Originally Posted by
Stels13
You are right. In some senses. But take for example US carriers. I heard, read, discovered you can change your non-changeable/non-refundable for 150 -200 USD. It is common in USA. Another way is to use the value of ticket for future trip by the same air company and you should use it during one year. There are a hundreds cases like this. But they all about Western companies. It is very easy to find information about this. ..
So my question makes sense.
Rules are rules.
If its a nonrefundable ticket, then the value of that ticket can be used towards another ticket in the future, less change fees and additional collection of fare differences ONLY if the original ticket can be changed. If the rules stipulate that the dates CANNOT be changed, then your entire ticket is basically lost and you have to buy a new one.
I wouldn't say that there are 'hundreds' of cases like this when airlines allow changes when there can be no changes.
Basically each case is different and must be treated individually on circumstances. It might depend on the passenger - if he/she is a frequent flyer member of the airline in question, and if he/she is an elite member then that might hold some clout in the decision making.
But some airlines will stick to their guns no matter what.. so again, each case needs to be assessed one by one.