this may seem like the stupidest of questions, but i've always wondered why ITN (or other fare basis viewing engines) can still show H,Q,V,L fares even when you don't meet the departure date minimums anymore? (i.e. pull up any old AC flight for departure tomorrow... chances are, it'll still show something like this - J2 C0 Y9 M9 T1 B9 H9 V9 Q9 L9 N1). I can't purchase an L fare, but it still shows "availability".

Although it's probably either a system or a system integration issue, doesn't it make sense that when you are 24 hrs away from departure, the L inventory should be zeroed out the way Empress sees his C inventory disappear?

(sorry Empress, bad joke! Hope you get the u/g on the return!)

Because someone might be paying a change fee for a different date or an earlier/later flight, they need the inventory to be there.

I think i have a better chance winning the 12.5 million Super 7 jackpot this Friday than the Aero-lotto on my return flight!

It's because people may not be purchasing a new ticket, but wish to change their return flight. It's only the outbound flight that is subject to the advance purchase restrictions.

For example, you purchase an L fare with a 21-day advance requirement. By definition, this will be a return ticket. However, after arriving at your destination you decide to go home a day early. Three (or perhaps more) conditions will have to be met. First, you are still meeting the minimum stay requirement (i.e. Saturday night stay.) Secondly, there must be space available in the fare category (i.e. "L" in this example.) And finally, the fare must allow changes. (Most will, upon payment of a change fee, but there are some fares that are simply not changeable.)

There may be other restrictions as well, such as time of day (after 7pm only) or day of week (Monday-Thursday only.) There can even be other weird restrictions, but these are the main ones.

So as long as you stay within the fare rules, you may be able to grab that L seat tomorrow right now, by simply by paying the change fee.

Empress: But assuming you have some flexibility in your return date, could you not pay a minimal change fee 7 days out, assuming there is definte C space available?

Ken, if i'm thinking what you are thinking, it's no good. Assuming that you purchase a Q fare and see availability in C on the return (say, 7 days from return), you will not meet the minimum purchase requirements on the "changed" fare basis and will likely have to buy full fare to be eligible on the u/g. I've tried it before after getting a break on a business trip, and AC wanted to see my fare go from a Q to a Y - no B, H or V even though they were available.

What about the other way around? In certain circumstances, what if you purchased an H fare and saw that 7 days out of the return you were out of luck on the u/g (zero C). Could you change your fare basis (paying the change fee) and get a credit on a portion of the ticket? In many cases, the difference between the change fee and the next lower fare basis is signficant.

I was think of Empresses' return, for which he's already paid the qualifying Aero-Lotto H fare. Right now, his return flight is showing C0. But if a few days before his flight he sees a different flight open up some C space, he could pay the change fee and confirm the upgrade on the spot.

Besides, just flying UA and AA (again ) is way easier.

My YYC - LHR flight last week went to C0 at 7 days out and stayed there until the morning of the flight, when it suddenly went back to C7. There might be hope yet, Empress. I ended up flying in the back with no operational upgrade but it was all fine, seat 12C was nice enough. Nothing exceptional about the flight, nothing to complain about - possibly the most standard flight ever!

Can't really move my return date too much. The days around my original return date is not looking too bright either [mostly J9C0]. I refuse to let AC dictate which date I'll be flying. I've already paid enough for the H class ticket so I am not too keen in paying the change fee.

Agreed. In fact, my next HKG trip in a couple of weeks has already been ticketed on UA. Then the next one in mid May will also be on UA (to be purchased soon). Might also be doing some paid J to HKG this summer and those will go towards CX. Rupert can go play his own Aero-lotto. Not me...

Now that you reminded me, I don't even have a Y seat assignment for my return flight as I was expecting to get the upgrade. The only seats left on that flight are way back toward the back of the bus. Disaster waiting to happen...

Not have a seat assignment could be a plus (although not an E+). If they get overbooked, lack of seat assignment overules SE staus doesn't it?

For sure... so they can bump people up from Y class and give me a seat in Y.