#1
PHLGovFlyer , Aug 18, 2012 12:25 pm
YesterdayI'm close to purchasing a PHL-SYD ticket. I'm planning on upgrading with a GPU so I'll need to purchase at least a W fare. When I search for tickets I get the option of purchasing a $3000 "flexible" V fare for about $150 more than a regular W fare. I might need to make changes or even cancel the trip so a flexible fare might be a good deal. The V fare rules are:
Can I only use the residual for another ticket PHL-SYD?
Can I use the residual for a cheap domestic ticket and get the remainder credited to my credit card?
If there is any schedule change it looks like I get to cancel the ticket for free right? Is this different if I purchase a non-flexible fare?
Code:
So if I need to cancel the ticket I'd pay a $300 fee but then what happens?FARE RULES TEXT CANCELLATIONS BEFORE DEPARTURE CHARGE USD 300.00. WAIVED FOR SCHEDULE CHANGE. NOTE - -- CHILDREN GENERAL RULE NOT APPLICABLE CAT 19 - INFANT W/O A SEAT // CHILD // INFANT WITH A SEAT -- A. UA CUSTOMER COMMITMENT -- CUSTOMERS WHO PURCHASE A TICKET FOR TRAVEL ON UNITED VIA UA CHANNELS MAY CANCEL THEIR RESERVATIONS/REFUND TICKET WITHOUT PENALTY WITHIN 24HRS OF PURCHASE. -- B. EXCHANGE - CHANGE TO 1ST TICKETED FLIGHT / WHOLLY UNUSED TICKET -- FULL VALUE OF WHOLLY UNUSED TICKET MAY BE APPLIED TOWARDS PURCHASE OF A NEW TICKET PRICED AT CURRENT FARE LEVELS UPON PAYMENT OF THE CANCEL FEE CONTAINED WITHIN THIS RULE AND DIFFERENCE IN FARE/TAX/FEES/SURCHARGES COLLECTED/REFUNDED AT TIME OF EXCHANGE. -- -TAG 5 - WHOLLY UNUSED TICKET / CHANGE TO OUTBOUND 1ST TICKETED FLIGHT COUPON -- REPRICE USING CURRENT QUALIFYING FARES -- CHARGE FEE OR HIGHEST FEE OF ALL CHANGED FARE COMPONENTS -- 1. ADVANCE RES IS MEASURED FROM REISSUE DATE TO DEPARTURE OF PRICING UNIT 2. TKT REISSUE RESTRICTED TO UA OR ANY CARRIER -- WHEN CHANGE RESULTS IN FARE DIFFERNCE-- -- 2 STEP PROCESS REFUND RESIDUAL VIA ORIGINAL FORM OF PAYMENT - IF APPLICABLE. RESIDUAL VALUE MAY NOT BE APPLIED TOWARD FEE. ADD-COLLECT FEE / FARE DIFFERENCE -IF APPLICABLE. -- C. BOOKING CODE CHANGE PERMITTED -- WHEN A LOWER FARE IS INTRODUCED INTO THE MARKET ) OR A CURRENT FARE IS REDUCED OR BOOKING CODE BECOMES AVAILABLE / THE TICKETED PASSENGER MAY QUALIFY FOR ONE OF THE ABOVE OPTIONS. ALL PROVISIONS OF THE QUALIFYING FARE MUST BE MET BEFORE DEPARTURE. NO CHANGE TO ORIGIN/DESTINATION/DATES/FLIGHTS. ---ONLY BOOKING CODE CHANGE IS PERMITTED---. -- AN ADMINISTRATIVE FEE EQUAL TO THE CHANGE FEE WILL BE ASSESSED. RESIDUAL VALUE / IF ANY / WILL BE RETURNED TO THE ORIGINAL FORM OF PAYMENT. -- -TAG 7 - ONLY BOOKING CODE CHANGE PERMITTED-- -- RPRICE USING CURRENT QUALIFYING FARES. CHARGE FEE OR HIGHEST FEE OF ALL CHANGED FARE COMPONENTS. 1. NO CHANGE TO FARE BREAKS/FLIGHTS/DATES 2. UA FARES ARE USED 3. ADV RES IS MEASURE FROM REISSUE DATE T0 DEPARTURE OF PRICING UNIT -- WHEN CHANGE RESULTS IN FARE DIFFERENCE -- -- 2 STEP PROCESS REFUND RESIDUAL VIA ORIGINAL FORM OF PAYMENT - IF APPLICABLE. RESIDUAL VALUE MAY NOT BE APPLIED TOWARD FEE. ADD-COLLECT FEE / FARE DIFFERENCE - IF APPLICABLE.
