Originally Posted by
dsquared37
How is cancelling a seat prior to departure (on a refundable ticket) equitable with your above examples? Let me give you a hint.... there's no relation.
Because that seat wasn't available to sell to another passenger until it was cancelled.
The extreme example shows the principle: I buy a ticket on 10/20/2014 to fly on 6/1/2015. On 5/30/2015, I cancel the ticket. During the 7 months I held the ticket, the airline couldn't sell that seat (or at least bore extra risk of overbooking), and now there is very little time (1 day) to find someone to replace me on that flight.