Originally Posted by
afuturefrequentflyer
Thanks for the replies guys.
I've found an example that shows the issue I'm talking about. Flying BKK-LHR, then FRA-BKK on Gulf Air departing Feb 9, returning Feb 19 is about $3000.
Now if I fly out on the same date but return on 15 June instead, the fare jumps to $6000.
I can't find the $3k fare you're talking about, I only see the $6k prices.
Basically, fares are published for a certain route that may apply to certain date ranges and require booking into certain fare classes as well as other conditions.
It may be that the cheaper fare is not valid until 15 June, or it may be that there is no fare availability for 15 June. Or it may be that you cannot have a stopover of more than X days, which by moving the return date further invalidates the cheaper fare, or there may be blackout dates for when you can't travel.
Originally Posted by
afuturefrequentflyer
Say the fare conditions state that date changes are allowed at a $150 fee, but tickets are nonrefundable.
So if I book the fare, and then call them to change the date of the FRA-BKK sector, I assume the realistic answer be that the fare difference will be substantial?
If you call to change then it will be repriced plus the change fee, so if your current fare is $3k and fares for the dates you wish to travel on are $6k then you will pay $150 + $3k. Again, it may not be possible depending on the fare rules.
Originally Posted by
afuturefrequentflyer
Would it make any difference if I flew out on the BKK-LHR leg and then called them up to change?
Also, how is the fare difference calculated? Is it the overall fare or by sector?
Possibly, again it depends on the fare rules whether it will be repriced or not and if it is allowed to be changed to the date range you want. Sometimes it will not be repriced after the first segment is flown, but it still requires the fare bucket availability as applicable to that fare.
The fare difference is calculated by repricing the whole itinerary as if it was a new booking. So as I said unless there is no change fee or the fare rules state it won't be repriced, booking one set of dates and changing will never be cheaper than booking the dates you want.
Here are some example fare rules for GF for BKK-FRA return in business, you can see there are minimum and maximum stay restrictions, blackout dates, sales restrictions and other conditions:
Results from ExpertFlyer.com
Code:
Fare Routing Search:
Departing BKK on 11/12/14 for FRA
Fare basis code IRTACTH6
Flying GF
Routing via Eastern Hemisphere
Rule Category Rule Text
RULE APPLICATION AND OTHER CONDITIONS NOTE - THE FOLLOWING TEXT IS INFORMATIONAL AND NOT
VALIDATED FOR AUTOPRICING.
GULF AIR TACTICAL FARES.
APPLICATION
AREA
THESE FARES APPLY
FROM THAILAND.
CLASS OF SERVICE
THESE FARES APPLY FOR BUSINESS/ECONOMY CLASS
SERVICE.
TYPES OF TRANSPORTATION
FARES GOVERNED BY THIS RULE CAN BE USED TO CREATE
ONE-WAY/ROUND-TRIP/OPEN-JAW/SINGLE OPEN-JAW/
DOUBLE OPEN-JAW JOURNEYS.
CAPACITY LIMITATIONS
THE CARRIER SHALL LIMIT THE NUMBER OF PASSENGERS
CARRIED ON ANY ONE FLIGHT AT FARES GOVERNED BY
THIS RULE AND SUCH FARES WILL NOT NECESSARILY BE
AVAILABLE ON ALL FLIGHTS. THE NUMBER OF SEATS,
WHICH THE CARRIER SHALL MAKE AVAILABLE ON A GIVEN
FLIGHT, WILL BE DETERMINED BY THE CARRIERS BEST
JUDGEMENT.
OTHER CONDITIONS
GF RESERVES THE RIGHT TO CANCEL ANY PNR WHERE
ITINERARY DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE RESERVATION
BOOKING CODE / RBD/
---
IF A TICKET IS USED OUT OF SEQUENCE GF RESERVES
THE RIGHT TO CANCEL ANY PNR OR INVALIDATE THE
REMAINING FLIGHT COUPONS.