Can I only use the residual for another ticket PHL-SYD?
Can I use the residual for a cheap domestic ticket and get the remainder credited to my credit card?
If there is any schedule change it looks like I get to cancel the ticket for free right? Is this different if I purchase a non-flexible fare?
#2
If you pay the $300 cancellation fee, the rest will be refunded to your credit card--no need to deal with travel credit or trying to arbitrage the credit through a cheap domestic flight. This is a refundable fare (albeit with a penalty for refunding).
There should be a separate "Changes" section to the fare rules that will also spell out a change fee, but typically on those fares changes would be a $250 fee ... so if your plans change your choices are to refund for $300 or change for $250. All of the fees are waived for qualifying schedule changes--I think that the carriage of contract specifies that the schedule change must change your arrival or departure time by more than 2 hours to qualify (or changes carriers, such as switching from mainline to UX), but I haven't looked at it in a while.
The "waived for schedule changes" is standard language on all fares. What you're paying the extra $150 for is the ability to get a refund to the original form of payment rather than ending up with a travel credit that expires after 1 year.
There should be a separate "Changes" section to the fare rules that will also spell out a change fee, but typically on those fares changes would be a $250 fee ... so if your plans change your choices are to refund for $300 or change for $250. All of the fees are waived for qualifying schedule changes--I think that the carriage of contract specifies that the schedule change must change your arrival or departure time by more than 2 hours to qualify (or changes carriers, such as switching from mainline to UX), but I haven't looked at it in a while.
The "waived for schedule changes" is standard language on all fares. What you're paying the extra $150 for is the ability to get a refund to the original form of payment rather than ending up with a travel credit that expires after 1 year.
#3
PHLGovFlyer , Aug 18, 2012 1:46 pm
Quote:
So if I buy a non-flexible W fare I can still end up with a UA travel credit for about $2850 if I buy the W fare and later cancel? I can easily spend $2850 of UA credits over the course of a year so that would be an acceptable option. Originally Posted by Sykes
The "waived for schedule changes" is standard language on all fares. What you're paying the extra $150 for is the ability to get a refund to the original form of payment rather than ending up with a travel credit that expires after 1 year.
If I end up with $2850 of UA "play money" can I spend it over several tickets rather than just one?
Here's the rest of the fare rule if it helps:
Code:
D. EMERGENCY PROVISION -- TICKET MAY BE USED TOWARD PURCHASE OF ANOTHER TICKET DUE TO AN EMERGENCY OF PASSENGER / IMMEDIATE FAMILY MEMBER OR TRAVELING COMPANION. DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED CONTACT CARRIER. AFTER DEPARTURE CHARGE USD 300.00. WAIVED FOR SCHEDULE CHANGE. NOTE - -- CHILDREN GENERAL NOT APPLICABLE CAT 19 - INFANT W/O A SEAT // CHILD// INFANT WITH A SEAT -- --CALCULATE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FARE PAID AND QUALIFYING FARE FOR TRAVEL COMPLETE USING FARES OF ORIGINAL TICKET DATE / LESS CANCEL PENALTY / REFUND RESIDUAL VALUE IF ANY TO ORIGINAL FORM OF