Aer Lingus Gold Circle Club - EI and fare decreases

Since there's no master EI thread, I thought I'd just update here for everyone's benefit.

On most airlines if a fare goes down more than the change fee, you can get the difference as a voucher. On EI there is no way to get this. And they won't take the change fee out of the fare difference either.

So if you bought a ticket for $1,000 and the fare dropped to $500, they would still charge $150 per direction to change dates in cash and then just keep the fare difference. And even keeping your dates, there is no way to collect that $200 beyond the change fee.

Just all FYI.

On most airlines if a fare goes down more than the change fee, you can get the difference as a voucher.

I sincerely doubt this.

I sincerely doubt this.

OK, on most US-based airlines. Examples where you cannot?

I personally don't know any European airline that operate this.

I personally don't know any European airline that operate this.

Granted, I'm in the US so that is my comparison. From what you say, it sounds like EI is in line with other Euro carriers. But it would still be a surprise to my US friends, so useful information for them/us :)

I like it our way. If I buy a $2,000 ticket in the US and they drop a fare sale the next day dropping it to $1,200, I can at least get a nice voucher. You guys would just be out the $800! Ouch! Actually, as recently as about 5 years ago, AA would simply refund the difference to your credit card with no change fee (they called it a rollover). That went the way of the dodo bird but at least you can still get the difference minus change fees as a voucher.

So on EI, you can't just cancel the ticket (getting a refund), and then book a new one at the cheaper price?

Most EI fares are non refundable, keep in mind that EI is a hybrid LCC with a full service TATL arm. Details of their fares, refunds (and fees) are here (http://www.aerlingus.com/help/help/feesfares/).

Most EI fares are non refundable, keep in mind that EI is a hybrid LCC with a full service TATL arm. Details of their fares, refunds (and fees) are here (http://www.aerlingus.com/help/help/feesfares/).

If it was a $2000 ticket, it was probably business class and will therefore be refundable at a penalty of at most 15%.

On economy and short-haul routes, EI is in line with normal market practice of EU carriers.

To be fair, most EI short-haul tickets prices comprise 60-80% taxes and charges, so the fare element is minor; if the fare dropped 20%, it would be a lot of work to get a €5 refund. ;)

I like it our way. If I buy a $2,000 ticket in the US and they drop a fare sale the next day dropping it to $1,200, I can at least get a nice voucher. You guys would just be out the $800! Ouch! Actually, as recently as about 5 years ago, AA would simply refund the difference to your credit card with no change fee (they called it a rollover). That went the way of the dodo bird but at least you can still get the difference minus change fees as a voucher.

Do they then bill you with each subsequent fare increase?

Started a new thread on this topic to move a couple of post out of another thread over here

ralfkrippner,
forum moderator