees for Wednesday–Thursday Travel

(ISLIP/LONG ISLAND, NY) U.S. airlines are easing rules for travelers hit by this week’s storms, with JetBlue and other carriers waiving change/cancel fees and, in many cases, the fare difference for affected trips. As of August 14, 2025, the move lines up with new federal rules for 2024–2025 that expand passenger rights and require automatic cash refunds when flights are canceled and you choose not to take an alternative. For Wednesday, August 13, 2025, JetBlue’s waiver includes flights to and from Islip/Long Island, NY, giving local travelers more room to adjust plans without extra costs.

JetBlue’s policy is straightforward for itineraries that meet its waiver terms. For travel on August 13, customers flying to or from listed cities, including Islip/Long Island, NY, can change flights or cancel altogether with no change/cancel fees and no added fare difference. If your itinerary fits the window, you can move your trip to a later date or cancel and choose a refund or travel credit, depending on the airline’s process.

JetBlue posts updates on its alerts page, which is the best place to check your flight’s eligibility and steps to rebook: https://www.jetblue.com/travel-alerts. Keep your confirmation emails and any alert screenshots; they help if you need to follow up.

Other airlines and comparable waivers

United Airlines continues a similar approach for weather or operational disruptions. If your flight qualifies under a United travel alert, you can switch to another United flight within the waiver window, between the same cities and in the same cabin class, without paying change fees or a fare difference. United’s alerts are updated often, and support is available around the clock online or by phone. Details are posted here: https://www.united.com/travel-alerts.

Other large carriers typically roll out comparable waivers when severe weather strikes, but the scope and dates vary by airline and storm path.

Federal resources and comparison tool

To compare what each airline promises during delays or cancellations, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) runs a public dashboard that shows rebooking policies, meal vouchers, hotel coverage for long delays, and refund rules. The official DOT resource is here: https://www.transportation.gov/airconsumer/airline-cancellation-delay-dashboard.

This single page helps you see, in plain terms, what your airline will do if your plans fall apart because of weather or airline issues.

Policy changes and what airlines are offering now

Federal consumer rules now require more from airlines. The biggest shift is automatic cash refunds for canceled flights if you decide not to take a new itinerary. Before 2024, many travelers ended up with vouchers by default and had to push hard for cash.

Under the current rules:
– Airlines must offer automatic cash refunds when a flight is canceled and you don’t accept an alternative.
– Airlines must list what they provide during controllable delays and cancellations, such as rebooking, meal vouchers, or hotel stays for long delays (often 3 hours or more, per airline commitments shown on the DOT dashboard).
– These clearer standards push airlines to act promptly and make their promises easy to find.

If an airline says your delay is “uncontrollable” (for example, due to weather) and denies certain help, but you think the cause is within the airline’s control, you can challenge that call. Keep records: photos of departure boards, weather reports, and all messages from the airline. If a refund or promised amenity is denied:
– File a complaint with the DOT through its website.
– Ask your credit card company for help when a promised refund does not arrive.

Good records make those requests stronger.

Important: The DOT now requires automatic cash refunds for canceled flights if you do not accept an alternative — this applies even to many previously non-refundable tickets.

What travelers should do today

1. Check your airline’s travel alerts page first.
   • JetBlue: https://www.jetblue.com/travel-alerts
   • United: https://www.united.com/travel-alerts
   • Airlines update these pages often during storms.
2. Confirm your eligibility.
   • Your flight date, route, and booking details must match the waiver window your airline lists.
3. Rebook or cancel through official channels.
   • Use the airline’s website, app, or phone support.
   • For qualifying trips, you should see no change/cancel fees and often no fare difference.
4. Save everything.
   • Keep emails, app notices, and screenshots of the waiver page and your rebooking or cancellation confirmation.
5. If denied a refund or waiver you believe applies, file a complaint with the DOT.
6. Use the DOT Dashboard to see your airline’s promises on rebooking, meals, hotels, and refunds.

Practical examples and tips

For many travelers, these waivers mean no out-of-pocket costs to move travel to safer times. And if you decide not to fly after a cancellation, the DOT rules give you the right to a cash refund, even on non-refundable tickets, as long as you do not accept another itinerary.

• For delays over three hours, check your airline’s published commitments — some offer meal vouchers or hotel rooms when the delay is within the airline’s control.
• Policies differ during true weather events, so read the posted terms closely.
• If your plan includes a connection, rebook both legs at once so your new itinerary still lines up, and confirm any checked-bag rules when you switch flights.

Consider a family flying JetBlue out of Islip/Long Island, NY on August 13. With JetBlue’s waiver in place that day:
– They can push their trip to the weekend without paying new fare costs or change/cancel fees, as long as they follow the waiver rules.
– If the flight is canceled and they decide not to travel, they can seek an automatic cash refund under the 2024–2025 framework.
– If they face a long delay, they should check JetBlue’s commitments to see if any meal or hotel support applies and request it through the app or at the gate.

Consumer advice and outlook

Consumer groups advise travelers to keep calm but be firm. Ask agents to note your record when they confirm a waiver, and request any promised voucher or hotel in writing. Airlines generally follow DOT rules, but they may view “controllable” versus “uncontrollable” delays differently. Clear, polite requests backed by the airline’s own alert and the DOT standards usually move things along.

Before 2024, airlines often pushed vouchers first and had broad room to limit fee waivers. The 2024–2025 reforms came after years of major disruptions and many complaints to the federal government. The newer rules aim to make refunds faster and promises clearer, with the DOT tracking airline commitments in one public place.

For travelers across Long Island and the wider region, the immediate steps are simple:
– Check your flight status,
– Read the current waiver,
– Make your change early while seats are available.

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the DOT’s refund standards and airline waivers have shifted power back to travelers, especially during fast-moving weather events. That matters for families trying to reach school start dates, workers on tight schedules, and visitors connecting to other flights.

With storms still in the forecast, stay flexible:
– Keep your phone charged,
– Download your airline’s app,
– Set flight alerts.

If your flight is on JetBlue and falls within the August 13 waiver, including departures from Islip/Long Island, NY, act now to secure the new flight you want while fees and fare differences are waived. For other airlines, check their travel alerts and use the DOT Dashboard to see exactly what they promise today.