I'm close to purchasing a PHL-SYD ticket. I'm planning on upgrading with a GPU so I'll need to purchase at least a W fare. When I search for tickets I get the option of purchasing a $3000 "flexible" V fare for about $150 more than a regular W fare. I might need to make changes or even cancel the trip so a flexible fare might be a good deal. The V fare rules are:
Code:
FARE RULES TEXT
CANCELLATIONS
BEFORE DEPARTURE
CHARGE USD 300.00.
WAIVED FOR SCHEDULE CHANGE.
NOTE -
--
CHILDREN GENERAL RULE NOT APPLICABLE
CAT 19 - INFANT W/O A SEAT // CHILD //
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.
--
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.
--
-TAG 5 - WHOLLY UNUSED TICKET / CHANGE TO
OUTBOUND 1ST TICKETED FLIGHT COUPON
--
REPRICE USING CURRENT QUALIFYING FARES
--
CHARGE FEE OR HIGHEST FEE OF ALL CHANGED FARE
COMPONENTS
--
1. ADVANCE RES IS MEASURED FROM REISSUE DATE
TO DEPARTURE OF PRICING UNIT
2. TKT REISSUE RESTRICTED TO UA OR ANY CARRIER
--
WHEN CHANGE RESULTS IN FARE DIFFERNCE--
--
2 STEP PROCESS
REFUND RESIDUAL VIA ORIGINAL FORM OF PAYMENT -
IF APPLICABLE.
RESIDUAL VALUE MAY NOT BE APPLIED TOWARD FEE.
ADD-COLLECT FEE / FARE DIFFERENCE -IF APPLICABLE.
--
C. BOOKING CODE CHANGE PERMITTED
--
WHEN A LOWER FARE IS INTRODUCED INTO THE MARKET
) OR A CURRENT FARE IS REDUCED OR BOOKING CODE
BECOMES AVAILABLE / THE TICKETED PASSENGER
MAY QUALIFY FOR ONE OF THE ABOVE OPTIONS.
ALL PROVISIONS OF THE QUALIFYING FARE MUST
BE MET BEFORE DEPARTURE.
NO CHANGE TO ORIGIN/DESTINATION/DATES/FLIGHTS.
---ONLY BOOKING CODE CHANGE IS PERMITTED---.
--
AN ADMINISTRATIVE FEE EQUAL TO THE 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--
--
RPRICE USING CURRENT QUALIFYING FARES.
CHARGE FEE OR HIGHEST FEE OF ALL CHANGED
FARE COMPONENTS.
1. NO CHANGE TO FARE BREAKS/FLIGHTS/DATES
2. UA FARES ARE USED
3. ADV RES IS MEASURE FROM REISSUE DATE T0
DEPARTURE OF PRICING UNIT
--
WHEN CHANGE RESULTS IN FARE DIFFERENCE --
--
2 STEP PROCESS
REFUND RESIDUAL VIA ORIGINAL FORM OF PAYMENT -
IF APPLICABLE.
RESIDUAL VALUE MAY NOT BE APPLIED TOWARD FEE.
ADD-COLLECT FEE / FARE DIFFERENCE - IF APPLICABLE.
So if I need to cancel the ticket I'd pay a $300 fee but then what happens?
Can I only use the residual for another ticket PHL-SYD?
Can I use the residual for a cheap domestic ticket and get the remainder credited to my credit card?
If there is any schedule change it looks like I get to cancel the ticket for free right? Is this different if I purchase a non-flexible fare?