I just wanted to check what the policy regarding an unused ticket. A friend of mine had a non-refundable ticket YUL-YVR for reading week but due to some problems with exams and traffic, and the fact she left it to close to get out to the airport she ended up missing the flight, and all the flights were overbooked for the next three days so she couldn't get on standby. Now she wants to go to IAH and the fare is a bit less than the value of the original ticket. We were told at YUL once she had missed her flight that her credit was the value of the ticket less the $145 change fee, which would be perfect, however when she called AC they wanted her to pay the change fee up front, rather than deducting the value from the credit. I was wondering if you guys had any idea as to what the official policy is, and whether I just got a bad agent and should try calling again.

Thanks

She might be able to avoid paying the change fee altogether if she calls back and tells them the reason she missed her original flight was due to a sudden death in the family.

Otherwise, the ticket's residual value would be the original fare paid less the change fee. Therefore she shouldn't have to pay any change fee up front.

[This message has been edited by FlyerAl (edited 03-22-2002).]

Depending on fare basis she was booked on, the residual value might be in fact $0. If she indicates about a death etc., then be prepared to show proof. AC has clamped down on this matter and non-refundable tickets are in fact non-refundable.

I asked AC a few months about what happens to a non-refundable domestic ticket if it isn't used, and I was told you get charged the $145 up front. They then give you the value of the ticket as credit. So it sounds like the second agent was correct. However, I've never tried to do this, and a thread about a week or so ago suggested that they have different rules for each type of ticket. I suggest you call back one or two more times and see if you get the same answer.

Even if you have to pay $145 to IAH, that's still a lot better than losing the ticket.

You definitely will need proof if you try to claim a death.

I repeat, it depends on the fare basis that was used. Some of the deep discount fares are 100% non-refundable and no credit is available for use in the future. I know, I personally hold one of these worthless tickets.

I have exchanged non refundable tks many times and paid the $145 plus $10GST because sometimes my meetings change.I find it a cheap way to stay with H or L,Q tickets and most are good for 60 or 90 days.If you pay the change fee you can extend the original deadline on the ticket purchased as long as you do it before the original expiry date.Otherwise the ticket is useless.

[This message has been edited by parnel (edited 03-22-2002).]

Piece of cake.

And not just from the neck up !

Since we have no reason to believe that there was a death in the family, does it follow that you are counselling a false pretence, Al? You might want to consider the effect of subsection 22(1) of the Criminal Code.

The Alliance wants the government to catch only the REAL criminals !

Precisely, and it is because of people the likes of Mr. Al that airlines are less and less willing to extend courtesies when situations actually warrant them.

But you are implying that I've actually done such a thing.

kiwicanuck:

FlyerAl:

andrew

oh yes and AC has been totally ethical with us the FF who fill most of their seats----I don't suggest an eye for an eye necessarily but I do preach self defense when attacked and AC has attacked their customers.It is Ac who should look at the criminal code

It's not good to curse your family members... who will you pick to be the unlucky ones? Parents, siblings?

It's bad luck for them... what if, you know.