Alitalia MilleMiglia - Reason not to book on AZ's website - No fare guarantee

Don't know how I could've let myself fall into this trap as I'm usually more savvy, but learn from my mistake.

Booked FCO-MLA in the afternoon. The next morning I noticed the fare dropped by $6. Not much, but it's something. I simply assumed that AZ was like its ST partner DL and could void the ticket within a 24hr period and re-book at the lower fare. I also assumed, like DL, there was a fare guarantee if you use alitalia.com. Nope.

After calling AZ, the agent said my only option would be paying the 50 euro change fee. My ST Elite+ status meant squat.

Had I booked using Expedia or the like, not only would they have refunded me the difference, but issue $50 travel credit. What a dunderhead I am for using alitalia.com!

It's also a good idea to check code-share partners if applicable (probably wouldn't be in the case of MLA). I recently booked JFK-MXP/FCO-JFK and ended up with a DL operated flight on the outbound and AZ on the return. The exact same flights priced out around $50 cheaper on DL's website than on AZ's.

It's also a good idea to check code-share partners if applicable (probably wouldn't be in the case of MLA). I recently booked JFK-MXP/FCO-JFK and ended up with a DL operated flight on the outbound and AZ on the return. The exact same flights priced out around $50 cheaper on DL's website than on AZ's.

Attempted to book through DL, but they wouldn't let me as this was an all-AZ itinerary. I couldn't only do it if it was in conjunction with a DL or codeshare one, ie JFK-FCO-MLA. AF.com wouldn't let me either.

Don't know how I could've let myself fall into this trap as I'm usually more savvy, but learn from my mistake.

Booked FCO-MLA in the afternoon. The next morning I noticed the fare dropped by $6. Not much, but it's something. I simply assumed that AZ was like its ST partner DL and could void the ticket within a 24hr period and re-book at the lower fare. I also assumed, like DL, there was a fare guarantee if you use alitalia.com. Nope.

After calling AZ, the agent said my only option would be paying the 50 euro change fee. My ST Elite+ status meant squat.

Had I booked using Expedia or the like, not only would they have refunded me the difference, but issue $50 travel credit. What a dunderhead I am for using alitalia.com!

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Booked FCO-MLA in the afternoon. The next morning I noticed the fare dropped by $6. Not much, but it's something. I simply assumed that AZ was like its ST partner DL and could void the ticket within a 24hr period and re-book at the lower fare. I also assumed, like DL, there was a fare guarantee if you use alitalia.com. Nope.

After calling AZ, the agent said my only option would be paying the 50 euro change fee. My ST Elite+ status meant squat.

Had I booked using Expedia or the like, not only would they have refunded me the difference, but issue $50 travel credit. What a dunderhead I am for using alitalia.com!

Best fare guarantee means you cannot find a better fare on a different site for the same trip/dates/all conditions being equal.

From the website:
"If on the same day..." (it was the day after)

"Make sure that the fare you have found on another web site is at least $10 lower per booking" (it was 6$).

Honestly, it seems quite a ridiculous amount to claim from anybody ;)

Best fare guarantee means you cannot find a better fare on a different site for the same trip/dates/all conditions being equal.

From the website:
"If on the same day..." (it was the day after)

"Make sure that the fare you have found on another web site is at least $10 lower per booking" (it was 6$).

Honestly, it seems quite a ridiculous amount to claim from anybody ;)

On Expedia the language is "within 24 hours of booking with Expedia.com" and there is no minimum lower rate. This was the exact same itinerary and even AZ fare codes. Sure $6 ain't much, but $50 of travel credit is rather significant.

On Expedia the language is "within 24 hours of booking with Expedia.com" and there is no minimum lower rate. This was the exact same itinerary and even AZ fare codes. Sure $6 ain't much, but $50 of travel credit is rather significant.

Then book on Expedia next time :-)

My personal line of reasoning (which is why I use a travel agent instead) is that unless getting those 56 USD back takes less than 20 minutes, it is likely that I would be earning more by doing my job instead :-)