Changing to a cheaper flight, and then a more expensive one
Mar 13, 20, 1:23 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2008
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 246
Changing to a cheaper flight, and then a more expensive one
My parents were planning to fly from Dublin to the US on Aer Lingus in business on Saturday - unfortunately my Dad was in Amsterdam last weekend, so won't be allowed into the US. We can change the flights without fee, but right now all flights in the future are cheaper than the present booking is worth. I understand that if they change to a cheaper flight then they won't be refunded the difference, but if they change to (say) a flight in August now, will any record of the original fare be kept if they then end up wanting to (say) change to a more expensive flight in July - ie, if they paid X last month, switch to a flight that's 0.8X now and then change again to a flight that's 0.9X would that still be free or would they need to pay the fare difference between 0.8X and 0.9X?
(After 90 minutes on hold earlier today, the official line appears to be that if a passenger is suddenly no longer going to be allowed into the US, that's the passenger's problem)
(After 90 minutes on hold earlier today, the official line appears to be that if a passenger is suddenly no longer going to be allowed into the US, that's the passenger's problem)
Mar 13, 20, 4:55 am
#2
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: EIDW
Programs: Aer Lingus Concierge, Radisson Rewards Platinum, BW Diamond, Hilton Gold
Posts: 1,813
We are in uncharted territory here
1. It always has been the passengers responsibility to ensure they comply with the entry requirements of the destination. Yes the rules have changed but the US government set some random rules. US permanent residents are under no restriction they are free to travel to the US
2. The policy is fare difference, no refunds (unless you can use the 24 hour window in force due US DOT rules)
3. You need to ask EI they certainly know the total paid at the outset.
1. It always has been the passengers responsibility to ensure they comply with the entry requirements of the destination. Yes the rules have changed but the US government set some random rules. US permanent residents are under no restriction they are free to travel to the US
2. The policy is fare difference, no refunds (unless you can use the 24 hour window in force due US DOT rules)
3. You need to ask EI they certainly know the total paid at the outset.
Mar 18, 20, 5:33 am
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Netherlands
Programs: KL Platinum; A3 Gold
Posts: 28,131
Every time you change your ticket, you will be subject to paying any increase in fare difference. In the future, you will also probably have to pay the change fee (which is currently waived).
If you move to a "cheaper" date, you don't get a "refund". You cannot therefore expect to get that "refund", even in the form of a "credit", at any further point in the future if/when you then make further changes to a more expensive date.
You therefore gain absolutely nothing by changing the ticket now to a date that you fully intend not to travel on. You can currently change the ticket for travel out to Feb or maybe even Mar 2021 on most routes. Select a date sufficiently distant where you can commit to travelling (and, in that distant timeframe if it turns out you can't travel as re-booked, then change the ticket for a second time - which brings you to the same scenario that you were actively considering doing now anyway).
(But bear in mind that there is now at least a risk that Aer Lingus may not survive the current crisis)
If you move to a "cheaper" date, you don't get a "refund". You cannot therefore expect to get that "refund", even in the form of a "credit", at any further point in the future if/when you then make further changes to a more expensive date.
You therefore gain absolutely nothing by changing the ticket now to a date that you fully intend not to travel on. You can currently change the ticket for travel out to Feb or maybe even Mar 2021 on most routes. Select a date sufficiently distant where you can commit to travelling (and, in that distant timeframe if it turns out you can't travel as re-booked, then change the ticket for a second time - which brings you to the same scenario that you were actively considering doing now anyway).
(But bear in mind that there is now at least a risk that Aer Lingus may not survive the current crisis)
