Help deciphering fare rule
May 3, 20, 2:01 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Paris
Programs: AA LT Plat (4m+), AF Plat, A3 Gold, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Plat, IHG Plat/Ambassador
Posts: 2,610
Help deciphering fare rule
There appear to be some pretty attractive fares ex-CDG and AMS to the US for the holiday season.
I found this fare from AMS-BOS , fare basis ZS0VCMNB ... 1380€ RT to BOS from AMS... 1200€ to JFK from CDG
I'm a lot bit surprised it is so flexible... am I reading this correctly?
a) It is non-refundable
b) It is changeable prior to departure for no fee provided all segments are confirmed 120 days before departure. That part makes sense.
c) It is changeable after departure provided that the same class of service is available...
But is this saying that after departure any change triggers a recalculation of the fare?
Never seen a fare where after departure there is no penalty to change.... but that the fare is recalculated. Can someone enlighten me here?
Thanks.
I found this fare from AMS-BOS , fare basis ZS0VCMNB ... 1380€ RT to BOS from AMS... 1200€ to JFK from CDG
I'm a lot bit surprised it is so flexible... am I reading this correctly?
a) It is non-refundable
b) It is changeable prior to departure for no fee provided all segments are confirmed 120 days before departure. That part makes sense.
c) It is changeable after departure provided that the same class of service is available...
But is this saying that after departure any change triggers a recalculation of the fare?
Never seen a fare where after departure there is no penalty to change.... but that the fare is recalculated. Can someone enlighten me here?
Thanks.
May 3, 20, 3:47 pm
#2
Join Date: Apr 2005
Programs: AF/KL FB Plat ; A3 Gold ; HH Gold ; IHG Plat Amb
Posts: 2,338
Exactly, this is flexible for changes.
However, the fare is not refundable, so in case the flights are not cancelled, you cannot get your money back.
This is a promotional fare with 120 days advanced purchase, you need to book by 31MAY.
This means that if you want to make changes before departure, you are subject to the fare difference with the new fare available at that moment (assuming you change it after 31MAY, if you change it before 31MAY, this fare should be available and departure should happen 120 days after ticket change if you change the outbound. If you change the inbound, it does not matter, historical fares are considered and advanced purchased is measured from original ticketing date to actual date of departure). I guess there will be good deals for a while this year though but the new fare might be less flexible. You can also change it to another origin if there is a promo that suits you at the moment you make the change, like changing AMS BOS for BRU SFO.
However, once you have flown the outbound (no stopover permitted) you can change for free the return leg with the historical (cheap) fares and without penalty, and you can do it several times (max stay is 3 months), the fare will be recalculated but just as if you had bought it now in the first place. So as long as you know when you want to go to US, you don't need to decide exactly when and how you go back, pretty cool.
However, the fare is not refundable, so in case the flights are not cancelled, you cannot get your money back.
This is a promotional fare with 120 days advanced purchase, you need to book by 31MAY.
This means that if you want to make changes before departure, you are subject to the fare difference with the new fare available at that moment (assuming you change it after 31MAY, if you change it before 31MAY, this fare should be available and departure should happen 120 days after ticket change if you change the outbound. If you change the inbound, it does not matter, historical fares are considered and advanced purchased is measured from original ticketing date to actual date of departure). I guess there will be good deals for a while this year though but the new fare might be less flexible. You can also change it to another origin if there is a promo that suits you at the moment you make the change, like changing AMS BOS for BRU SFO.
However, once you have flown the outbound (no stopover permitted) you can change for free the return leg with the historical (cheap) fares and without penalty, and you can do it several times (max stay is 3 months), the fare will be recalculated but just as if you had bought it now in the first place. So as long as you know when you want to go to US, you don't need to decide exactly when and how you go back, pretty cool.
May 3, 20, 3:52 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Paris
Programs: AA LT Plat (4m+), AF Plat, A3 Gold, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Plat, IHG Plat/Ambassador
Posts: 2,610
Exactly, this is flexible for changes.
However, the fare is not refundable, so in case the flights are not cancelled, you cannot get your money back.
This is a promotional fare with 120 days advanced purchase, you need to book by 31MAY.