PAYMENT. CHANGES ANY TIME ) CHARGE USD 250.00 FOR REISSUE/REVALIDATION. WAIVED FOR SCHEDULE CHANGE. NOTE - -- CHILDREN GENERAL RULE NOT APPLICABLE CAT 19 - INFANT W/O A SEAT // CHILD // INFANT WITH A SEAT -- A. CHANGE MADE TO OTHER THAN THE FIRST TICKETED FLIGHT -- TICKETS MUST BE REISSUED WHEN ANY VOLUNTARY CHANGE IS MADE. WHEN TICKETED RESERVATIONS ARE CANCELLED PRIOR TO FLIGHT TIME - NEW FLIGHTS MUST BE CONFIRMED AND TICKET REISSUED. NO OPEN RETURNS PERMITTED. -- IF CHANGES ARE MADE TO OTHER THAN THE FIRST TICKETED FLIGHT / THE FARE LEVELS IN EFFECT AT TIME OF ORIGINAL TICKET ISSUE WILL APPLY PROVIDED THE NEW ITINERARY QUALIFIES FOR ALL THE PROVISIONS OF THE ORIGINALLY TICKETED FARE FAMILY / IGNORING ADVANCE RESERVATION OR TICKETING REQUIREMENTS. -- CHARGE FEE OR HIGHEST FEE OF ALL CHANGED FARE COMPONENTS. -- TAG 1 - REPRICE USING CURRENTLY TKTD FARE SAME BOOKING CODE / KEEP THE FARE. -- PROVIDED THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS ARE MET 1. NO CHANGE TO 1ST FLIGHT COUPON/FARE BREAKS 2. WHEN NO INTL COUPONS REMAIN - ALL NEW TRAVEL MUST BE DOMESTIC 3. ALL RULE AND BOOKING CODE PROVISIONS ARE MET EXCEPT ADV RES-TKT 4. ADV RES IS MEASURED FROM ORIGINAL TKT DATE TO DEPARTURE OF PRICING UNIT 5. TKT REISSUE RESTRICTED TO UA OR ANY CARRIER -- KEEP THE FARE / EVEN EXCHANGE ADD COLLECT FEE -- OR --IF THE NEW ITINERARY QUALIFIES FOR THE ORIGINALLY TICKETED FARE FAMILY / BUT RESULTS IN A FARE DIFFERENCE DUE TO SEASONALITY / DAY OF WEEK -- --TAG 2 - HISTORICAL FARES / REPRICE USING FARES IN EFFECT WHEN TICKET WAS ISSUED PROVIDED THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS ARE MET 1. NO CHANGE TO 1ST FLIGHT COUPON ) 2. WHEN NO INTL COUPONS REMAIN - ALL NEW TRAVEL MUST BE DOMESTIC 3. B-/U-/M-/H-/Q-/V-/W-/ S-/T-/L-/K- FARE FAMILY FARES ARE USED 4. ALL BOOKING CODE PROVISIONS ARE MET 5. ADV RES IS MEASURED FROM ORIGINAL TKT DATE TO DEPARTURE OF PRICING UNIT 6. TKT REISSUE RESTRICTED TO UA OR ANY CARRIER -- WHEN CHANGE RESULTS IN FARE DIFFERENCE -- -- 2 STEP PROCESS OCCURS - -- REFUND RESIDUAL VIA ORIGINAL FORM OF PAYMENT - IF APPLICABLE. RESIDUAL VALUE MAY NOT BE APPLIED TOWARD FEE. ADD COLLECT FEE / FARE DIFFERENCE - IF APPLICABLE. -- OR -- IF CHANGE BY THE PASSENGER NO LONGER QUALIFY FOR THE ORIGINAL TICKETED FARE / FULL VALUE OF THE ORIGINAL TICKET MAY BE APPLIED TOWARDS NEW TICKET OF EQUAL OR HIGHER QUALIFYING FARE - USING FARES IN EFFECT ON THE ORIGINAL TICKETING DATE. -- FARE IS RECALCULATED FROM POINT OF ORIGIN / ANY DIFFERENCE IN FARE / TAXES AND CHANGE FEE CONTAINED WITHIN THIS RULE WILL BE APPLICABLE AT TIME OF CHANGE / REISSUE. -- --TAG 2 - REPRICE USING FARES IN EFFECT WHEN TKT WAS ISSUED 1. NO CHANGE TO 1ST FLIGHT COUPON 2. WHEN NO INTL COUPONS REMAIN - ALL NEW TRAVEL MUST BE DOMESTIC 3. NEW TKT HAS EQUAL OR HIGHER FARE VALUE THAN PREVIOUS TICKET 4. ALL BOOKING CODE PROVISIONS ARE MET 5. ADV RES IS MEASURED FROM ORIGINAL TKT DATE TO DEPARTURE OF PRICING UNIT 6. TKT REISSUE RESTRICTED TO UA OR ANY CARRIER -- WHEN CHANGE RESULTS IN FARE DIFFERENCE -- 2 STEP PROCESS OCCURS - -- REFUND RESIDUAL VIA ORIGINAL FORM OF PAYMENT - IF APPLICABLE. RESIDUAL VALUE MAY NOT BE APPLIED TOWARD FEE. ADD COLLECT FEE / FARE DIFFERENCE - IF APPLICABLE. ) -- B. EMERGENCY PROVISION -- TICKET MAY BE USED TOWARD PURCHASE OF ANOTHER TICKET DUE TO AN EMERGENCY OF PASSENGER / IMMEDIATE FAMILY MEMBER OR TRAVELING COMPANION. DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED CONTACT CARRIER.
