<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by LemonThrower:
Regarding the transferability of tickets--people have different views on this. If I pay $1000 for a ticket and something comes up that prevents me from using it, I think it is nearly criminal for that money to go down the drain.</font>
Well, it's likely that if you paid a grand for a ticket, it's the one that you can change at will. So you'll excuse me, I'm sure, if I don't buy that it's criminal to make me waste a grand. And even if you bought a non-refundable ticket, you knew the rules going in. In any case, the rules are simple. Tickets are not transferrable, period. Therefore, if you don't like the rules, don't fly, because the airlines probably aren't going to change that rule any time soon.
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Your comment about "abusing the system" is an intersting one. But the flip side of the coin is airlines who abuse the trust of travelers with onerous pricing and fine print.</font>
The rules are all there for you to see. If you don't like them, don't buy the ticket. It's really that simple. If the price is too high for you, don't fly. If you don't like the rules, don't fly. Nobody is forcing you to fly.
You get the final word and you can vote with your wallet. I suggest that if you don't like the rules, you do so.