Hi,
I had a stopover in SCL before, just shortened it to stay a bit longer in Peru, so I don't think that was the issue (it was never mentioned to be an issue by anyone, and I have been in touch with a lot of people...).
I spoke to several people at TAM in the meantime and I agree that some of them simply don't have a clue how that ticket and the rules works (one guy told me TAM cannot change the ticket at all and I would have to get in touch with Oneworld online booking, as this is where I booked the ticket - quite frustrating to deal with that sort of response).
Anyways, I managed to change the date another flight in the meantime at no charge, talking to someone who finally understood the rules. Also, I spoke to BA who managed to leave a comment in my booking following which I got an email from TAM confirming that charging the penalty fee the first time was a mistake and I should get in touch for a refund, and that they agreed with the understanding of the rules.
Then, two days later, the same person sends another email saying that actually the penalty fee of USD 125 for a date change is a TAM policy and is charged for every transaction/ticket chsnge. And that is was not a mistake as such, just charged on wrong grounds (misinterpreted Oneworld rules).
This really starts to be a little ridiculous, and it sounds to me a bit like an invented justification.
I mean, one basically books this sort of ticket on the basis of Oneworld rules (subject to local service fees), but that an airline can just impose such charge for every transaction somewhat defies the purpose of this ticket.
Does anyone have views on TAM's behaviour? Is that charge justified?