Originally Posted by
davewang202
I took yet another look, and I think I understand now. $7 does buy "refundable ticket" as stated.
The $1395 fare buys the "mixed fare basis" ticket: WLX0ZUMG and WLX0ZUM3. $1402 fare trues up the fare basis to WLX0ZUMG for both segments. WLX0ZUMG is refundable with a $300 hit, whereas WLX0ZUM3 is non-refundable, but United will charge you a change fee ($250 in new money) and apply the rest in credit toward a future flight.
WLX0ZUM3 is actually preferable to me given that I'm flying every other week, but I can understand why someone might favor the cash refund less $300 alternative instead.
Thanks for the explanations.
This is the correct explanation. I've used these fares to get to HKG several times, and generally opted for the more flexible one only because the price is almost the same and, generally, more flexibility is better than less.
Regardless, $250 change fee applies to both if you want travel credit, and a $300 cancellation fee applies to the more flexible one if you want a refund to your original form of payment.