Best method for flexible flight?

sf2bkflyer · Dec 31, 12, 8:39 am

Hi everyone, new member here. From everything I know about FlyerTalk, I figured this would be the best place to get my question answered. Here goes:

My wife and I are expecting our first child in a few weeks.(!) We live in NY. My wife's mom lives in Michigan and wants to fly DTW-LGA (or JFK) as soon as she hears that my wife is in labor and then stay for about 10 days. We figured she would book a ticket in advance and change it as soon as she knows. We were thinking about the following options:

1. Unrestricted fare (this seems not worth the price?)
2. Restricted fare and then pay the change fee ($150) plus the difference in fare.
3. Mileage ticket and then pay the change fee ($150) plus the difference in miles.

I spoke to some Delta representatives, one of whom told me that if my mother-in-law called and explained to a rep that they would note her account and wave the change fee for #2 or #3?

If this is true or not, was wondering what would be the better option in terms of the likelihood of availability and fare difference between #2 and #3.

Any and all advice is welcome, thank you!

timmy83 · Dec 31, 12, 9:12 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by sf2bkflyer

Hi everyone, new member here. From everything I know about FlyerTalk, I figured this would be the best place to get my question answered. Here goes:

My wife and I are expecting our first child in a few weeks.(!) We live in NY. My wife's mom lives in Michigan and wants to fly DTW-LGA (or JFK) as soon as she hears that my wife is in labor and then stay for about 10 days. We figured she would book a ticket in advance and change it as soon as she knows. We were thinking about the following options:

1. Unrestricted fare (this seems not worth the price?)
2. Restricted fare and then pay the change fee ($150) plus the difference in fare.
3. Mileage ticket and then pay the change fee ($150) plus the difference in miles.

I spoke to some Delta representatives, one of whom told me that if my mother-in-law called and explained to a rep that they would note her account and wave the change fee for #2 or #3?

If this is true or not, was wondering what would be the better option in terms of the likelihood of availability and fare difference between #2 and #3.

Any and all advice is welcome, thank you!

That's really nice of the agents to offer that, but I don't really know how likely it is that that will be carried forward into action (others may have more experience with this).

I would consider just waiting. As long as there is a touch of flexibility, I would just wait until things are more imminent. Looking out those "few weeks" the fare buckets are still widely available.

Best of luck with whatever you decide

nystateofmind · Dec 31, 12, 9:17 am

Unless you are seeing "low" award inventory you can likely wait until something is more imminent if you are going to use miles. Even in January you are likely to good fares at the last minute especially since you do have some LCC from Detroit

sf2bkflyer · Dec 31, 12, 9:17 am

Thanks timmy83! The due date is January 23rd. So you think that buying even on 0-1 day's notice around then would be cheaper than buying now and paying fare difference and fee?

thanks!

mnbp · Dec 31, 12, 9:20 am

I'd consider just waiting until the date, and see what happens. If you have the miles, a last minute miles ticket might be the best bet as they're often available last minute for low.

mridley2 · Dec 31, 12, 9:22 am

I agree with previous poster. If you book now you will probably find a cheap flight but when you call to make the change the difference in Fare + $150 change fee will likely be more or about the same than you would pay for a walk up fare probably (M,B or H fare bucket) especially if you're flexible on time of flight and airport you're arriving into.

the agent you spoke with definitely gave incorrect information. They will not allow you to change your flight without a change fee though some people have been able to have the change fee waived if you're upgrading in fare or class (from Economy to First, for example).

Welcome to FT and Congratulations!!

timmy83 · Dec 31, 12, 9:22 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by sf2bkflyer

Thanks timmy83! The due date is January 23rd. So you think that buying even on 0-1 day's notice around then would be cheaper than buying now and paying fare difference and fee?

thanks!

Quite possibly, yes. It's hard to predict, but you should probably just monitor fares until closer to the date.
Others may have a better idea of flexibility options, but it will end up being like a box of chocolates.

Don't forget that irrespective of change fees, you'll likely have to pay a fare difference if you change which will end up equaling the same cost as what's available.

flights leaving tomorrow are $475. No chump change, certainly, but not astronomical either.

Congrats!

jb008 · Dec 31, 12, 9:24 am

I can often pick up flights from Syr and Roc into LGA for much cheaper than the change fee - idk if that's the case for DTW. I've found though that lower fare buckets often close on LGA whereas JFK is still available. So right now arriving in LGA costs ~$100 more than arriving into JFK.

Also might be worth the call in to see if delivery counts as hospitalization for medical fares
http://www.delta.com/content/www/en_...s/medical.html

jb008 · Dec 31, 12, 9:29 am

I've tried to buy last minute tickets on Delta into nyc and they're never cheap

Spirit has 1-way tickets running sub $150 around that time for DTW into LGA (NOTE: they charge for EVERYTHING including carry-on baggage so ymmv)

I've had Delta waive reticketing fees for extraordinary circumstances, but it's not something you can count on either.

nystateofmind · Dec 31, 12, 9:30 am

I would add that I have not had much success with agents following through with waiving change fees in situations like this although YMMV. With all of the New York area airports (do not forget about HPN and EWR) that Delta flies non-stop from DTW you are likely to find a reasonable last minute fare/miles somewhere and it may not be much different from what you are seeing now

sf2bkflyer · Dec 31, 12, 9:32 am

Wow, thanks for all the great replies everyone! So impressed with this forum. Sounds like the consensus is to wait and just buy right then, which makes sense. The rep brought up the hospitalization thing also. It sounds like it's a possibility if the doctor provides evidence, so another option to consider.

thank you all for the speedy and helpful replies. Happy New Year!

jb008 · Dec 31, 12, 9:47 am

Anyone know what the policy is for changing existing reservations with proof of hospitalization that would normally qualify someone for Medical fare?

If that change policy is permissive, another route may be to lock in a reasonable priced fare now on your best guess of travel dates and then change if necessary.

DLFan2 · Dec 31, 12, 12:05 pm

Just have her come on out and spend a couple of months with you..

exwannabe · Dec 31, 12, 1:09 pm

Would this be a decent time to buy WN tickets?

indufan · Dec 31, 12, 1:22 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by sf2bkflyer

Thanks timmy83! The due date is January 23rd. So you think that buying even on 0-1 day's notice around then would be cheaper than buying now and paying fare difference and fee?

thanks!

I want to make sure we are clear here. If you purchase NOW and change the outbound part of the ticket, it's not a change fee. You gotta buy a new ticket with credit left from the other ticket minus the $150 ASC.

Now, if you buy one NOW for say Jan 22nd and travel on that date and pick some date about 10 days later to return...you can change the return for only the $150 plus any fare increase BUT as long as the fare bucket is open (regardless of advance purchase requirements) then you only owe the $150. With some flexibility, you ought to be able to find something within that same fare class.