#4
Quote:
As I suspected, the change fee is $250 on that ticket (as it is for most international economy tickets). Keep in mind that with the new UA, the change fee is charged separately and cannot be deducted from the residual value of the ticket.Originally Posted by PHLGovFlyer
If I end up with $2850 of UA "play money" can I spend it over several tickets rather than just one?
Unfortunately, I can't answer your last question--my understanding is that the refund comes in the form of a travel certificate, but I have never done it so I don't know the specifics of how it would be applied ... hopefully someone else can help with that.
#5
ILikeComfort , Aug 18, 2012 4:16 pm
Quote:
If I end up with $2850 of UA "play money" can I spend it over several tickets rather than just one?
Here's the rest of the fare rule if it helps:
No, you will get $3000 in credit. You will have to pay the fee with a credit card up front.Originally Posted by PHLGovFlyer
So if I buy a non-flexible W fare I can still end up with a UA travel credit for about $2850 if I buy the W fare and later cancel? I can easily spend $2850 of UA credits over the course of a year so that would be an acceptable option. If I end up with $2850 of UA "play money" can I spend it over several tickets rather than just one?
Here's the rest of the fare rule if it helps:
Code:
D. EMERGENCY PROVISION -- TICKET MAY BE USED TOWARD PURCHASE OF ANOTHER TICKET DUE TO AN EMERGENCY OF PASSENGER / IMMEDIATE FAMILY MEMBER OR TRAVELING COMPANION. DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED CONTACT CARRIER. AFTER DEPARTURE CHARGE USD 300.00. WAIVED FOR SCHEDULE CHANGE. NOTE - -- CHILDREN GENERAL NOT APPLICABLE CAT 19 - INFANT W/O A SEAT // CHILD// INFANT WITH A SEAT -- --CALCULATE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FARE PAID AND QUALIFYING FARE FOR TRAVEL COMPLETE USING FARES OF ORIGINAL TICKET DATE / LESS CANCEL PENALTY / REFUND RESIDUAL VALUE IF ANY TO ORIGINAL FORM OF PAYMENT. CHANGES ANY TIME ) CHARGE USD 250.00 FOR REISSUE/REVALIDATION. WAIVED FOR SCHEDULE CHANGE. NOTE - -- CHILDREN GENERAL RULE NOT APPLICABLE CAT 19 - INFANT W/O A SEAT // CHILD // INFANT WITH A SEAT -- A. CHANGE MADE TO OTHER THAN THE FIRST TICKETED FLIGHT -- TICKETS MUST BE REISSUED WHEN ANY VOLUNTARY CHANGE IS MADE. WHEN TICKETED RESERVATIONS ARE CANCELLED PRIOR TO FLIGHT TIME - NEW FLIGHTS MUST BE CONFIRMED AND TICKET REISSUED. NO OPEN RETURNS PERMITTED. -- IF CHANGES ARE MADE TO OTHER THAN THE FIRST TICKETED FLIGHT / THE FARE LEVELS IN EFFECT AT TIME OF ORIGINAL TICKET ISSUE WILL APPLY PROVIDED THE NEW ITINERARY QUALIFIES FOR ALL THE PROVISIONS OF THE ORIGINALLY TICKETED FARE FAMILY / IGNORING ADVANCE RESERVATION OR TICKETING REQUIREMENTS. -- CHARGE FEE OR HIGHEST FEE OF ALL CHANGED FARE COMPONENTS. -- TAG 1 - REPRICE USING CURRENTLY TKTD FARE SAME BOOKING CODE / KEEP THE FARE. -- PROVIDED THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS ARE MET 1. NO CHANGE TO 1ST FLIGHT COUPON/FARE BREAKS 2. WHEN NO INTL COUPONS REMAIN - ALL NEW TRAVEL MUST BE DOMESTIC 3. ALL RULE AND BOOKING CODE PROVISIONS ARE MET EXCEPT ADV RES-TKT 4. ADV RES IS MEASURED FROM ORIGINAL TKT DATE TO DEPARTURE OF PRICING UNIT 5. TKT REISSUE RESTRICTED TO UA OR ANY CARRIER -- KEEP THE FARE / EVEN EXCHANGE ADD COLLECT FEE -- OR --IF THE NEW ITINERARY QUALIFIES FOR THE ORIGINALLY TICKETED FARE FAMILY / BUT