Dropping first segment, need to reissue?
Oct 7, 2014, 4:26 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Ottawa, ON
Programs: AC*SE100K, AC*MM, Marriott Platinum Elite
Posts: 286
Dropping first segment, need to reissue?
I have a YOW-YUL-LAS Flex itinerary on AC (and Rouge...) and want to proactively cancel the YOW-YUL portion, but pick up the rest of my itinerary from YUL.
I know I can't no-show, but my TA is telling me that to cancel the first segment I need to reissue the ticket for a $200 change fee.
Does that sound correct? Thanks for any tips.
I know I can't no-show, but my TA is telling me that to cancel the first segment I need to reissue the ticket for a $200 change fee.
Does that sound correct? Thanks for any tips.
Oct 7, 2014, 7:17 am
#4
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: YYC
Posts: 4,035
Correct. Think of it this way:
In the summer I flew LAS-FCO via my hometown of YYC (where I spent the night). The flight was $1,700 in J r/t. Same trip originating in YYC was $4,500. If AC allowed what you are suggesting, people could book the cheapest trip they could find as long as it went via their hometown, and just cancel the first segment for free. And that's not something AC (or any airline) is interested in doing, as it would remove their ability to price based city pairs.
In the summer I flew LAS-FCO via my hometown of YYC (where I spent the night). The flight was $1,700 in J r/t. Same trip originating in YYC was $4,500. If AC allowed what you are suggesting, people could book the cheapest trip they could find as long as it went via their hometown, and just cancel the first segment for free. And that's not something AC (or any airline) is interested in doing, as it would remove their ability to price based city pairs.
Oct 7, 2014, 11:52 am
#5
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: YVR
Programs: AC 100K SE (*G), Marriott P, SPG G, Hilton D
Posts: 611
Technically, the advice is correct that you should pay change fee of 200 -- but I have been able to avoid this change fee a couple times.
So, about 3 years ago I had a flight YYJ-YVR-SYD. I called Elite reservations line and asked if they could drop the first segment. I told them I was trying to avoid the change fee and after putting me on hold for a brief time, the agent said that she would make the change free of charge. I just had to pay difference in Airport Taxes.
Also, one time I was flying YYJ-YVR-YYC and I ended up in YVR the night before. I called the Concierge and the first person I talked to wanted to charge me the change fee and was insistent. I called back after a hour -- talked to someone different and they agreed to drop the segment for me. No fees.
If you're persistent and talk to some different people then someone may be willing to make the change for you. At the same time, I know they've been cracking down on change fees and agents who waive them are criminals of "internal theft" as one agent told me. But it's always worth a try!
So, about 3 years ago I had a flight YYJ-YVR-SYD. I called Elite reservations line and asked if they could drop the first segment. I told them I was trying to avoid the change fee and after putting me on hold for a brief time, the agent said that she would make the change free of charge. I just had to pay difference in Airport Taxes.
Also, one time I was flying YYJ-YVR-YYC and I ended up in YVR the night before. I called the Concierge and the first person I talked to wanted to charge me the change fee and was insistent. I called back after a hour -- talked to someone different and they agreed to drop the segment for me. No fees.
If you're persistent and talk to some different people then someone may be willing to make the change for you. At the same time, I know they've been cracking down on change fees and agents who waive them are criminals of "internal theft" as one agent told me. But it's always worth a try!