I'm, seriously thinking about taking the plunge and booking a CMB-YVR run. However, with the current Sri Lanka situation I am inclined to leave booking for a little while to see how things develop. Also, it would be nice to have the security of a refundable fare if the situation deteriorates there.

I'm looking at a United C2R fare which is pricing up very nicely on expedia.co.uk. However, the fare fules shown don't (to my untutored eye) give me the information I need.

The fare rules start off:

From: Colombo, Sri Lanka (CMB-Katunayake)
To: Vancouver, BC, Canada (YVR-All Airports)
(and return)
Fare Basis Code: C2R

CMBYVR-UA 31MAR07 *RULE DISPLAY* TARIFF 0446 RULE 5000
* ADD APPLICABLE TAX * FED INSP FEES *

Question - what is the relevance of the 31MAR07 in the above. Does this mean that the fare is only available until March 31st? If so, I need to move fast!

The site states that the booking is amendable, but makes no mention of cancellation/ refund:

The Expedia rules and restrictions first page says:

INDUSTRY FARE TYPE - BU - BUSINESS CLASS UNRESTRICTED

and the second:

From: Colombo, Sri Lanka (CMB-Katunayake)
To: Vancouver, BC, Canada (YVR-All Airports)
(and return)
Fare Basis Code: C2R

PENALTIES

CHANGES

BEFORE DEPARTURE
CHANGES PERMITTED.
CHILD/INFANT DISCOUNTS APPLY.
WAIVED FOR DEATH OF PASSENGER OR FAMILY MEMBER.
NOTE -
--WHEN A TOTALLY UNUSED TICKET IS PRESENTED FOR A
CHANGE THE ENTIRE TICKET MUST BE REPRICED USING
CURRENT FARES.
--IF THE CHANGES REQUESTED BY THE PASSENGER DO NOT
QUALIFY FOR THE ORIGINAL TICKETED FARE THE FARE
MUST BE RE-PRICED USING CURRENT FARES.
--IF CHANGES ARE MADE TO THE FIRST TICKETED FLIGHT
COUPON THE ITINERARY MUST BE RE-PRICED USING
CURRENT FARES.
------
EXCEPTION-
DEATH OF FAMILY MEMBER NOT ACCOMPANYING PASSENGER.
IN THE EVENT A PASSENGER RETURNS PRIOR TO THE
MINIMUM STAY REQUIREMENT DUE TO THE DEATH OF AN
IMMEDIATE FAMILY MEMBER NOT TRAVELING WITH THE
PASSENGER ADDITIONAL AMOUNTS PAID IN ORDER TO
RETURN EARLY WILL BE REFUNDED TO THE PASSENGER
PROVIDED A VALID DEATH CERTIFICATE IS TURNED IN
TO UA. NO REFUND WILL BE GIVEN IF THE PASSENGER
IS UNABLE TO PRODUCE A VALID DEATH CERTIFICATE.
-----
DEATH OF PASSENGER ENROUTE.
IN THE EVENT OF DEATH OF THE PASSENGER THE FARE
WILL BE REFUNDED TO THE PASSENGERS ESTATE IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS IN RULE 90
/REFUNDS/. ANY APPLICABLE ADMINISTRATIVE
SERVICE CHANGE WILL APPLY.
-----

AFTER DEPARTURE
CHANGES PERMITTED.
CHILD/INFANT DISCOUNTS APPLY.
WAIVED FOR DEATH OF PASSENGER OR FAMILY MEMBER.
NOTE -
--IF CHANGES ARE MADE TO OTHER THAN THE FIRST
TICKETED FLIGHT COUPON THE FARE MUST BE
REASSESSED USING FARES/ RULES AND RATE/S/ OF
EXCHANGE IN EFFECT ON THE DATE OF ORIGINAL
TICKET ISSUE.
--IF THE NEW ITINERARY REQUALIFIES FOR THE
ORIGINALLY TICKETED FARE BUT RESULTS IN A HIGHER
FARE AMOUNT THE DIFFERENCE IN FARE MUST BE
COLLECTED AT THE TIME OF REISSUE.
--IF THE NEW ITINERARY RESULTS IN A LOWER FARE THE
DIFFERENCE IN FARE WILL BE REFUNDED BACK TO THE
ORIGINAL FORM OF PAYMENT. IF CASH WAS USED A
REFUND CHECK WILL BE PROCESSED AND MAILED TO
THE PASSENGER.
--THE FULL VALUE OF THE ORIGINAL FARE MAY BE
APPLIED TOWARD THE UPGRADE OF A NEW FARE OF


Can anybody say for sure whether this fare is refundable in the event of cancellation?

Thanks

Question - what is the relevance of the 31MAR07 in the above. Does this mean that the fare is only available until March 31st? If so, I need to move fast!Actually, that's just the date (local to the point of departure) on which the fare information was retrieved.

