Originally Posted by
winslowny
I bought a ticket on continental.com two weeks ago for travel IAH-GRU-IAH in Feb 2009. Searched for the lowest fare available and paid $1400 for a M/I class fare. Today, the same itinerary is available for $1100 for a I/I class fare!!!!!! What gives?
This was not a "price decrease" but rather an adjustment to inventory as sbm12 pointed out. In order to get a refund/voucher with an airline that has a "guaranteed airfare" policy there has to have been a lower fare introduced for which the original itinerary qualifies. (See quote from UA.com below)
Originally Posted by
sbm12
You can pay the change fee and re-ticket at the lower fare and get a credit for the difference. Odds are the change fee is $150 so you'll pay $150 more to get a $300 voucher. You can decide if that is worthwhile to you or not.
This is an international ticket so the change fee is a bit more.
[KVS Availability Tool 3.3.0/Platinum - ZUJ: HOU-SAO/CO/MR3SAN/1399 USD]
Code:
REGULAR APEX
[PENALTIES]
FARE RULE ORIGINATING UNITED STATES -
TICKET IS NON-REFUNDABLE IN CASE OF CANCEL/ NO-SHOW. WAIVED FOR SCHEDULE
CHANGE/ILLNESS OR DEATH OF PASSENGER OR FAMILY MEMBER.
TICKET HAS NO VALUE UNLESS TICKETED FLIGHTS ARE CANCELLED
PRIOR TO TICKETED DEPARTURE TIME. CHANGES BEFORE DEPARTURE CHARGE USD 200.00.
CHILD/INFANT DISCOUNTS APPLY. WAIVED FOR SCHEDULE CHANGE/ILLNESS OR DEATH OF
PASSENGER OR FAMILY MEMBER.
WHEN THE ITINERARY RESULTS IN A LOWER FARE NO REFUNDS WILL BE MADE HOWEVER THE
DIFFERENCE IN FARE WILL BE RETURNED TO THE PASSENGER IN THE FORM OF A NON
REFUNDABLE TRAVEL VOUCHER WHICH MAY BE APPLIED TOWARDS THE PURCHASE OF A TICKET
VALID FOR TRANSPORTATION GOVERNED BY CO.
Originally Posted by
karenkay
you know, it's this very issue that's likely to keep me from renewing my plat status for '09.
since united will issue me a voucher for the difference if the price goes down, why wouldn't i ticket with them instead? 
i LIKE co, but my wallet likes having options.
For international tickets,UA's policy is the SAME as CO's:
If I have purchased a ticket and a new, lower fare is introduced, can I obtain a credit? Yes, in many cases you may obtain a credit voucher (non-refundable tickets) or refund (refundable tickets) over the phone (E-tickets only) or at any United ticket counter. A fee will apply for non-refundable tickets purchased for international travel. You can call the United Airlines Reservations Department at 800 UNITED 1 (800 864-8331). When we introduce new fares or reduce a current fare in a particular market, you may change a ticket to the new fare if:
- the change is made prior to departure
- you do not change the flight, date, origin, destination or stopover points
- reservations are confirmed in the appropriate class of service
- all fare restrictions are met
- the lower fare is not a special, united.com-only fare
Any applicable penalties are retroactive to the new fare ticket.