if there's a little loophole, this may be it:

A. ANY CHANGE TO OUTBOUND FLT OR CHANGE IN CITY PAIRS REQUIRES REPRICING OF ENTIRE TKT. DIFFERENCE IN FARES PLUS THE CHNG FEE MUST BE PAID. IF THE NEW FARE RESULTS IN A LOWER PRICE THE DIFFERENCE IN FARES LESS THE CHNG FEE WILL BE GIVEN IN A NONREFUNDABLE VOUCHER VALID FOR TRAVEL ON US AIRWAYS.

so, if you can find a $39 fare, you could have the ticket reissued for a $39 flight, and get an MCO for the rest. it's better than paying $100 again, and you get the added pleasure of tying up a seat you know you'll never use.

the rules don't say anything about nonrefundable tickets being reissued at unrestricted fares. the NW rule is better written and disallows that option--others will probably match the better language:

B.WHOLLY UNUSED NONREFUNDABLE TICKET POLICY. . A WHOLLY UNUSED NONRFND TKT MAY BE APPLIED TOWARDS THE PURCHASE OF A NW/KL DOMESTIC/INTERNATIONAL NONREFUNDABLE TKT PROVIDED CHANGES ARE MADE PRIOR TO THE ORIGINALLY SCHEDULED/TICKETED FLIGHT. CHANGES WHICH ARE REQUESTED AFTER THE ORIGINALLY SCHEDULED/TICKETED FLIGHT ARE NOT PERMITTED AND THE TICKET HAS NOT VALUE. -LIMIT OF ONE TKT MAY BE APPLIED TOWARDS A NEW NONREFUNDABLE TICKET. -APPLICABLE CHANGE FEE APPLIES. .


[This message has been edited by Seat1A (edited 09-06-2002).]