How to Change Your Flight with Porter Airlines? Here’s Guide to Help
Life can be unpredictable, and travel plans often need to shift. If you have booked a flight with Porter Airlines and you now need to change the date, time, route or even passenger name, you might wonder how flexible your ticket truly is. The good news is that Porter does allow flight changes—but the rules, timing and fees vary depending on your fare type. In this guide you will learn exactly when and how you can change your Porter flight, what costs are involved, and how to get the best outcome.
Understanding Your Fare Type
Porter offers several fare categories and each one has its own rules:
- Basic Fare – Lowest price and most restrictive. Changes are not allowed in most cases.
- Standard Fare – Some flexibility. Allows changes for a fee.
- Flex Fare – Highly flexible. Allows free changes or cancellations up to a certain time before departure.
- Membership or Bundle Fares – These often align with Flex fare rules, or include extra perks like free flight changes.
It is essential to know which fare you purchased before planning a change.
When Can You Change Your Porter Flight?
1. Within the Grace Period After Booking
Porter typically offers a short window after booking—often 24 hours or even a few hours depending on how far ahead your departure is—during which you can modify or cancel your itinerary without penalty. During this time changes are allowed even with Basic or Standard fares.
2. With Flex or Membership Fares
If you have a Flex fare or a Membership tier ticket, you can modify your flight date, time or even destination without a fee as long as you do so before the departure time. Any fare difference is still payable though.
3. With Standard Fare
Standard fares allow changes up to a specified period before flight (often 2 hours before departure) but you will pay a change fee plus any fare difference. The fee is typically smaller if you make the change online rather than through customer service or at the airport.
4. With Basic Fare
Basic fares are generally non-changeable after booking. Once the short grace period has passed, changes are not permitted and the fare is forfeited if you cannot travel. Occasionally Porter may offer a travel credit for basic fares but it is rare and handled case by case.
What Changes Are Allowed?
Porter accepts changes in several categories:
- New dates or times – You can move your flight to another date or earlier/later time.
- Destination swaps – Subject to availability and fare difference.
- Name corrections – Minor spelling adjustments are allowed within set limits.
- Cabin upgrades – You may pay the difference to move from economy to business fare class.
All changes must be made via Porter’s official portal or customer service channels. Airline errors and flight disruptions may allow more flexibility.
How Much Does It Cost?
Grace Period Window
No fee for any fare type, as long as changes are within the allowed timeframe.
Standard Fare
- Online change fee: Typically between 30 and 60 dollars or equivalent currency.
- Phone or airport change fee: Often higher.
- Fare difference: You pay the difference if the new flight costs more; no refund is issued if it costs less.
Flex or Membership Fares
Zero change fee, only any fare difference if the new flight is more expensive. Some bundles include complimentary priority and perks.
Basic Fare
Changes are not permitted after grace period; essentially full fare is forfeited.
How to Make a Change
- Go to the Porter Airlines website or open the mobile app.
- Visit the Manage Trips section and log in with your booking code and name.
- Select the flight you want to change and look for “Change Flight” or “Modify” options.
- Choose new date, time, or other options offered.
- Review any fees or fare differences and accept them before confirming.
- Save the updated itinerary and confirmation number for your records.
If the system does not permit changes for your fare type, you may need to call customer service for assistance.
Timing Is the Key
- The earlier you act, the cheaper it is and the more options you have.
- Standard fare change fees often increase within days of departure.
- After the flight departure, changes are no longer allowed under most fare types.
- Missed connections are considered no-show and may forfeit the ticket.
Airline-Initiated Disruptions
If Porter cancels or delays your flight, you have the right to change your itinerary free of charge. You may be offered:
- Rebooking on an alternate flight of comparable value
- A travel credit or refund if schedules no longer suit your needs
This flexibility applies regardless of fare type and overrides normal change rules.
Travel Insurance Impact
If you have travel insurance that covers cancellations or itinerary changes due to illness or emergencies, you may receive reimbursement. The airline change rules do not override your insurance rights. Always notify your insurer promptly if you require reimbursement for flights changed under emergency conditions.
Name Correction Rules
If you made a spelling mistake in your booking, Porter typically allows minor name corrections if done before check in and within a certain time window. This is especially important if Travel documents need to match exactly. Name changes beyond a few characters may not be permitted under Basic fare but are allowed for Flex fares with no fees.
Worst-Case: If You Miss Your Flight
Missing your flight without prior change or cancellation counts as a no-show. Porter may:
- Cancel any remaining segments in the reservation
- Provide no refund or credit unless fare rules allow
- Charge reinstatement or standby fee if you show up later
To avoid this, cancel or change your reservation in advance when possible.
Summary Table of Porter Change Rules
| Fare Type | Change Within Grace Period | Change Before Departure | Change Fee | Refund Options |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | Yes, free | No | Not allowed | No refund except tax refund |
| Standard | Yes, free | Yes, up to 2h before | 30–60 plus fare difference | Travel credit or partial cash |
| Flex / Membership | Yes, free | Yes, until departure | No fee, pays fare difference | Full refund if needed |
| Airline Cancels | N/A | Yes | No fee | Full refund or rebooking |
Real-World Scenarios
Scenario 1:
Maria booked a Standard fare flight two months ahead. A week before departure she needed to change the date. She changed online, paid a 40 dollar fee plus a fare difference of 20 dollars, and successfully flew on the new date.
Scenario 2:
James bought a Flex fare flight. Two hours before departure he decided to travel a day later. Changes were applied free of charge and he only paid a small fare difference.
Scenario 3:
Lucy booked a Basic fare and missed the short grace period. She could not change the flight and had to forfeit the fare value. Porter offered a small tax refund on request.
Scenario 4:
Porter canceled John’s flight due to crew issues. Porter rebooked him free of charge on the next flight and sent him a confirmation email along with meal vouchers.
Tips to Improve Your Experience
- Always check your fare type at booking.
- Cancel or modify as early as possible.
- Choose Flex or membership fare if you need flexibility.
- Use the Porter app or portal for lower fees.
- Keep booking codes and confirmation of your change.
- Be ready to pay any fare difference immediately.
- If cancellation is airline fault ask for full refund or rebooking option.
- If you booked through a third party book agent contact them for changes.
- Consider travel insurance for unexpected emergencies.
Common Myths About Porter Changes
- Myth: You can change basic fares anytime.
Reality: Basic fares are mostly non-changeable after grace period. - Myth: All changes are free.
Reality: Only Flex fares or airline-initiated changes are free—Standard fares incur fees. - Myth: You can change just by texting.
Reality: Changes must go through the app, web portal or phone agent with booking details.
When Changes Are Not Allowed
- Less than two hours before departure on Standard fare.
- Basic fare after the grace period expires.
- On codeshare flights booked through another airline portal.
- When fare inventory for the new date is unavailable.
- If flight is canceled due to major weather or regulatory shutdown.
Final Thoughts
Yes, you can change your flight with Porter Airlines—but your options depend entirely on your fare type and how much notice you give. Flex and membership fares provide the greatest flexibility with no fee changes before departure. Standard fares allow changes for a fee, while Basic fares offer little to no flexibility after the grace period expires. If Porter cancels your flight due to airline fault, you have strong rights to rebooking or refund without penalty.
Choose the right fare for your needs, act early when changes are needed, and use Porter’s online tools or customer service for the best results. Let me know if you’d like a brief printable checklist to follow when modifying your flight with Porter!