I have ticketed a one-way award reservation from CUZ-LIM, booked with British Airways Avios award points. My flight departs at 15:30, it was the best time for me available at the time of booking. Now, I see that an award option is available for the 15:25 flight, which was not available at time of booking. I know that 5 min. is not much, but if possible, I'd like to be on that 15:25 flight. If I were to go to the BA website to change my ticket, they want $80 for the two of us traveling. I realize that $80 may not be bad as US airlines would charge up to $300 for two passengers for changes. Nevertheless, I'd rather not pay at all.

So I was wondering, at check-in in CUZ, if seats are available on that 15:25 flight, could I ask to be changed to that flight without any kind of extra charges? There was once a time not too long ago in the US where same day changes at the airport did not incur any fees, if seats were available. Those times are now gone, but I was wondering how things might work with LAN.

Thank you for your replies.

LAN won't do anything that your ticket fare doesn't allow.
They work by the book and stick to the rules, it's very unlikely that they'll bend them (even if there's availability and it's only 5 minutes).

SDC in LAN are indeed allowed in the airport in the same day, at the airport. Just go to a check-in counter and ask them. If someone tells you this is not allowed, go to another counter.

Yes, I have even been offered same day alternate routing without asking (was doing a weird MR thing ).

I know they are really flexible on the LIM-CUZ route anyway, for obvious reasons, so OP SDC possible.

I've probably had bad luck with agents that are all-rules then In any case, I would recommend always asking!

Sorry Andrea, not deliberately being contrary to you, you are quite right, LAN agents are by the book and will enforce the fares rules... especially for us on Base Fares ... but this is a gringo on BA award tix LIM-CUZ. With all those internationals arriving / departing late / early with hoards of folks on high fares eager to see or leave MP and with 17 flights a day, and with possible bad weather, LAN has been known to accommodate pax on this route.

But I will rephrase: OP check your fare rules, LAN will follow them to the letter, but on this route there may be flexibility if you ask and it is convenient to Lan.

Don't the LAN regulations change once the flight is under airport control? I have found it much easier to switch to an earlier flight once I am at the airport. Trying to do it by calling LAN is another story.