Kostenfrei ist es mittlerweile nicht mehr. Es ist "kostengünstig". Seit einiger Zeit fallen bei mir bei Austrian immer Gebühren (aber bisher immer unter 100€) an.
Die Antwort von Austrian auf die Frage warum es nicht mehr kostenfrei ist:
Thank you for your inquiry regarding the EUR 11 charge applied when rebooking to an earlier flight on the day of departure. We understand that this may come as a surprise, especially if you’ve previously experienced same-day changes at no additional cost under our Flex fare.
While our Flex tickets continue to offer enhanced flexibility, including the option to change flights on the day of travel, there are occasions when a fare difference or additional taxes may apply. In this instance, the charge was not a rebooking fee, but rather the result of a recalculated fare and updated tax structure. Seat availability in your original fare class may have been limited on the earlier flight, which can lead to a small fare adjustment. Additionally, some airport and government-imposed taxes are recalculated at the time of rebooking and may differ from those applied to your original ticket.
We remain committed to providing transparent and flexible travel options, and we appreciate your understanding as we continue to adapt to evolving operational and regulatory requirements.
I apologize again for any inconvenience caused and hope that we can retain your confidence in us.
Thank you in advance for your continued faith in us despite the experience you had with Austrian Airlines. We are happy to be your preferred airline, simply: Austrian.