RESULTS IN A FARE DIFFERENCE DUE TO SEASONALITY / DAY OF WEEK -- --TAG 2 - HISTORICAL FARES / REPRICE USING FARES IN EFFECT WHEN TICKET WAS ISSUED PROVIDED THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS ARE MET 1. NO CHANGE TO 1ST FLIGHT COUPON ) 2. WHEN NO INTL COUPONS REMAIN - ALL NEW TRAVEL MUST BE DOMESTIC 3. B-/U-/M-/H-/Q-/V-/W-/ S-/T-/L-/K- FARE FAMILY FARES ARE USED 4. ALL BOOKING CODE PROVISIONS ARE MET 5. ADV RES IS MEASURED FROM ORIGINAL TKT DATE TO DEPARTURE OF PRICING UNIT 6. TKT REISSUE RESTRICTED TO UA OR ANY CARRIER -- WHEN CHANGE RESULTS IN FARE DIFFERENCE -- -- 2 STEP PROCESS OCCURS - -- REFUND RESIDUAL VIA ORIGINAL FORM OF PAYMENT - IF APPLICABLE. RESIDUAL VALUE MAY NOT BE APPLIED TOWARD FEE. ADD COLLECT FEE / FARE DIFFERENCE - IF APPLICABLE. -- OR -- IF CHANGE BY THE PASSENGER NO LONGER QUALIFY FOR THE ORIGINAL TICKETED FARE / FULL VALUE OF THE ORIGINAL TICKET MAY BE APPLIED TOWARDS NEW TICKET OF EQUAL OR HIGHER QUALIFYING FARE - USING FARES IN EFFECT ON THE ORIGINAL TICKETING DATE. -- FARE IS RECALCULATED FROM POINT OF ORIGIN / ANY DIFFERENCE IN FARE / TAXES AND CHANGE FEE CONTAINED WITHIN THIS RULE WILL BE APPLICABLE AT TIME OF CHANGE / REISSUE. -- --TAG 2 - REPRICE USING FARES IN EFFECT WHEN TKT WAS ISSUED 1. NO CHANGE TO 1ST FLIGHT COUPON 2. WHEN NO INTL COUPONS REMAIN - ALL NEW TRAVEL MUST BE DOMESTIC 3. NEW TKT HAS EQUAL OR HIGHER FARE VALUE THAN PREVIOUS TICKET 4. ALL BOOKING CODE PROVISIONS ARE MET 5. ADV RES IS MEASURED FROM ORIGINAL TKT DATE TO DEPARTURE OF PRICING UNIT 6. TKT REISSUE RESTRICTED TO UA OR ANY CARRIER -- WHEN CHANGE RESULTS IN FARE DIFFERENCE -- 2 STEP PROCESS OCCURS - -- REFUND RESIDUAL VIA ORIGINAL FORM OF PAYMENT - IF APPLICABLE. RESIDUAL VALUE MAY NOT BE APPLIED TOWARD FEE. ADD COLLECT FEE / FARE DIFFERENCE - IF APPLICABLE. ) -- B. EMERGENCY PROVISION -- TICKET MAY BE USED TOWARD PURCHASE OF ANOTHER TICKET DUE TO AN EMERGENCY OF PASSENGER / IMMEDIATE FAMILY MEMBER OR TRAVELING COMPANION. DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED CONTACT CARRIER.
#6
PHLGovFlyer , Aug 18, 2012 4:37 pm
Quote:
Unfortunately, I can't answer your last question--my understanding is that the refund comes in the form of a travel certificate, but I have never done it so I don't know the specifics of how it would be applied ... hopefully someone else can help with that.
Originally Posted by Sykes
As I suspected, the change fee is $250 on that ticket (as it is for most international economy tickets). Keep in mind that with the new UA, the change fee is charged separately and cannot be deducted from the residual value of the ticket.Unfortunately, I can't answer your last question--my understanding is that the refund comes in the form of a travel certificate, but I have never done it so I don't know the specifics of how it would be applied ... hopefully someone else can help with that.
Quote:
I'm OK with paying the $300 change fee with "new" money up front. I just want to be sure that the residual credit (either $2850 from the W fare or $3000 from the V fare) can be used on multiple tickets for different people on new tickets to different destinations. IOW, if I cancel the SYD ticket I'd like to use the credit to buy tickets to Hawaii for myself and two others.Originally Posted by ILikeComfort
No, you will get $3000 in credit. You will have to pay the fee with a credit card up front.