I have moved the last several posts, which were about the COVID free change/cancellation policy, to the thread we already had on that subject.

Taking my moderator hat off, I will concur with most of the others above that FPs have definitely had change fees for years. It's possible that AC messed up one pass and forgot to include the change fee, and that this is what the OP bought, but Southwestern, EW Connector, Western Commuter, Transcontinental, etc, every Flex/Standard FP I've ever seen has always had change fees. And I've looked at the Western Canada to Europe passes in the past, and thet definitely listed the $50 change fee on the website.

So I think the entire premise of this thread is incorrect.