Booking flights can be exciting, but plans sometimes change. If your travel dates need to shift, you may wonder – can you change dates on Aer Lingus flights? The excellent news is date changes are allowed on Aer Lingus tickets. However, fees and restrictions apply in most cases.
Aer Lingus has flexible policies compared to other airlines, but date modifications still come at a cost. Change fees, fare differences, and advance timing requirements limit travelers’ options. Understanding Aer Lingus’ specific date change rules is key to avoiding surprises if your trip needs to be rebooked.
This article covers everything you need to know about changing your Aer Lingus flight dates. Whether looking to shift your trip by a few days or several weeks, we outline the change fees, procedures, and restrictions to expect. Read on for tips on smoothly modifying your Aer Lingus reservation.
Aer Lingus’s Date Change Policy Overview
Aer Lingus allows travelers to change the dates on booked flights, subject to some limitations:
- Date changes are permitted on all ticket types, but change fees apply depending on your fare rules. Flexible fares allow one free change, while other foods incur costs.
- Changes must be made at least 24 hours before your departure time.
- You can change to any date with seat availability in the same cabin. Seasonal fare differences may apply.
- Changes can be made online, through the app, or by contacting Aer Lingus’ call center directly.
- Any fare difference between your original and new flights must be paid. No refunds are given for choosing a cheaper flight.
Understanding the specific rules for your ticket fare is key. Change fees also differ for reward bookings made with Avios points.
When are Date Changes Allowed on Aer Lingus Flights?
Time Limit for Changes
Date modifications must be made at least 24 hours before your departure time. Within 24 hours, changes are not permitted.
This policy covers all Aer Lingus flight bookings, whether one-way, roundtrip, or multiple destinations. If you can take the flight and change dates within 24 hours of departure, you retain the total ticket amount.
Date Change Fees by Fare Type
| £ GBP |
$ USD/CAD |
€ EUR |
|
| 35 | 60 | 40 | Change fee – Paid online (For changes to Date / Itinerary / Route / Fare Type) |
| 40 | 80 | 50 | Change fee – Paid via the Guest Services Centre or at the airport (For changes to Date / Itinerary / Route / Fare Type) |
| 80 | 157 | 100 | Name Change |
| – | – | 75 | Late Check in or Missed Departure Fee |
| 12 | – | 12 | Refund Administration fee |
| 13.5 | – | 20 | Direct booking fee – Paid via the Guest Services Centre or at the airport |
Aer Lingus has three main fare categories that determine change fees:
- Flexible Fares – Allow one free date change before departure. Changes after that incur a €60 fee per direction.
- Semi-Flexible Fares – A €60 fee per direction applies for any date modifications.
- Fixed Fares – Date changes incur a €160 fee per direction.
So if you booked a roundtrip ticket, the fee is charged separately for outbound and return flights.
Fare Differences
In addition to change fees, you must pay any fare increase between your original and new flights. If the new dates have lower fares, no refund of the fare difference is provided.
Seasonal fluctuations, demand, and other factors can cause pricing differences. Review current fares carefully when selecting new flight times.
Related Post: Aer Lingus Schedule Change Policy For Travel Agents
How to Change Your Aer Lingus Flight Dates
You have three options for modifying your Aer Lingus flight dates:
Online via Website or App
Log into your booking online or in the Aer Lingus app. Select “Manage Booking” and “Change Flight” to modify your dates. Available flights on new dates and any change fees or fare differences will populate.
This is the quickest way to change dates if suitable options are available on your new dates.
Contacting Aer Lingus Call Center
Call Aer Lingus at +1-877-645-6550 to discuss changing your flight dates with a booking agent. This lets you explain your situation and get personalized help picking your new flight times.
The agent can waive change fees at their discretion in some cases, like emergencies or flight cancellations.
At the Airport
Some last-minute date changes may be accommodated at the airport on the day of travel, subject to availability. This is not guaranteed, though. Change fees still apply.
Airport changes should be considered a last resort. Contacting the call center in advance is recommended if you foresee needing new dates close to departure.
Restrictions When Changing Aer Lingus Flight Dates
Here are a few restrictions to note when modifying your flight dates:
- Origin and destination must remain the same. Ticket reissues with new endpoints incur fees.
- Class of service cannot be changed, like Economy vs. Business.
- Connections and multi-city bookings must change all or none of the flights. Partial changes often require ticket reissues.
- Date swaps between separate bookings are not allowed. Each ticket must be changed independently.
When selecting new flights, review all booking details carefully to avoid issues or extra reissue fees.
Changing Dates on Reward Flights Booked with Avios
For reward tickets booked with Avios points, different policies for date changes apply:
- Changes incur a fee of £35 outside 24 hours before departure, plus applicable fare differences.
- Within 24 hours, changes are not permitted. The Avios points are forfeited.
- To redeposit the Avios points for future use, a £100 redeposit fee applies.
- Partner rewards have different fees – €60 for AerClub flights and £55 for British Airways flights.
Check full policies on the Aer Lingus website before changing reward ticket dates to understand fees.
Refunds for Canceling vs. Changing Dates
If your plans are canceled entirely, you may want to request a full refund rather than simply changing dates. Aer Lingus has separate cancellation policies:
- Refunds within 24 hours of booking are permitted for a €60 fee.
- Beyond 24 hours, cancellations incur a €160 fee, and the residual value is issued as an e-voucher.
Compare refunds and date change options to decide what works best if you can no longer travel as booked.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if my new dates are significantly more expensive?
You will be responsible for paying any fare increase between your original flight and new flight dates. Aer Lingus does not cover or cap fare inflation when dates are changed voluntarily.
Can I change dates over the phone if I book online?
You can call to modify flight dates even if you originally booked on the website or app. The same change fees apply.
Do date changes extend the ticket validity period?
No, when you modify flight dates, the original ticket expiration of 1 year from booking still applies. The validity is not extended.
Can I change part of a roundtrip booking?
Unfortunately, date changes must be made to outbound and return flights on roundtrip bookings. You cannot change just one direction.
What if I miss the 24-hour cutoff for date changes?
If you are within 24 hours of departure, Aer Lingus does not permit voluntary date changes. At that point, your only options are to take the original flight or forfeit the ticket with no refund.
At last
Aer Lingus understands travel plans can change. While they allow modifications to flight dates, fees, and fare differences make changes costly in many cases. Checking change policies at booking can help you choose the optimal fare rules for your situation. When your dates need to shift, act early to save time, money, and hassle.
