Airlines Drop Fees To Change Flights Ahead Of Snowstorm

CHICAGO, IL — The biggest snow of the season hasn't hit the Chicago area yet, but the major airlines already have announced plans to waive change fees for flights in and out of O'Hare International and Midway airports in anticipation of the winter storm set to hit Thursday night. Fee waivers by American, Delta, Southwest and United airlines also might apply to other Midwest cities that could be affected by the snowstorm, including Milwaukee and Madison, Wisconsin.

A winter storm warning from the National Weather Service is in effect from 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 8, until 9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 9, for Will, Cook, DuPage and Lake counties. Between six to 10 inches of snow is expected during that time, with more than a foot accumulating in some areas, according to the forecast.

Here's a look at what some airlines are offering travelers ahead of the potentially nasty winter weather:

American Airlines: Change fees can be waived if customers purchased tickets by Wednesday, Feb. 7, and are traveling between Thursday, Feb. 8, and Friday, Feb. 9. Customers can't change their origin or destination city and must rebook in the same cabin or pay the difference. Go to the airline's website for more information.

Delta Airlines: Customers traveling to or from Chicago on Friday, Feb. 9, can either cancel their flight for the unused portion of the ticket or reschedule the flight without a change fee. To have the change fee dropped, flights must be rebooked by Monday, Feb. 12. This offer also is good for other cities potentially affected by the snowstorm. Go to the airline's website for more information.

Southwest Airlines: Travelers flying in or out of Chicago between Thursday, Feb. 8, and Friday, Feb. 9, can reschedule their flight in the original service class or fly standby (within 14 days of the original flight and between the same cities) without paying added fees. This offer also is good for other cities potentially affected by the snowstorm. Go to the airline's website for more information.

United Airlines: For travel to or from Chicago between Thursday, Feb. 8, and Saturday, Feb. 10, change fees and any fare differences will be waived for flights leaving on or before Tuesday, Feb. 13, as long as the flight is rebooked in the originally ticketed cabin and between the originally ticketed cities. This offer also is good for other cities potentially affected by the snowstorm. Go to the airline's website for more information.

Photo by Nam Y. Huh | Associated Press