Originally Posted by
Often1
What makes you say that? I ask that because it's not true.
There are two options out there given that air carriers can't effectively and economically finalize schedules until approx. 90 days out. Even then, there are changes necessitated by all manner of factors (not the least of which is that there are only so many physical aircraft and crew to be had and overstaffing is a good way to bankruptcy.
1. Carriers allow you to book +90 days out, but changes happen.
2. Carriers don't allow #1.
The vast majority of the time #1 works just fine. If there are changes, they can be easily fixed. But, sometimes they can't.
I totaly agree with you from a financial perspective. However, I haven't encounter this issue before...to cancel an entire flight because of a single leg and also being out of options in JFK months in advance.
When I book in advance, I'm paying, which is a commitment. A commitment between the customer which is paying and the airline which holds the cash. If either party exit the commitment penalties are only applied to the customers.