OP is new and 98% of the customers don't come here either. So they would not know about tainting and how we discuss it frequently. On the other hand, the rules at the other airlines are worse. I've thrown away a number of other airlines' $50-$200 tickets because of their change fees. I've lost a number of small Southwest vouchers because I wasn't willing to taint the CC funds. Losing money this way is part of doing business although I've never tainted an entire big ticket and have the whole thing vaporize.