Look up fare rules? You've got to be kidding.
Here's a typical UA fare rule:
Sales and Restrictions GENERAL RULES TEXT
NOTE -
EXTENSION OF TICKET VALIDITY DUE TO MEDICAL
REASONS PERMITTED UNDER GUIDELINES SET FORTH
BY CARRIER. CONTACT CARRIER FOR DETAILS.
)
Refunds/Change FARE RULES TEXT
CANCELLATIONS
BEFORE DEPARTURE
CHARGE GBP 120.00 FOR CANCEL/NO-SHOW/REFUND.
WAIVED FOR SCHEDULE CHANGE.
NOTE -
--
PENALTY DOES NOT APPLY TO INFANT WITHOUT A SEAT
--
GENERAL DOES NOT APPLY // FOLLOW CAT19 FOR
CHILD AND 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.
--
FULL REFUND PERMITTED BEFORE DEPARTURE IN CASE
) OF REFUSAL OF TRAVEL DOCUMENTS.
EMBASSY STATEMENT REQUIRED.
--
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
--
THE OPTIONAL PAYMENT CHARGE WILL NOT BE REFUNDED
--
TAG-5 - WHOLLY UNUSED CHANGE TO 1ST TICKETED
FLIGHT COUPON
- APPLIES WITHIN TICKET VALIDITY
CERTAIN DOMESTIC REISSUE PROVISIONS MAY BE
OVERRIDDEN BY THOSE OF UA INTERNATIONAL FARES
CHARGE CHANGE FEE OF 1ST TICKETED FLIGHT COUPON
REPRICE USING CURRENT QUALIFYING FARES
1. AC/LH/LX/OS/SN/UA FARES ARE USED
2. ADV RES IS MEASURED FROM REISSUE DATE TO
DEPARTURE OF PRICING UNIT
3. TKT REISSUE RESTRICTED TO UA OR ANY CARRIER
--WHEN CHANGE RESULTS IN LOWER FARE REFUND
RESIDUAL THEN ADD-COLLECT / REFUND VIA ORIGINAL
FORM OF PAYMENT
ENDORSEMENT BOX - HIGHER NON-REF AMT AND
NEW ENDORSEMENTS
--
--
C. LOWER FARE INTRODUCED OR AVAILABLE IN MARKET
--
WHEN A LOWER FARE IS INTRODUCED INTO THE MARKET
OR A CURRENT FARE IS REDUCED / THE TICKETED
PASSENGER MAY QUALIFY. ALL PROVISIONS OF THE
LOWER FARE MUST BE MET BEFORE DEPARTURE.
NO CHANGE TO ORIGIN/DESTINATION/DATES/FLIGHTS.
ONLY BOOKING CODE CHANGE IS PERMITTED.
--
A SERVICE FEE EQUAL TO 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
CHARGE CHANGE FEE OR HIGHEST FEE ALL
-- ALL CHANGED FARE COMPONENTS --
REPRICE USING CURRENT QUALIFYING FARES
PROVIDED ALL OF THE FOLLOWING PROVISIONS ARE MET
1. NO CHANGE TO FARE BREAKS
2. CHANGE IS ON/BEFORE ORIGINAL SCHEDULED FLIGHT
3. UA FARES ARE USED
4. ADV RES IS MEASURED FROM REISSUE DATE TO
) DEPARTURE OF PRICING UNIT
--WHEN CHANGE RESULTS IN LOWER FARE REFUND
RESIDUAL VALUE THEN ADD-COLLECT
REFUND VIA ORIGINAL FORM OF PAYMENT
ENDORSEMENT BOX - NEW ENDORSEMENTS
--
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 GBP 120.00 FOR CANCEL/NO-SHOW/REFUND.
WAIVED FOR SCHEDULE CHANGE.
NOTE -
--
PENALTY DOES NOT APPLY TO INFANT WITHOUT A SEAT
--
GENERAL DOES NOT APPLY // FOLLOW CAT 19
FOR CHILD / INFANT WITH A SEAT.
--
THE OPTIONAL PAYMENT CHARGE WILL NOT BE REFUNDED
--
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 GBP 120.00 FOR REISSUE/REVALIDATION.
WAIVED FOR SCHEDULE CHANGE.
NOTE -
--
PENALTY DOES NOT APPLY TO INFANT WITHOUT A SEAT
--
GENERAL RULE DOES NOT APPLY / FOLLOW CAT19
FOR CHILD / INFANT WITH A SEAT
--
IN THE EVENT OF CHANGE TO TICKETED FLIGHTS
- APPLIED WITHIN TKT VALIDITY --
CERTAIN DOMESTIC REISSUE PROVISIONS
MAY BE OVERRIDDEN BY THOSE OF UA
INTERNATIONAL FARES.