IF A PASSENGER FAILS TO TRAVEL ON A SECTOR BOOKED
GF RESERVES THE RIGHT TO CANCEL THE REMAINING GF
SECTOR.
---
ALL FARES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR WITHDRAWAL
WITHOUT NOTICE.
FARES ARE ONLY GUARANTEED IF AUTOPRICED AND
TICKETED IN GDS ON THE SAME DAY.
---
ELIGIBILITY NO ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS APPLY.
DAY/TIME NO DAY/TIME TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS APPLY.
SEASONALITY NO SEASONAL TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS APPLY.
FLIGHT APPLICATION THE FARE COMPONENT MUST NOT BE ON
ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING
GF FLIGHTS 4000 THROUGH 6999.
AND
THE FARE COMPONENT MUST BE ON
ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING
ANY GF FLIGHT
ANY 9B FLIGHT
ANY LH FLIGHT OPERATED BY LH
ANY TG FLIGHT OPERATED BY TG.
NOTE - TEXT BELOW NOT VALIDATED FOR AUTOPRICING.
FOR GULF RBD B/L/M/H/Y RT FARES BOOK V CLASS ON
CARRIER LH BETWEEN GERMANY/EUROPE TO FRA.
--------------------------------------------------
FOR GULF RBD K/X/Q/V/E/N/O/S/W RT FARES BOOK S
CLASS ON CARRIER LH BETWEEN GERMANY/ EUROPE TO
FRA.
------------------------------------------------
FOR GULF ALL ECONOMY CLASS OW FARES BOOK V CLASS
ON CARRIER LH BETWEEN GERMANY/ EUROPE TO FRA.
--------------------------------------------------
FOR ECONOMY CLASS -
BOOK S CLASS FOR CARRIER TG.
ADVANCE RESERVATIONS/TICKETING CONFIRMED RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED FOR ALL SECTORS.
NOTE - TEXT BELOW NOT VALIDATED FOR AUTOPRICING.
GF RESERVES THE RIGHT TO CANCEL ANY PNR WHERE
ITINERARIES DO NOT COMPLY WITH RESERVATION
BOOKING CODE /RBD/.
---
IF A TICKET IS USED OUT OF SEQUENCE GF RESERVES
THE RIGHT TO CANCEL ANY PNR OR INVALIDATE THE
REMAINING FLIGHT COUPONS.
---
IF A PASSENGER FAILS TO TRAVEL ON A SECTOR BOOKED
GF RESERVES THE RIGHT TO CANCEL REMAINING GF
SECTORS.
--------------------------------------------------
GALILEO - GC ASTERISK/DISPLAY GF/21
AMADEUS - GGAIRGF/413
ABACUS - Y/VEN/GFA/P26
WORLDSPAN - G/AIR/GF0/P3/L2
SABRE - REFER TO DRS PGES TICKETING TIME
MINIMUM STAY TRAVEL FROM LAST STOPOVER MUST COMMENCE NO EARLIER
THAN 2 DAYS AFTER DEPARTURE FROM FARE ORIGIN.
MAXIMUM STAY TRAVEL FROM LAST STOPOVER MUST COMMENCE NO LATER THAN
1 MONTH AFTER DEPARTURE FROM FARE ORIGIN.
STOPOVERS NO STOPOVERS PERMITTED ON THE PRICING UNIT.
TRANSFERS UNLIMITED TRANSFERS PERMITTED ON THE PRICING UNIT.
FARE BREAK SURFACE SECTORS PERMITTED AND EMBEDDED
SURFACE SECTORS NOT PERMITTED ON THE FARE COMPONENT.
COMBINATIONS CIRCLE TRIPS NOT PERMITTED.
OPEN JAWS/ROUND TRIPS
FARES MAY BE COMBINED ON A HALF ROUND TRIP BASIS
-TO FORM SINGLE OR DOUBLE OPEN JAWS
CHARGE THE HIGHEST ROUND-TRIP FARE ON THE OPEN JAW.
-TO FORM ROUND TRIPS.
PROVIDED -
COMBINATIONS ARE WITH ANY I- TYPE FARES FOR
CARRIER GF IN THIS RULE AND TARIFF.
