Originally Posted by
paterwdb
Is this true specifically because it is a refund? Because when I've canceled a non-refundable after taking the outbound, I've been given a credit for the remaining segments (typically half the fare paid, not the fare minus the one-way published fare). If that is true, it would make sense to book it as non-refundable and take the credit.
It comes down to with a refund, (if simply refunded fare for return) they'd be losing cash and losing money on fact correct fare wasn't purchased. If getting credit, at minimum they keep the cash (for return) and still provide a flight. In best case, they keep the cash and don't have to provide anything (funds expire). In that case they get to Basically make extra just like if bought a OW to start with. Yes, you might still come out ahead, but it wasn't a total "loss" like issuing refund w/o recalculation fare would be.