Originally Posted by defiance96

I wonder why the airline industry is so uncreative to think about other business models.

For example: The change fee doesn't apply to those who buy a refundable fare. Of course, those fares are usually insanely higher.

Why couldn't airlines allow passengers to pick their fare based on their sense of risk as to how confident they are that they will/or won't need to make a change.

deepest discount fare, non changeable, non refundable (but perhaps a small refund as a courtesy for reporting plan to not use)
next highest fare, subject to 100 change fee and non refundable
next highest fare, subject to 50 change fee but non refundable
next highest fare, changeable but non refundable
highest fare fare, changeable and refundable

I would guess airlines might make some money on the people who get burned not able to use nonchangeable/nonrefundable tickets. At the end of the day, it might create the necessary fee structure for more revenue, but at least give the perception to organized and reliable customers that they were a bit more in control of their risk.