END-ON-END
END-ON-END COMBINATIONS NOT PERMITTED. VALIDATE ALL
FARE COMPONENTS. SIDE TRIPS PERMITTED WITH NO
RESTRICTIONS.
PROVIDED -
COMBINATIONS ARE FOR CARRIER GF.
OTHERWISE
END-ON-END COMBINATIONS PERMITTED. VALIDATE ALL FARE
COMBINATIONS.
BLACKOUT DATES OUTBOUND -
TRAVEL IS NOT PERMITTED 25AUG14 THROUGH 07SEP14.
SURCHARGES NO SURCHARGE REQUIREMENTS APPLY.
ACCOMPANIED TRAVEL ACCOMPANIED TRAVEL NOT REQUIRED.
TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS VALID FOR TRAVEL COMMENCING ON/BEFORE 30DEC14.
SALES RESTRICTIONS FOOTNOTE RULE
TICKETS MUST BE ISSUED ON/BEFORE 15NOV14.
GENERAL RULE - APPLY UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED
TICKETS MUST BE ISSUED ON THE STOCK OF GF OR HR AND
MAY NOT BE SOLD IN BAHRAIN.
NOTE - TEXT BELOW NOT VALIDATED FOR AUTOPRICING.
ABOVE SALES RESTRICTION IS APPLICABLE ONLY WHEN
CXR HR IS ISSUING TICKETS ON BEHALF OF CXR GF
OR - TICKETS MUST BE ISSUED ON THE STOCK OF GF.
PENALTIES CHANGES
BEFORE DEPARTURE
CHARGE USD 30.00 FOR REISSUE/REVALIDATION.
NOTE - TEXT BELOW NOT VALIDATED FOR AUTOPRICING.
THE ABOVE CHARGE APPLIES TO ADULTS AND CHILDREN.
THE CHARGE DOES NOT APPLY TO INFANTS NOT OCCUPYING
A SEAT.
--------------------------------------------------
CHANGE FEES MUST BE CODED AS OA IN THE TAX FIELD.
AFTER DEPARTURE
CHARGE USD 30.00 FOR NO-SHOW.
NOTE - TEXT BELOW NOT VALIDATED FOR AUTOPRICING.
THE ABOVE CHARGE APPLIES TO ADULT AND CHILDREN
THIS CHARGE DOES NOT APPLY TO INFANTS NOT
OCCUPYING A SEAT
--------------------------------------------------
PASSENGER WILL BE TREATED AS NO SHOW IF THE
BOOKING IS NOT CANCELLED AT LEAST 24 HOURS BEFORE
THE DEPARTURE OF THE FLIGHT.
--------------------------------------------------
IN CASE OF NO-SHOW - CHARGE REBOOK FEE
PLUS NOSHOW CHARGE.
--------------------------------------------------
CHANGE FEES MUST BE CODED AS OB IN THE TAX FIELD.
CANCELLATIONS
BEFORE DEPARTURE
CHARGE USD 50.00 FOR CANCEL/REFUND.
NOTE - TEXT BELOW NOT VALIDATED FOR AUTOPRICING.
THE ABOVE CHARGE APPLIES TO ADULTS AND
CHILDREN.THE CHARGE DOES NOT APPLY TO INFANTS NOT
OCCUPYING A SEAT.
AFTER DEPARTURE
TICKET IS NON-REFUNDABLE IN CASE OF NO-SHOW.
NOTE - TEXT BELOW NOT VALIDATED FOR AUTOPRICING.
YQ OR YR FUEL AND SECURITY SURCHARGE WILL NOT BE
REFUNDED.FOR NON REFUNDABLE TICKETS THE YQ/YR
SURCHARGE WILL NOT BE REFUNDED.
--------------------------------------------------
PARTIALLY UTILIZED - NOT REFUNDABLE
HIP/MILEAGE EXCEPTIONS THE HIGHER INTERMEDIATE POINT RULE DOES NOT APPLY FOR
STOPOVERS.