Can anybody say for sure whether this fare is refundable in the event of cancellation?Fares are fully refundable by default, unless a specific penalty is listed. This is a normal (read: full) C fare and can be refunded in full, when purchased directly from the airline. However, a TA (Expedia) may impose its own fees.

[KVS Availability Tool 2.8.1/Platinum - ZUJ: CMB-YVR/UA/C2R/1408 USD] (http://KVS.UnrealNetwork.com/Tool/?R)
BUSINESS CLASS UNRESTRICTED NORMAL FARE

[BK CODE]
C -

[PENALTY]
CHANGES BEFORE DEPARTURE CHANGES PERMITTED. CHILD/INFANT DISCOUNTS APPLY.
WAIVED FOR DEATH OF PASSENGER OR FAMILY MEMBER. NOTE - --WHEN A TOTALLY
UNUSED TICKET IS PRESENTED FOR A CHANGE THE ENTIRE TICKET MUST
BE REPRICED USING CURRENT FARES. --IF THE CHANGES REQUESTED BY THE PASSENGER
DO NOT QUALIFY FOR THE ORIGINAL TICKETED FARE THE FARE MUST
BE RE-PRICED USING CURRENT FARES. --IF CHANGES ARE MADE TO THE FIRST
TICKETED FLIGHT COUPON THE ITINERARY MUST BE RE-PRICED USING CURRENT
FARES. --- EXCEPTION- DEATH OF FAMILY MEMBER NOT ACCOMPANYING PASSENGER.
IN THE EVENT A PASSENGER RETURNS PRIOR TO THE MINIMUM STAY REQUIREMENT
DUE TO THE DEATH OF AN IMMEDIATE FAMILY MEMBER NOT TRAVELING
WITH THE PASSENGER ADDITIONAL AMOUNTS PAID IN ORDER TO RETURN EARLY WILL
BE REFUNDED TO THE PASSENGER PROVIDED A VALID DEATH CERTIFICATE IS
TURNED IN TO UA. NO REFUND WILL BE GIVEN IF THE PASSENGER IS UNABLE
TO PRODUCE A VALID DEATH CERTIFICATE. --- DEATH OF PASSENGER ENROUTE.
IN THE EVENT OF DEATH OF THE PASSENGER THE FARE WILL BE REFUNDED TO
THE PASSENGERS ESTATE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS IN RULE 90
/REFUNDS/. ANY APPLICABLE ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICE CHANGE WILL APPLY. ---
AFTER DEPARTURE CHANGES PERMITTED. CHILD/INFANT DISCOUNTS APPLY. WAIVED
FOR DEATH OF PASSENGER OR FAMILY MEMBER. NOTE - --IF CHANGES ARE
MADE TO OTHER THAN THE FIRST TICKETED FLIGHT COUPON THE FARE MUST BE
REASSESSED USING FARES/ RULES AND RATE/S/ OF EXCHANGE IN EFFECT ON
THE DATE OF ORIGINAL TICKET ISSUE. --IF THE NEW ITINERARY REQUALIFIES
FOR THE ORIGINALLY TICKETED FARE BUT RESULTS IN A HIGHER FARE AMOUNT
THE DIFFERENCE IN FARE MUST BE COLLECTED AT THE TIME OF REISSUE. --IF
THE NEW ITINERARY RESULTS IN A LOWER FARE THE DIFFERENCE IN FARE
WILL BE REFUNDED BACK TO THE ORIGINAL FORM OF PAYMENT. IF CASH WAS USED
A REFUND CHECK WILL BE PROCESSED AND MAILED TO THE PASSENGER. --THE
FULL VALUE OF THE ORIGINAL FARE MAY BE APPLIED TOWARD THE UPGRADE
OF A NEW FARE OF EQUAL OR HIGHER VALUE UPON PAYMENT OF ANY DIFFERENCE
IN FARE. --IF THE ONLY COUPONS REMAINING ARE FOR DOMESTIC TRAVEL THE
TICKET MAY NOT BE REISSUED FOR INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL. --- EXCEPTION-
DEATH OF FAMILY MEMBER NOT ACCOMPANYING PASSENGER. IN THE EVENT A PASSENGER
RETURNS PRIOR TO THE MINIMUM STAY REQUIREMENT DUE TO THE DEATH
OF AN IMMEDIATE FAMILY MEMBER NOT TRAVELING WITH THE PASSENGER ADDITIONAL
AMOUNTS PAID IN ORDER TO RETURN EARLY WILL BE REFUNDED TO THE PASSENGER
PROVIDED A VALID DEATH CERTIFICATE IS TURNED IN TO UA. NO REFUND
WILL BE GIVEN IF THE PASSENGER IS UNABLE TO PRODUCE A VALID DEATH
CERTIFICATE. --- DEATH OF PASSENGER ENROUTE. IN THE EVENT OF DEATH
OF THE PASSENGER THE FARE WILL BE REFUNDED TO THE PASSENGERS ESTATE
IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS IN RULE 90 /REFUNDS/. ANY APPLICABLE
ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICE CHANGE WILL APPLY. ---

[SEASONS]
NO SEASON RESTRICTIONS APPLY.

