Originally Posted by
jimbray
I have a question, in a flight (GA, if that matters)
- assuming that Y class is 4 classes higher/more expensive than N class
- assume flight is full
- someone on N class or any class lower than Y decided to refund his ticket
- will his seat be sold by the airline at his purchase class (N) or
- will his seat be sold at Y class (most expensive) ???
Thanks
The seat will go back into inventory management system and its magic algorithm with decide. E.g. if before canceling flight looked like...
Y0 B0 H0 K0 N0 Q0
Then you cancel your N ticket, the resulting availability could be anything...
Y0 B0 H0 K0 N0 Q0 (flight was oversold, and computer decided not to release new seat)
Y1 B0 H0 K0 N0 Q0 (Computer released it to full fare only)
Y1 B1 H1 K0 N0 Q0 (Computer released it to "flexible" fares only)
Y1 B1 H1 K1 N1 Q1 (Computer released it to any fare class)
What the computer does will depend on how long it is to flight time, predicted loads, etc. Also whether you could purchase a new N fare will depend on advance purchase rules (e.g. if 7 day advance purchase required, and flight is tomorrow, then even if N1 is offered, you won't be able to buy a new ticked for it -- but may be able to move an existing N ticket from a different flight on to it).
I have personal experience of almost all of the above scenarios (though on a business class ticket where it could be sold as either full fare J or discounted).
DAK