--
CHARGE CHANGE FEE OR HIGHEST FEE OF ALL CHANGED
FARE COMPONENTS-NO FEE FOR INFANT WITHOUT A SEAT
--
TAG 1 - KEEP THE FARE --
--
CHARGE CHANGE FEE OR HIGHEST FEE OF ALL CHANGED
FARE COMPONENTS - NO FEE FOR INFANT WITHOUT A SEAT
) --- REPRICE USING CURRENTLY TKTD FARE ---
PROVIDED ALL OF THE FOLLOWING PROVISIONS ARE MET
1. NO CHANGE TO 1ST FLIGHT COUPON/FARE BREAKS
2. WHEN NO INTL COUPONS REMAIN - ALL NEW TRAVEL
MUST BE DOMESTIC
3. CHANGE IS BEFORE ORIGINAL SCHEDULED FLIGHT
4. AC/SN/LH/LX/OS/UA FARES ARE USED
5. ALL RULE AND BOOKING CODE PROVISIONS ARE MET
EXCEPT ADV RES-TKTG
6. ADV RES IS MEASURED FROM ORIGINAL TKT DATE TO
DEPARTURE OF PRICING UNIT
7. TKT REISSUE RESTRICTED TO UA OR ANY CARRIER
--
WHEN CHANGE RESULTS IN LOWER FARE REFUND /
THEN ADD COLLECT
REFUND VIA ORIGINAL FORM OF PAYMENT ---
ENDORSEMENT BOX - HIGHER NON-REF AMT AND
NEW ENDORSEMENTS
--
OR
--
TAG 2 - HISTORICAL FARE --
CHARGE CHANGE FEE OR HIGHEST FEE OF ALL CHANGED
FARE COMPONENTS - NO FEE FOR INFANT WITHOUT A SEAT
REPRICE USING FARES IN EFFECT WHEN TKT WAS ISSUED
PROVIDED ALL OF 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. AC/SN/LH/LX/OS/UA B-/M-/U-/H-/Q-/V-/W-/S-/T-
FARE FAMILY IS USED
4. ALL RULE AND 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
--
OR
--
REPRICE USING FARES IN EFFECT WHEN TKT WAS ISSUED
PROVIDED ALL OF 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. AC/SN/LH/LX/OS/UA FARES ARE USED
4. NEW TKT HAS EQUAL OR HIGHER VALUE THAN
PREVIOUS TKT
5. ALL RULE AND BOOKING CODE PROVISIONS ARE MET
6. ADV RES IS MEASURED FROM ORIGINAL TKT DATE TO
DEPARTURE OF PRICING UNIT
7. TKT REISSUE RESTRICTED TO UA OR ANY CARRIER
--
WHEN CHANGE RESULTS IN LOWER FARE REFUND
RESIDUAL // THEN ADD-COLLECT
REFUND VIA ORIGINAL FORM OF PAYMENT ----
ENDORSEMENT BOX - HIGHER NON-REF AMT AND
) NEW ENDORSEMENTS .
--
B. EMERGENCY PROVISION
--
TICKET MAY BE USED TOWARD THE PURCHASE
OF ANOTHER TICKET IF DUE TO AN EMERGENCY OF
PASSENGER / IMMEDIATE FAMILY MEMBER OR
TRAVELING COMPANION.
DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED CONTACT CARRIER.
Minimum Stay FARE RULES TEXT
TRAVEL FROM INBOUND TRANSATLANTIC SECTOR MUST COMMENCE NO
EARLIER THAN THE FIRST SUN AFTER DEPARTURE OF THE OUTBOUND
TRANSATLANTIC SECTOR.
Maximum Stay FARE RULES TEXT
TRAVEL FROM LAST STOPOVER MUST COMMENCE NO LATER THAN 12
MONTHS AFTER DEPARTURE FROM FARE ORIGIN.
Advance Purchase Requirement FARE RULES TEXT
RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED FOR ALL SECTORS.
TICKETING MUST BE COMPLETED WITHIN 72 HOURS AFTER
RESERVATIONS ARE MADE.
NOTE -
WAITLIST NOT PERMITTED AT TIME OF TICKETING.
-----
DUE TO AUTOMATED TICKETING DEADLINE CONTROL
DIFFERENCE COULD EXIST BETWEEN THE FARE RULE
LAST TICKETING DATE AND THE SYSTEM GENERATED
TICKETING DEADLINE MESSAGE.
THE MORE RESTRICTIVE TICKETING DEADLINE APPLIES.
Day/Time Application FARE RULES TEXT
PERMITTED MON THROUGH THU ON EACH TRANSATLANTIC SECTOR.
Seasonality FARE RULES TEXT
PERMITTED 25JUN 11 THROUGH 21AUG 11 OR 23JUN 12 THROUGH
18AUG 12 ON THE OUTBOUND TRANSATLANTIC SECTOR.
