Airline Booking & Flight Rescheduling Numbers
The Cancellation Fee Scam
When flights are grounded due to weather, passengers panic and search Google for their airline's customer service number. Scammers buy ads for these exact searches, placing fake 1-800 numbers at the top of Google.
Verified Airline Customer Service Lines
Never rely on a number you found via a Google Ad or a third-party travel blog. Use the verified numbers below, which we continually monitor:
| Airline | Verified Number |
|---|---|
| Delta Air Lines | 1-800-221-1212 |
| American Airlines | 1-800-433-7300 |
| United Airlines | 1-800-864-8331 |
| Southwest Airlines | 1-800-435-9792 |
How the Rebooking Scam Works
If you dial a fraudulent number, the person answering will claim to be an agent for your airline. They will pull up your real flight details (because you gave them your booking reference code) and tell you they can get you on the next flight out.
The catch? They claim there is a "mandatory rebooking fee" or "fare difference" of $150 to $300 that must be paid immediately via Zelle, CashApp, or by reading a credit card number. Legitimate airlines do not charge fees to rebook flights they cancel due to weather or mechanical issues.
Protect Your Booking Reference
Your Booking Reference (or PNR) is usually a 6-digit alphanumeric code. Treat this code like a password. If a scammer has this code and your last name, they can access your itinerary on the real airline website, cancel your flight, and steal the resulting flight credit.