Originally Posted by
ernestnywang
For CX Economy fares ex-USA, change fee depends on fare family, not booking class. As long as the ticket is in ECONFLEX (the 3rd and 4th code of fare basis is "41"), there is no change fee. If the corporate agency needs to book the lowest class but can issue the more expensive ECONFLEX fare, the ticket can then be upgraded to Premium Economy by just paying the change fee (if the agency does not charge another fee). Otherwise, I am not sure if the USDOT rule can be cited for free changes within 24 hours after booking, or if the agency will need to refund and issue a new ticket.
Thanks. I don't think they can issue a more expensive fare. The actual rules of the game seem a bit murky - I suspect a combination of there not actually be real rules and HR and the agency being a bit hopeless - but the parameters seem to you can pick any airline and any flight (within reason) but you must issue lowest economy and then you can eat eat any change fee and fare difference and change it to whatever you want after it gets issued.
He has spent hours on the phone and email with HR and the agency and think will just eat the fees to avoid any further discussion...