---
title: "Same-day change"
description: "A same-day change moves you to another flight on the day you travel. Confirmed vs. standby, typical fees, timing windows and where bookers get caught."
canonical: https://engine.com/glossary/same-day-change
updated: 2026-11-02
author: "Engine Editorial"
---

# Same-day change

A same-day change is a request to move to a different flight on the same calendar day as your original flight.

Also called: same-day confirmed change, same-day switch

Not to be confused with: same-day standby, which only puts you in line for an open seat.

Updated November 2, 2026 by Engine Editorial

## What is a same-day flight change?

A same-day change swaps your flight for another one on the same day. This cheat sheet covers how to think about one and where it goes wrong. The detail is further down.

### How to think about it

- **Confirmed or standby.** A confirmed change moves you to a confirmed seat on the new flight. Standby means you wait for an open seat.
- **It's a set fee.** Delta charges $75 for a Same-Day Confirmed change. JetBlue charges $100 for a same-day switch, with no difference in fare.
- **Same day, same cities.** At JetBlue, the new flight has to leave the same day and keep the same origin and destination cities, though you can switch airports within a city.
- **Basic fares may be left out.** Delta excludes its Basic fares from both Same-Day Confirmed and Same-Day Standby.

### Where it goes wrong

- **Booked through an agency.** JetBlue says same-day switches can't be completed by an agency, only directly by JetBlue.
- **Asking too early.** JetBlue opens same-day switches at midnight on the day of travel, in the departure airport's time zone. Delta's window is within 24 hours of the original departure.
- **Trips outside the covered area.** Delta's Same-Day Confirmed covers travel within the U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands only.
- **Paying the fee when a new ticket costs less.** On a standard JetBlue fare, if the fare difference is under $100, you can cancel and book a new flight instead of paying the switch fee.

## Same-day change at Delta and JetBlue

| | Delta | JetBlue |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Confirmed change fee | $75 for Same-Day Confirmed, free for Diamond, Platinum and Gold Medallion members | $100 for a same-day switch, no fare difference, free on Flex fares |
| Standby | Free | $100 |
| When you can ask | Within 24 hours of the original departure | From midnight on the day of travel |
| Where it applies | Travel within the U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands for confirmed changes | Same origin and destination cities |

## Keep your Engine trips in one place

Engine's Trips page shows upcoming and past bookings and starts eligible change and cancellation requests. Free to use.

[Get started](https://engine.com/sign-up)

## Questions

### How much does a same-day flight change cost?

It depends on the airline. Delta charges $75 for Same-Day Confirmed, free for Diamond, Platinum and Gold Medallion members. JetBlue charges $100, and Flex fares switch for free.

### Is same-day standby free?

At Delta, yes, Same-Day Standby is complimentary. At JetBlue, same-day standby carries the same $100 fee as a same-day switch.

### Can I switch to a different airport on a same-day change?

At JetBlue, yes, within the same city. The origin and destination cities must stay the same, but you can move from LGA to JFK, for example.

### When can I make a same-day change?

At Delta, within 24 hours of your originally scheduled departure. At JetBlue, from midnight on the day of travel in the departure airport's time zone, or 24 hours before departure for Mosaic members.

## Go deeper

- [Engine trip management](https://engine.com/features/trip-management)
- [What is a flexible ticket?](https://engine.com/blog/what-is-a-flexible-ticket)
- [Change fee](https://engine.com/glossary/change-fee)
- [Flexible fare](https://engine.com/glossary/flexible-fare)

## Sources

1. Delta Air Lines, "Same-Day Flight Changes," https://www.delta.com/us/en/change-cancel/same-day-flight-change, accessed November 2, 2026.
2. JetBlue, "Fare Options," https://www.jetblue.com/flying-with-us/our-fares, accessed November 2, 2026.
3. JetBlue, "Optional Services and Fees," https://www.jetblue.com/legal/fees, accessed November 2, 2026.
4. Engine, "Managing Business Trips With Engine," https://engine.com/features/trip-management, accessed November 2, 2026.