Alaska Airlines has changed their change fee policy, from one that charged travelers a flat $75 fee to one that could potentially cost much, much more.

It used to be that if you wanted to change your flight you called up Alaska Airlines and if seats were available they charged you $75 to switch to the new flight. But as of yesterday, the airline will make you pay the price of the flight on the day you want to make the change, and then apply the price of your old flight to the new ticket.

Say you buy a ticket to Seattle a few months in advance. It costs $200. While you're down in Seattle, you have a meeting postponed and you need to stay an extra day. Call up Alaska Airlines, and if the current price for the flight you want to take back to Alaska is $500, you're on the hook for the $300 difference.

"It will cost customers who make those last minute changes additional funds," Alaska Airlines spokesperson Bobbie Egan said.

Same day travel changes will still only be charged $25, Egan said.

The change went into effect yesterday, and will affect tickets bought going forward. Luckily for Alaskans, the $75 change fee will not be applied to in-state travel. Egan likened it to Alaska Airlines' policy allowing three bags for in-state travel but charging for each bag on trips Outside; this state requires a little more flexibility, she said.

Contact Joshua Saul at jsaul(at)alaskadispatch.com.