How soon to respond to flight schedule change?

You would have to check with the airline for the specific policy on this. My impression is that there is not endless time to make these decisions, but each airline could be different.

If you want to take the flight you need to respond soon because other people will be more proactive and so two weeks before the flight you’re going to discover there’s nothing you want to take left. I don’t know about refunds because you’d have to give us information on what airline etc.

Not that this should influence your decision about timing response, but I wonder whether the schedule won’t get changed again, an additional time before your trip tended departure date?

Our current trip to/from Italy had 3 changes, maybe 4, although most were just 5 to 15 minutes, not as long as your change. We fly home in a week … hopefully the schedule doesn’t change again.

I just talked to an United agent; I will have an option to change or refund the ticket at least 24 hours prior to the flight or sooner. So I have until January 14 next year to make a decision; plenty of time :) Thank you all for your response!

Are you thinking of using this flight change as a way to get a full refund on a non refundable flight? If you do decide to travel, would you be good with the flight you were moved to? If not good with the current flight, the longer you wait, the less options there may be to change to another flight as they fill up. Just something to keep in mind. I ran across that problem with my flight in December. But in my case, my flights were canceled and everyone shifted to other flights or not.

Keep an eye on the flights you'd like to take to gauge when best to call to work it all out.

@Gail: very valid points you're raising. My ticket is not refundable; so I'm using this opportunity to give myself some flexibility. I will make a decision as I get closer to the travel date. Thanks!

I completely understand. I did the same thing, waiting a good month prior to calling due to other things happening in my life. Schedule changes can be great if plans change and you need to potentially cancel a trip.

As others have pointed out, as you get closer to departure your options narrow. I would research my options NOW, and consider changing. OTOH, I don't know whether that 2.5 hour earlier departure is the first leg or a connection. Does this change significantly negatively affect a connection time?

Personally, I like lots of time for connections. If this change adds some slack in the schedule, and I have access to a longe, I'd accept the change.