FlyerTalk Forums - View Single Post - Change Fees "Gone For Good"(WW ex-USA,non-BE), credit for lower fare!, Intl&BE waiver
Old Aug 4, 2021 | 12:31 pm
  #621  
jsloan
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Originally Posted by dubsman
Can't discern difference between "Economy" and "Economy (fully refundable)".
Will buy tix LHR/ORD/LHR for family later in Aug. They are not sure they will have a necessary visa for infant by desired travel date. If I buy now for travel on, e.g. Aug 20, but need to change to a day or two later, I understand there is no change fee for either fare class, so is there any benefit to getting the "fully refundable" fare as I have no intention of seeking a refund?
I am assuming I would have to pay any additional fare in either case. (Maybe I am wrong on this point?)
Thanks.
If you have no desire to get a refund, even if the US or UK shut their border, you don't need a refundable fare. However, if you change the outbound a couple of days before departure, the fare difference may be very high. You are correct that you'd owe the fare difference in either case, though.

Note that neither a visa denial nor a government border closure is sufficient grounds to receive a refund of a non-refundable ticket.
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