<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Tango:
Money does not have to change hands for a contract to be in place. If I reserve a full fare ticket, I am allowed to wait until just before flight departure before I pay for it. Using the logic that money has to change hands would mean the airline would be free to cancel my reservation whenver they want to unless I have given them money.</font>
This may vary from airline to airline, but the airline is reserving a seat for you in that class of service until the day of departure, but the actual fare is only guaranteed for 24 hours, or in some situations, until midnight of the same night. Full coach fares don't change all that much, so generally there isn't going to be a difference, but next time you book one, check and see if the fare is held and not just the seat.
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Have a great day!!
~~Missy~~