[BLACKOUTS]
NO BLACKOUT RESTRICTIONS APPLY.

[FLT APPL]
APPLIES TO ANY UA FLIGHT ON THE DEPARTURE OF EACH TRANSPACIFIC SECTOR.

[STOPOVERS]
UNLIMITED STOPOVERS PERMITTED. A STOPOVER OCCURS WHEN THE PASSENGER DOES
NOT DEPART AN INTERMEDIATE POINT WITHIN 24 HOURS.

[TICKET RESTRICTIONS]
TICKETS MAY BE ISSUED: BY PTA AND SATISFIES TICKETING REQUIREMENTS

[SURCHGS]
FUEL SURCHG OF CAD 15.00 APPLIES PER ADT/CHD/INF IN EACH DIRECTION. APPLIES
TO TRANSATLANTIC INTL SECTOR. SURCHG OF CAD 15.00 APPLIES PER ADT/CHD/INF
IN EACH DIRECTION. APPLIES TO TRANSPACIFIC INTL SECTOR.

[DISCOUNTS]
75 PCT OF THE ADT FARE IS CHARGED FOR A CNN PSGR 2 THRU 11 YRS OF AGE.
CNN PSGR MUST BE ACCOMPANIED ON ALL SGMTS BY AN ADT PSGR TRAVELING IN
THE SAME COMPARTMENT. - - - - 100 PCT OF THE ADT FARE IS CHARGED FOR
A UNN PSGR 8 THRU 11 YRS OF AGE. PSGR MAY BE UNACCOMPANIED. - - - -
75 PCT OF THE ADT FARE IS CHARGED FOR AN INS PSGR UNDER 2 YRS OF AGE.
INS PSGR MUST BE ACCOMPANIED ON ALL SGMTS BY AN ADT PSGR TRAVELING
IN THE SAME COMPARTMENT. - - - - 10 PCT OF THE ADT FARE IS CHARGED FOR
AN INF PSGR UNDER 2 YRS OF AGE NOT OCCUPYING A SEAT. ONLY 1 PSGR IS
PERMITTED AT THIS DISCOUNT PER ADT PSGR. INF PSGR MUST BE ACCOMPANIED
ON ALL SGMTS BY AN ADT PSGR TRAVELING IN THE SAME COMPARTMENT.

[REROUTE]
SEE PENALTY.

[TRANSFERS]
4 TRANSFERS PERMITTED, 2 IN EACH DIRECTION. ADDITIONALLY UNLIMITED TRANSFERS
PERMITTED IN AREA 1-WESTERN HEMISPHERE. ADDITIONALLY UNLIMITED
TRANSFERS PERMITTED.

[COMBINATIONS]
CARRIER / RULE / FARE CIRCLE OPEN ROUND BASIS TRIP
JAW TRIP SAME / SAME / SAME C C C SAME / SAME
/ DIFF C C C SAME / DIFF / SAME C
C C SAME / DIFF / DIFF C C C DIFF /
SAME / SAME C C C DIFF / SAME / DIFF
C C C DIFF / DIFF / SAME C C C DIFF
/ DIFF / DIFF C C C Y / PERMITTED N / NOT PERMITTED
- / DOES NOT APPLY C / SEE TEXT FOR CONDITIONS CONDITIONS APPLICABLE
TO ROUND TRIP/CIRCLE TRIP/SINGLE OR DOUBLE OPEN JAW - -MAY
BE COMBINED WITH ANY ONE WAY/ROUND TRIP FARE OF THE SAME FARE TYPE GOVERNED
BY ANY RULE IN IPRP/IPRPC VIA ANY CARRIER. -MOST RESTRICTIVE CONDITIONS
APPLY. ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS APPLY ROUND TRIP - -PERMITTED.
CIRCLE TRIP - -PERMITTED. OPEN JAW - -SINGLE OPEN JAW PERMITTED
AT EITHER ORIGIN OR DESTINATION. DOUBLE OPEN JAW PERMITTED. END-ON-END
- -PERMITTED. TRAVEL MUST BE VIA THE FARE COMBINATION POINT.

[OPEN RTN]
ALLOWED.

[REFUNDS]
SEE PENALTY.

[CO-TERMINALS]
NOT APPLICABLE.

[INTL CONST]
MAY BE COMBINED WITH APPLICABLE ARBITRARIES.

Thanks so much KVS. Seems so obvious now that I know the answer!