Originally Posted by
serfty
Of course, that's your best bet - get confirmed on alternative flights in relation to the original dates booked and the xONEx rules. Then subsequently endeavour to change these individual flights.
Originally Posted by
number_6
There is no way out of it; you have to fly the "dummy dates" to get INVOL; this would allow an extra segment or routing that otherwise violates the rules. But once you change the date, it requires reissue which then causes a routing check and you lose the INVOL benefit. You can try arguing the case that the INVOL routing change causes you to also change the date for some related reason (visa for transit, elongated travel time interferes with plan, etc.) but it is a very long shot. However a sympathetic agent/supervisor can "buy" your explanation if they want to and authorize INVOL with date change, but it takes more authority than the average agent has and they need some documented reason.
Thanks number_6, I see that is a gotcha. I'm still pondering my options. In the next week or so I will give it a try (need to move the segments scheduled for early April to mid-April). Will update this thread with the outcome.
FWIW I am thinking of just changing my SIN-BKK segment to a surface segment. It's been years, no decades
, since I travelled up the elephant's trunk of S.E. Asia, so it might be fun to re-visit old stomping grounds
Old intinerary: ...LHR-PEK-HKG-SIN-BKK-BOM-SYD-PER
New itinerary: ...LHR-PEK-HKG-SIN//BKK-BOM-HKG-PER