AND - THE HIGHER INTERMEDIATE POINT RULE DOES NOT APPLY
FOR CONNECTIONS.
NOTE -
THESE FARES SHOULD NOT BE COMPARED CHECKED WITH
HIP DMC CTM AND COP
TICKET ENDORSEMENTS THE ORIGINAL AND THE REISSUED TICKET MUST BE ANNOTATED
- NON END - VALID ON GF ONLY - AND - RES CHG/NO SHOW
FEE ALPPLY - AND - REFUND BEFORE DEP. W/FEES - AND -
NO-SHOW NOT REFUNDABLE - IN THE ENDORSEMENT BOX.
CHILDREN DISCOUNTS CNN/ACCOMPANIED CHILD PSGR 2-11 - CHARGE 75 PERCENT OF
THE FARE.
TICKETING CODE - BASE FARE CODE PLUS CH.
MUST BE ACCOMPANIED ON ALL FLIGHTS IN THE SAME
COMPARTMENT BY ADULT PSGR.
OR - 1ST INF/INFANT WITHOUT A SEAT PSGR UNDER 2 -
CHARGE 10 PERCENT OF THE FARE.
TICKETING CODE - BASE FARE CODE PLUS IN.
MUST BE ACCOMPANIED ON ALL FLIGHTS IN THE SAME
COMPARTMENT BY ADULT PSGR.
OR - 2ND INS/INFANT WITH A SEAT PSGR UNDER 2 - CHARGE
75 PERCENT OF THE FARE.
TICKETING CODE - BASE FARE CODE PLUS CH.
MUST BE ACCOMPANIED ON ALL FLIGHTS IN THE SAME
COMPARTMENT BY ADULT PSGR.
OR - UNN/UNACCOMPANIED CHILD PSGR 5-11 - CHARGE 100
PERCENT OF THE FARE.
TOUR CONDUCTOR DISCOUNTS NO DISCOUNTS FOR TOUR CONDUCTORS.
AGENT DISCOUNTS NO DISCOUNTS FOR SALE AGENTS.
ALL OTHER DISCOUNTS NO DISCOUNTS FOR OTHERS.
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS NOTE - TEXT BELOW NOT VALIDATED FOR AUTOPRICING.
ALL FARES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR WITHDRAWAL
WITHOUT NOTICE.
FARES ARE ONLY GUARANTEED IF AUTOPRICED AND
TICKETED IN GDS ON THE SAME DAY.
FARE BY RULE NOT APPLICABLE.
GROUPS NO GROUP PROVISIONS APPLY.
TOURS NO TOUR PROVISIONS APPLY.
VISIT ANOTHER COUNTRY NO VISIT ANOTHER COUNTRY PROVISIONS APPLY.
DEPOSITS NO DEPOSIT PROVISIONS APPLY.
VOLUNTARY CHANGES IN THE EVENT OF CHANGES TO TICKETED FLIGHTS
FOR INFANT WITHOUT A SEAT PSGR
BEFORE DEPARTURE OF JOURNEY AND WITHIN TICKET VALIDITY
CERTAIN DOMESTIC REISSUE PROVISIONS MAY BE OVERRIDDEN
BY THOSE OF GF INTERNATIONAL FARES
NO CHARGE CHARGE HIGHEST FEE OF ALL FARE COMPONENTS
AND
REPRICE USING FARES IN EFFECT WHEN TKT WAS ISSUED
PROVIDED ALL OF THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS ARE MET-
1. NO CHANGE TO 1ST FARE COMPONENT
2. SAME FARE ON 1ST FARE COMPONENT IS USED
3. WHEN NO INTL COUPONS REMAIN - ALL NEW TRAVEL
MUST BE DOMESTIC
4. GF FARES ARE USED
5. ALL RULE AND BOOKING CODE PROVISIONS ARE MET
6. ADV RES IS MEASURED FROM ORIGINAL TKT DATE TO
DEPARTURE OF PRICING UNIT
OR -
REPRICE USING FARES IN EFFECT TODAY
PROVIDED ALL OF THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS ARE MET-
1. WHEN NO INTL COUPONS REMAIN - ALL NEW TRAVEL
MUST BE DOMESTIC
2. GF FARES ARE USED
3. ADV RES IS MEASURED FROM REISSUE DATE TO
DEPARTURE OF PRICING UNIT
WHEN CHANGE RESULTS IN LOWER FARE IGNORE RESIDUAL THEN
ADD-COLLECT
ENDORSEMENT BOX - HIGHER NON-REF AMOUNT.
