Originally Posted by
Bigpops
I guess I do not understand why people buy non refundable tickets and then grumble when the airline charges a change fee. If you want the flexability to make a change for free then book a changeable / refundable ticket and pay the premium. I understand things change, especially when you book months ahead, but that is a chance you take. It is your responsibility to understand the terms of the ticket and any fees or penalites that apply to it.
Whoa, there, fella. Just because the usurious terms are clearly spelled out doesn't make them right. I mean, these change fees are truly a "contract of adhesion." If you want to cross the Pond, and don't want such onerous change fees, your choices essentially are: 1) swim; or 2) buy a ticket at double (or more!) the price.
There is nothing wrong with arguing that a $200 fee to change a European ticket (plus, of course, the likely fare increase!) is wrong. It is a bad way to do business. You may disagree, but I think most folks would agree that this is a very consumer-unfriendly policy. Continental should do better for its customers, and I don't mind saying it.