American Airlines waives change fees at Charlotte airport ahead of winter storm
American Airlines is allowing customers traveling to, through and from Charlotte to change their flight plans with no fee this weekend ahead of a potentially monster snowstorm for the Charlotte region and elsewhere.
Charlotte Douglas International Airport is among more than 30 airports listed in the travel alert. For the Carolinas this also included airports serving the regions of Asheville, Columbia, Greensboro-High Point, Greenville-Spartanburg, Raleigh-Durham and Wilmington.
Travelers may receive a fee waiver if they bought their tickets on or before Jan.19 for travel dates scheduled between Friday, Jan. 23, and Sunday, Jan. 25.
New flights must be booked between Wednesday, Jan. 21 and Wednesday, Jan. 28. Passengers must keep the same origin and destination.
Travelers also need to pick the same seat they had with the original booking. Any upgrades will come with a fee for the fare difference.
American Airlines is the largest provider of flights at CLT, accounting for 90% of flights at the sixth-busiest airport in the world.
Other airlines also allow for CLT travel changes
Other airlines such as Delta are taking similar actions to prepare for the storm. Forecasts predict the weather will impact its largest hub in Atlanta and other regions, according to the airline’s website.
Like American, Charlotte and other Carolina cities such as Charleston, Fayetteville, and Myrtle Beach are also predicted to be impacted by Winter Storm Fern from Friday through Sunday. For Delta passengers, tickets must be reissued on or before Wednesday, Jan. 28. Booked travel must begin no later than that day.
Delta travelers can reschedule if their ticket was issued on or before Thursday. They can reschedule for any date up to Wednesday for free if they stay in the same cabin class. If a passenger wants to travel after next Wednesday, they don’t have to pay for a change fee, but they will need to cover any increase in ticket price.
Winter storm forecast around Charlotte
In addition to potential changes in travel costs, weather conditions could spoil weekend plans throughout the Charlotte region.
A winter storm watch is set for North Carolina from Saturday to Monday, with the possibility of up to six inches of snow in some areas, The Charlotte Observer previously reported.
The storm’s forecast calls for a combination of snow, sleet, and freezing rain to the Charlotte area starting early Saturday. Meteorologists are still uncertain whether Mecklenburg County and neighboring areas will experience primarily snowfall or more icy conditions.
This story was originally published January 21, 2026 at 2:54 PM.
