American Airlines has eliminated change fees for most international tickets, the Fort Worth, Texas-based carrier announced Friday via a press release.
The new policy applies immediately to all fare types except basic economy. It includes “all long-haul international flying when travel originates in North or South America” and follows a previous elimination of change fees on American Airlines’s domestic and short-haul international routes.
“We are committed to making travel easier for our customers who fly on American,” the airline’s Chief Revenue Officer, Vasu Raja, said in a statement. “By eliminating change fees, we’re giving customers more flexibility no matter when or where they plan to travel.”
Previously, American Airlines charged a change fee of $200 per ticket.
In addition to ticket change fees, the airline says that in 2020, it has eliminated mileage reinstatement fees, standby fees and phone-booking service fees.
The customer-friendly moves come as airlines struggle with depressed demand during the coronavirus pandemic. In October, American announced a third-quarter net loss of $2.4 billion on revenue that dropped 73% compared to the same period in 2019.
Requirements for tourists entering Costa Rica
Tourists wishing to enter Costa Rica via a flight must comply with these requirements:
- Complete the online “Health Pass” epidemiological form: https://salud.go.cr.
- Obtain travel insurance. This can be either a pre-approved Costa Rican policy from INS or Sagicor, or an international policy that covers COVID-19 medical expenses of at least $50,000 and $2,000 for lodging.
Visitors do not have to quarantine after arriving in Costa Rica.