OR -
FOR INFANT WITHOUT A SEAT PSGR
AFTER DEPARTURE OF JOURNEY AND WITHIN TICKET VALIDITY
CERTAIN DOMESTIC REISSUE PROVISIONS MAY BE OVERRIDDEN
BY THOSE OF GF INTERNATIONAL FARES
NO CHARGE CHARGE HIGHEST FEE OF ALL FARE COMPONENTS AND
REPRICE USING FARES IN EFFECT WHEN TKT WAS ISSUED
PROVIDED ALL OF THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS ARE MET-
1. WHEN NO INTL COUPONS REMAIN - ALL NEW TRAVEL
MUST BE DOMESTIC
2. FULLY FLOWN FARE NOT REPRICED TO FURTHER POINT
3. GF FARES ARE USED
4. ALL RULE AND BOOKING CODE PROVISIONS ARE MET
5. ADV RES IS MEASURED FROM ORIGINAL TKT DATE TO
DEPARTURE OF PRICING UNIT
WHEN CHANGE RESULTS IN LOWER FARE IGNORE RESIDUAL THEN
ADD-COLLECT
ENDORSEMENT BOX - HIGHER NON-REF AMOUNT.
IN THE EVENT OF CHANGES TO TICKETED FLIGHTS
BEFORE DEPARTURE OF JOURNEY AND WITHIN TICKET VALIDITY
CERTAIN DOMESTIC REISSUE PROVISIONS MAY BE OVERRIDDEN
BY THOSE OF GF INTERNATIONAL FARES
CHARGE USD 30.00 OR HIGHEST FEE OF ALL FARE COMPONENTS
AND
REPRICE USING FARES IN EFFECT WHEN TKT WAS ISSUED
PROVIDED ALL OF THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS ARE MET-
1. NO CHANGE TO 1ST FARE COMPONENT
2. SAME FARE ON 1ST FARE COMPONENT IS USED
3. WHEN NO INTL COUPONS REMAIN - ALL NEW TRAVEL
MUST BE DOMESTIC
4. CHANGE IS NO LATER THAN 24 HOURS BEFORE ORIGINAL
SCHEDULED FLIGHT
5. GF FARES ARE USED
6. ALL RULE AND BOOKING CODE PROVISIONS ARE MET
7. ADV RES IS MEASURED FROM ORIGINAL TKT DATE TO
DEPARTURE OF PRICING UNIT
OR -
REPRICE USING FARES IN EFFECT TODAY
PROVIDED ALL OF THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS ARE MET-
1. WHEN NO INTL COUPONS REMAIN - ALL NEW TRAVEL
MUST BE DOMESTIC
2. CHANGE IS NO LATER THAN 24 HOURS BEFORE ORIGINAL
SCHEDULED FLIGHT
3. GF FARES ARE USED
4. ADV RES IS MEASURED FROM REISSUE DATE TO
DEPARTURE OF PRICING UNIT
WHEN CHANGE RESULTS IN LOWER FARE IGNORE RESIDUAL THEN
ADD-COLLECT
ENDORSEMENT BOX - HIGHER NON-REF AMOUNT.
