Originally Posted by
anabolism
We're conflating separate issues. First issue: does the fact that a ticket is reissued mean the $125 fee is due? Second issue: Does a change from X to O (or O to X) fall within the meaning of "ticketed points change" and hence trigger the $125 fee? On the first issue, my recollection of the discussion is that if a reissue is being done for a simple change, let's say the airline code is changed on the exact same flight already ticketed, then the $125 fee is not supposed to be triggered. Some agents and perhaps some airlines interpret the rules differently and charge $125 but others do not.
Originally Posted by
anabolism
This assumes that a revalidation is possible and reasonable. Some airlines (such as AA) never revalidate (possibly because they use Sabre which I've heard does not support revalidation). Some travel agents tell me that they are prohibited from revalidating an RTW fare, even after travel has started. Even when revalidation is possible, it may not be wise on an RTW because of the mix of airline systems. I'm told that if an Amadeus airline revalidates, the Sabre airlines may not see it and hence would see the ticket as not matching the reservation and could cancel space.
First issue -
The fare rule says 125USD is due if the ticket is ever re-issued. It does not give an exception for a re-issue that does not involve a re-routing. It only says that revalidation is permitted (without charge). However, in practice, we know that airlines frequently waive the 125USD fee when the re-issue does not involve a re-routing, because it should have been a revalidation instead of a re-issue, but revalidation does not always work due to system incompatabilities. Travel agents are however not able to waive it unless the plating carrier specifically tells them that a waiver can be given.
Code:
16.PENALTIES
CHANGES
BEFORE DEPARTURE
CHARGE USD 125.00 FOR REISSUE.
WAIVED FOR ILLNESS OR DEATH OF PASSENGER OR
FAMILY MEMBER.
NOTE - TEXT BELOW NOT VALIDATED FOR AUTOPRICING.
LOCAL SERVICE FEES MAY APPLY ON REROUTING/REISSUE
-------------------------------------------------
REROUTING PRIOR TO DEPARTURE
CHANGES TO TICKETED POINTS ARE PERMITTED AT A
CHARGE OF USD 125.00 PER TRANSACTION.
IF THE FARE LEVEL HAS INCREASED SINCE TICKET
ISSUANCE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE OLD AND NEW
FARE WILL ALSO BE CHARGED. IF THE FARE LEVEL HAS
DECREASED SINCE TICKET ISSUANCE NO REFUND WILL
APPLY.
BEFORE DEPARTURE
CHANGES PERMITTED FOR REVALIDATION.
NOTE - TEXT BELOW NOT VALIDATED FOR AUTOPRICING.
LOCAL SERVICE FEES MAY APPLY ON REBOOKING
-------------------------------------------------
REBOOKING PRIOR TO DEPARTURE
CHANGES ARE PERMITTED PROVIDED TICKETED POINTS
REMAIN THE SAME. IF THE DATE IF THE FIRST FLIGHT
COUPON IS BEING CHANGED AND THE FARE HAS
INCREASED SINCE TICKET ISSUANCE THE DIFFERENCE
BETWEEN THE OLD AND NEW FARE BE CHARGED.
IF THE FARE LEVEL HAS DECREASED SINCE TICKET
ISSUANCE NO REFUND WILL APPLY.
AFTER DEPARTURE
CHARGE USD 125.00 FOR NO-SHOW/REISSUE.
WAIVED FOR ILLNESS OR DEATH OF PASSENGER OR
FAMILY MEMBER.
NOTE - TEXT BELOW NOT VALIDATED FOR AUTOPRICING.
LOCAL SERVICE FEES MAY APPLY ON REROUTING/REISSUE
-------------------------------------------------
AFTER DEPARTURE
A. CHANGES TO TICKETED POINTS PERMITTED AT A
CHARGE OF USD125.00 PER TRANSACTION.
B. NO SHOW REQUIRES REBOOKING AT A CHARGE OF USD
125.00.
C. IF THE REROUTING RESULTS IN A CHANGE TO THE
TOTAL TICKETED MILES THE TICKET SHALL BE
RECALCULATED.
TICKET MAY BE REISSUED TO ANY APPLICABLE EXPLORER
FARE VALIDATING ALL RULES OF THE NEW FARE EXCEPT
FOR RESTRICTIONS ON RETROACTIVE USE.
REROUTING FEE APPLIES WHEN THE RESULTING FARE IS
LESS THAN OR EQUAL TO THE ORIGINAL FARE. NO
REFUND APPLIES. SEE UPGRADING PROVISIONS WHEN
RECALCULATION RESULTS IN A NEW FARE BASIS AT A
HIGHER VALUE.
AFTER DEPARTURE
CHANGES PERMITTED FOR REVALIDATION.
NOTE - TEXT BELOW NOT VALIDATED FOR AUTOPRICING.
LOCAL SERVICE FEES MAY APPLY ON REBOOKING
-------------------------------------------------
AFTER DEPARTURE
CHANGES ARE PERMITTED PROVIDED TICKETED POINTS
REMAIN THE SAME.
Second issue -
I agree that the term "CHANGES TO TICKETED POINTS" is vague and could have been better worded, but one must look at this entire section (context), not just a specific sentence. Revalidation is only possible when everything in the routing (including O/X) remains the same. If O/X needs to be changed, a revalidation cannot be done, and a re-issue is required, so there is no basis to waive the 125USD fee. Some agents may have (mistakenly) waived it, but this would not fall in line with the spirit of the rule. In fact, the first time "CHANGES TO TICKETED POINTS" appears, it is directly below "REROUTING PRIOR TO DEPARTURE." Again I agree that this is not very well structured, but I think it is clear that in this context "CHANGES TO TICKETED POINTS" means "REROUTING" (including any O/X change), or else there should be a second sentence that covers "REROUTING" without "CHANGES TO TICKETED POINTS."
System issue -
I believe in this day and age a revalidation across Sabre and Amadeus is very likely to be successful. At least, the chance that something would go wrong is much smaller than, say, 10 years ago (and when CX and JL were still using their in-house CRS). At least I have never seen a Sabre revalidation that didn't get carry over the Amadeus in the past few years, although I am not sure about vice versa. However, occasioanlly it is still possible that something might go wrong, and the best way to make sure nothing goes wrong is to always reissue.