Originally Posted by
DCA writer
An anecdote in favor of the ask-nicely strategy: UA changed a DCA-IAH flight in March from a 738 to an E175 and moved it from 7 a.m. to 6:50 a.m. I called and asked if I could switch to the 7:30 a.m. flight on a 738 (which I'd passed on when it had been an 8 a.m. departure that cost $100 or $200 extra), and the agent said he was happy to make the change at no cost. Even though this 7:30 a.m. flight was only showing $600-ish fares.
Probably didn't hurt that the E175 would involve a change in operating carrier...from United to UAX...which is a pretty big deal on a schedule change.
Glad it worked out for you. ^