Blackout Dates NONE
Combinability FARE RULES TEXT
APPLICABLE ADD-ON CONSTRUCTION IS ADDRESSED IN
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS - CATEGORY 23.
END-ON-END
END-ON-END COMBINATIONS PERMITTED WITH FARES WITHIN AREA
1. VALIDATE ALL FARE COMPONENTS. SIDE TRIPS PERMITTED.
PROVIDED -
COMBINATIONS ARE FOR CARRIER UA/AC
OPEN JAWS/ROUND TRIPS/CIRCLE TRIPS
FARES MAY BE COMBINED ON A HALF ROUND TRIP BASIS
-TO FORM SINGLE OR DOUBLE OPEN JAWS.
MILEAGE OF THE OPEN SEGMENT MUST BE EQUAL/LESS THAN
MILEAGE OF THE LONGEST FLOWN FARE COMPONENT.
-TO FORM ROUND TRIPS
-TO FORM CIRCLE TRIPS
A MAXIMUM OF TWO INTERNATIONAL FARE COMPONENTS
PERMITTED.
PROVIDED -
COMBINATIONS ARE WITH ANY FARE FOR CARRIER LH/UA/AC/OS/
LX/SN IN ANY RULE IN TARIFF
IPRA - USA/CANADA-AREA 2/3 AND GUAM-AREA 2 VIA
ATLANTIC
IPRAI - BETWEEN THE USA/CANADA-AREA 2/3 VIA ATLANTIC
IPRSAA2 - BETWEEN THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE-AREA 2 VIA
ATLANTIC
IPRSAA3 - BETWEEN THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE-AREA 3 VIA
ATLANTIC.
Eligibility NO RESTRICTIONS
Discounts Child Discounts
FARE RULES TEXT
ACCOMPANIED CHILD 2-11 - CHARGE 75 PERCENT OF THE FARE.
TICKET DESIGNATOR - CH AND PERCENT OF DISCOUNT.
NOTE -
FOR CHILDREN TURNING 12 YEARS ENROUTE ADULT FARE
HAS TO BE USED FOR THE ENTIRE JOURNEY.
OR - INFANT UNDER 2 WITH A SEAT - CHARGE 75 PERCENT OF THE
FARE.
TICKET DESIGNATOR - CH AND PERCENT OF DISCOUNT
OR - INFANT UNDER 2 WITHOUT A SEAT - CHARGE 10 PERCENT OF
THE FARE.
TICKET DESIGNATOR - IN AND PERCENT OF DISCOUNT.
NOTE -
FOR INFANTS TURNING 2 YEARS ENROUTE- DUE TO SAFETY
REGULATIONS- A BOOKED SEAT WILL BE REQUIRED FOR
THE REMAINING PORTIONS OF THE JOURNEY.WHEN A
SEPARATE SEAT IS REQUIRED ON A PORTION OF THE
JOURNEY-CHILD FARE HAS TO BE USED FOR THE ENTIRE
JOURNEY.
OR - UNACCOMPANIED CHILD 5-11. ID REQUIRED - NO DISCOUNT.
NOTE -
UNACCOMPANIED CHILD UNDER 5 YEARS OF AGE WILL NOT
BE ACCEPTED FOR CARRIAGE. SERVICE CHARGE FOR
) UNACCOMPANIED CHILD APPLIES.THE SERVICE WILL
BE OFFERED ONLY ON UA OPERATING FLIGHTS
Tour Conductor
DISCOUNT DOES NOT APPLY
Agent Discounts
DISCOUNT DOES NOT APPLY
Other Discounts
FARE RULES TEXT
NOTE -
NOT PERMITTED.
Surcharges DOES NOT APPLY
Stopovers FARE RULES TEXT
STOPOVERS NOT PERMITTED ON THE FARE COMPONENT.
Flight Applications FARE RULES TEXT
IF THE FARE COMPONENT INCLUDES TRAVEL WITHIN AREA 1
THEN THAT TRAVEL MUST NOT BE ON
ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING
ANY LH FLIGHT OPERATED BY B6.
AND
THE FARE COMPONENT MUST INCLUDE TRAVEL VIA EACH
TRANSATLANTIC SECTOR ON
ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING
ANY UA FLIGHT OPERATED BY AC
ANY UA FLIGHT OPERATED BY LH
ANY UA FLIGHT OPERATED BY LX
ANY UA FLIGHT OPERATED BY OS
ANY UA FLIGHT OPERATED BY SN
ANY UA FLIGHT OPERATED BY UA.
Now please tell me whether one can fly the outbound portion and change the return? and if so, how much? I certainly can't figure it out. And this is supposed to be a "flexible" fare. Whaaaat?