OR -
BEFORE DEPARTURE OF JOURNEY AND WITHIN TICKET VALIDITY
CERTAIN DOMESTIC REISSUE PROVISIONS MAY BE OVERRIDDEN
BY THOSE OF GF INTERNATIONAL FARES
CHARGE USD 60.00 OR HIGHEST FEE OF ALL FARE COMPONENTS
AND
REPRICE USING FARES IN EFFECT WHEN TKT WAS ISSUED
PROVIDED ALL OF THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS ARE MET-
1. NO CHANGE TO 1ST FARE COMPONENT
2. SAME FARE ON 1ST FARE COMPONENT IS USED
3. WHEN NO INTL COUPONS REMAIN - ALL NEW TRAVEL
MUST BE DOMESTIC
4. GF FARES ARE USED
5. ALL RULE AND BOOKING CODE PROVISIONS ARE MET
6. ADV RES IS MEASURED FROM ORIGINAL TKT DATE TO
DEPARTURE OF PRICING UNIT
OR -
REPRICE USING FARES IN EFFECT TODAY
PROVIDED ALL OF THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS ARE MET-
1. WHEN NO INTL COUPONS REMAIN - ALL NEW TRAVEL
MUST BE DOMESTIC
2. GF FARES ARE USED
3. ADV RES IS MEASURED FROM REISSUE DATE TO
DEPARTURE OF PRICING UNIT
WHEN CHANGE RESULTS IN LOWER FARE IGNORE RESIDUAL THEN
ADD-COLLECT
ENDORSEMENT BOX - HIGHER NON-REF AMOUNT.
IN THE EVENT OF CHANGES TO TICKETED FLIGHTS
AFTER DEPARTURE OF JOURNEY AND WITHIN TICKET VALIDITY
CERTAIN DOMESTIC REISSUE PROVISIONS MAY BE OVERRIDDEN
BY THOSE OF GF INTERNATIONAL FARES
CHARGE USD 30.00 OR HIGHEST FEE OF ALL FARE COMPONENTS
AND
REPRICE USING FARES IN EFFECT WHEN TKT WAS ISSUED
PROVIDED ALL OF THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS ARE MET-
1. WHEN NO INTL COUPONS REMAIN - ALL NEW TRAVEL
MUST BE DOMESTIC
2. FULLY FLOWN FARE NOT REPRICED TO FURTHER POINT
3. CHANGE IS NO LATER THAN 24 HOURS BEFORE ORIGINAL
SCHEDULED FLIGHT
4. GF FARES ARE USED
5. ALL RULE AND BOOKING CODE PROVISIONS ARE MET
6. ADV RES IS MEASURED FROM ORIGINAL TKT DATE TO
DEPARTURE OF PRICING UNIT
WHEN CHANGE RESULTS IN LOWER FARE IGNORE RESIDUAL THEN
ADD-COLLECT
ENDORSEMENT BOX - HIGHER NON-REF AMOUNT.
OR -
AFTER DEPARTURE OF JOURNEY AND WITHIN TICKET VALIDITY
CERTAIN DOMESTIC REISSUE PROVISIONS MAY BE OVERRIDDEN
BY THOSE OF GF INTERNATIONAL FARES
CHARGE USD 60.00 OR HIGHEST FEE OF ALL FARE COMPONENTS
AND
REPRICE USING FARES IN EFFECT WHEN TKT WAS ISSUED
PROVIDED ALL OF THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS ARE MET-
1. WHEN NO INTL COUPONS REMAIN - ALL NEW TRAVEL
MUST BE DOMESTIC
2. FULLY FLOWN FARE NOT REPRICED TO FURTHER POINT
3. GF FARES ARE USED
4. ALL RULE AND BOOKING CODE PROVISIONS ARE MET
5. ADV RES IS MEASURED FROM ORIGINAL TKT DATE TO
DEPARTURE OF PRICING UNIT
WHEN CHANGE RESULTS IN LOWER FARE IGNORE RESIDUAL THEN
ADD-COLLECT
ENDORSEMENT BOX - HIGHER NON-REF AMOUNT.
.
VOLUNTARY REFUNDS CHECK CATEGORY 16 OR CONTACT CARRIER FOR DETAILS.
NEGOTIATED FARES NOT APPLICABLE.
INTERNATIONAL CONSTRUCTION NOT A CONSTRUCTED FARE
.