Originally Posted by
WineCountryUA
To be clear, a change within the fare rules and SDC are different things
For SDC,
UA clearly states
To be clear, even a simple SDC to an earlier flight cannot be done.
Originally Posted by
jsloan
It’s impossible to judge the agents’ response without more information. Front-line agents aren’t always conversant in the interpretation of the fare rules, although generally they’re deferring to the Rates Desk anyway. Generally, “the part that allow changes” isn’t really the issue — the question is the calculation of the fare difference.
Little of this makes sense. HND and NRT are definitely co-terminals. They have to be — the routing rules just specify TYO. And UA sells tickets all the time that involve a change of airports at Tokyo.
Again, that doesn’t track. Both TSA and TPE airports are covered by the city code TPE.
I just did a sample ITA Matrix search of EWR-NRT / HND-TSA / TPE-(SFO)-EWR, and it priced exactly as I’d expect: a EWR-TPE roundtrip with a stopover at TYO. I suspect there’s something else going on in your case.
I agree what the agents say does not make sense. The tickets originate outside the US and are subject to a change fee. I don't want to venture too far into the weeds but even the change of NRT to HND is a problem for domestic segments in Japan on these tickets. However, almost any change can be a problem.
.
My gripe is that as an international ticket the fare allows changes for a fee and possible fare recalculation. I cannot do it online and when I call, agents refer to the fare desk and come back with restrictions not found in the fare terms such as saying the ticket can only be changed to full fare, or you cannot substitute HND for NRT. I don't change every ticket but for the last two years when I do try, I run into this problem. Agents cannot explain it. They give me advice like try flying the next segment and see if you can change it then. Or try changing when you are halfway through and are starting the return, it should work then. Only it does not.
One other point, I get these unsatisfactory responses from reservations agents, as a passenger my experience is we can no longer speak to the fare desk directly.
Thanks for the various responses. This is just a rant to let off steam. Something is broken in the ticketing system.