Originally Posted by
FenLandK
Does it explicitly say that the $275 is a change fee, or could it just be a difference in the underlying fare between the two dates? There is a line in the original T&Cs that seems (in my layman's eyes) to cover that:
My bolding - a ticket will be re-priced when you make changes, based on the underlying fare rules. As it's an MFU, it's quite possible that there is a difference in the underlying fare between the original date and the new date, although only you will know what those are.
That's what I thought initially as well, but it clearly states "Additional fare per person: CAD0.00" and "Additional fees, charges and surcharges per person: CAD275.00" so its clearly not a fare difference.
My italicising - This section indicates that the highest penalty is charged, so depending on the fare buckets and conditions for the non-MFU leg, then this also may be the reason for the change fee (or, in fact, new fare).
I think this highlights the difference between a pure awards ticket and an MFU, especially where there are component of a ticket that haven't been MFU'd. I know it sticks in your throat, but another way to look at it is how much the ticket would have been in the upgraded cabin should you have had to pay cash for it in the first place? I'm sure the difference would have been much more than $275...
Yes I agree what you've italicised is clearly what they're doing. My gripe is that its a conditional statement, and nowhere does it indicate that that condition applies to this ticket. Nor has it shown me anywhere in the process what the penalty conditions of the other component are. Or any other conditions of the other component for that matter, or even that there is any other component. Its the equivalent of inserting clauses into a contract after its signed.
Your point about the relative cost vs. full fare is well taken, however I simply wouldn't pay full fare for CW. Maybe a last-minute cheap upgrade, but that's about all its worth.
Now, just to confuse things further, I've discovered that the new T&Cs its coming up with on the changed ticket are different again from these phantom T&Cs that are governing the non-MFU leg of the trip. Whereas the new T&Cs state no refunds for cancellation, period, it will refund me the non-MFU leg if I just cancel it now without changing (less a $275 fee,
less another $50 fee on top of that!
) This is more in line with discount fares I've bought in the past. I've never encountered an utterly unrefundable ticket sold in Canada. I'm not even sure that would be legal here.
I can only conclude there are three sets of T&Cs in play, all saying different things. I am beyond confused.
ps yes, any of my friends will tell you, I really am this anal-retentive.