This means that if you want to make changes before departure, you are subject to the fare difference with the new fare available at that moment. I guess there will be good deals for a while this year though but the new fare might be less flexible. You can also change it to another origin if there is a promo that suits you at the moment you make the change, like changing AMS BOS for BRU SFO.
However, once you have flown the outbound (no stopover permitted) you can change for free the return leg with the historical (cheap) fares and without penalty, and you can do it several times (max stay is 3 months), the fare will be recalculated but just as if you had bought it now in the first place. So as long as you know when you want to go to US, you don't need to decide exactly when and how you go back, pretty cool.
However, the fare is not refundable, so in case the flights are not cancelled, you cannot get your money back.
This is a promotional fare with 120 days advanced purchase, you need to book by 31MAY.
This means that if you want to make changes before departure, you are subject to the fare difference with the new fare available at that moment. I guess there will be good deals for a while this year though but the new fare might be less flexible. You can also change it to another origin if there is a promo that suits you at the moment you make the change, like changing AMS BOS for BRU SFO.
However, once you have flown the outbound (no stopover permitted) you can change for free the return leg with the historical (cheap) fares and without penalty, and you can do it several times (max stay is 3 months), the fare will be recalculated but just as if you had bought it now in the first place. So as long as you know when you want to go to US, you don't need to decide exactly when and how you go back, pretty cool.
Thanks again.
May 3, 20, 4:53 pm
#4
Join Date: Apr 2005
Programs: AF/KL FB Plat ; A3 Gold ; HH Gold ; IHG Plat Amb
Posts: 2,338
It is not uncommon these days for promotional fares with a fixed latest ticketing date. Instead of having a published policy for free changes that requires manual adjustments on fares with change fees, having fares free changes in the fare rules allow automated processes. Some other airlines put specific free changes for ticketing before 31MAY (example date) and usual change fee for other ticketing dates. However, when a ticket is reissued following a change, I don't know if the rule applies based on original ticketing date or based on actual ticketing date of the reissued ticket.
May 3, 20, 4:59 pm
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Paris
Programs: AA LT Plat (4m+), AF Plat, A3 Gold, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Plat, IHG Plat/Ambassador
Posts: 2,610
It is not uncommon these days for promotional fares with a fixed latest ticketing date. Instead of having a published policy for free changes that requires manual adjustments on fares with change fees, having fares free changes in the fare rules allow automated processes. Some other airlines put specific free changes for ticketing before 31MAY (example date) and usual change fee for other ticketing dates. However, when a ticket is reissued following a change, I don't know if the rule applies based on original ticketing date or based on actual ticketing date of the reissued ticket.
If I were in revenue management at any airline, I would be finding any formula possible to increase cash flow.
But then again, I'm glad I don't work in rev management now :-)
May 4, 20, 4:16 am
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Paris
Programs: AA LT Plat (4m+), AF Plat, A3 Gold, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Plat, IHG Plat/Ambassador
Posts: 2,610
[QUOTE=gaukuser;32347057]Am I understanding this correctly that this fare is essentially an open return?[/QUOTE
The maximum stay is 3 months.
The maximum stay is 3 months.
May 4, 20, 5:12 am
#8
Join Date: Feb 2008
Programs: Flying Blue Platinum / Marriott Gold / Hilton Gold / IHG Platinum ... A former AA Platinum
Posts: 105
May 4, 20, 7:12 am
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Paris
Programs: AA LT Plat (4m+), AF Plat, A3 Gold, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Plat, IHG Plat/Ambassador
Posts: 2,610
May 4, 20, 4:51 pm
#10
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: YOW
Programs: Flying Blue Plat, Accor Gold
Posts: 382
I thought all tickets newly booked after Apr 22nd will be "changeable without a fee".
I made a change of my trip in May to August, and the exchange condition became "changeable without a charge" from "changeable with 300 CAD". Discussed with the Plat line and they confirmed they would be waiving the fee for new bookings. Refund conditions remain the same though.
I made a change of my trip in May to August, and the exchange condition became "changeable without a charge" from "changeable with 300 CAD". Discussed with the Plat line and they confirmed they would be waiving the fee for new bookings. Refund conditions remain the same though.
May 4, 20, 5:05 pm
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Paris
Programs: AA LT Plat (4m+), AF Plat, A3 Gold, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Plat, IHG Plat/Ambassador
Posts: 2,610
