If ticket price goes down, will changing itin = refund?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2009
Programs: AS, WN, UA
Posts: 127
If ticket price goes down, will changing itin = refund?
I am reading that change fees are gone forever (for all, right? not just status?) but a fare differential may apply. Of course I understand that if switching to more expensive option, but what if the price goes down? Then is it just a wash or is this a return of the old fare price guarantee? I am guessing it's just a wash but i can't see anything about refunds...
Is the rule also consistent for mileage tickets? (Spoiled by WN and just canceling points tickets to rebook if price drops.)
Is the rule also consistent for mileage tickets? (Spoiled by WN and just canceling points tickets to rebook if price drops.)
#2
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: PDX
Programs: AS MVP Gold 100K
Posts: 2,329
In my experience, it essentially works like the old low fare guarantee. If you notice that the price dropped, go to change your flight but keep the dates and destination the same. On the next page, you should be able to select your same flight and receive a credit for it.
#4
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP, Hyatt Glob, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Plat, Total Wine & More Reserve
Posts: 4,521
#5
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 16
I have a related question... I have an SFO>ANC nonstop roundtrip flight in late June where the total fare dropped about $120 per ticket. I went to the "Change Reservation" option, and when I choose "Cancel this trip and use the value toward a new trip", I cannot get it to show the same itinerary (it shows the nonstop in one direction or the other, but it doesn't show both directions nonstop liked my original booking.) I went on the chat and asked them if they could rebook the identical trip (hoping I would pocket the difference as flight credit), but the agent refused. They said my only option was to cancel, wait potentially 7 days to get the flight credit, and then rebook. Do I have any options here? Does a flight credit refund really take 7 days?
Last edited by tgc225; May 27, 2021 at 9:52 pm
#6
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: LAX
Programs: AS MVPG, IHG Diamond Elite
Posts: 1,445
I have a related question... I have an SFO>ANC nonstop roundtrip flight in late June where the total fare dropped about $120 per ticket. I went to the "Change Reservation" option, and when I choose "Cancel this trip and use the value toward a new trip", I cannot get it to show the same itinerary (it shows the nonstop in one direction or the other, but it doesn't show both directions nonstop liked my original booking.) I went on the chat and asked them if they could rebook the identical trip (hoping I would pocket the difference as flight credit), but the agent refused. They said my only option was to cancel, wait potentially 7 days to get the flight credit, and then rebook. Do I have any options here? Does a flight credit refund really take 7 days?
Given it's a pretty significant amount of fare difference, I'd probably take the risk on cancelling hoping it shows up immediately.
#8
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: MFR
Programs: Alaska MVP, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 714
Typically crediting to AS Wallet is instantaneous. Most cases I've seen it take close to 7 days are when you're within 24 hr of purchase and still eligible for full refund, but I think it's taken a day once or twice when beyond that before, too.
Given it's a pretty significant amount of fare difference, I'd probably take the risk on cancelling hoping it shows up immediately.
Given it's a pretty significant amount of fare difference, I'd probably take the risk on cancelling hoping it shows up immediately.
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2009
Programs: AS, WN, UA
Posts: 127
Update - I did just successfully change a mileage ticket and the miles are nicely just redeposited, piece o' cake.
What I cannot seem to make happen, on another ticket, is to get it to re-price when a segment dropped in cost without changing it to another flight. I suppose I could technically change it and then change it back but I don't want to risk it for the $20 credit or whatever.
What I cannot seem to make happen, on another ticket, is to get it to re-price when a segment dropped in cost without changing it to another flight. I suppose I could technically change it and then change it back but I don't want to risk it for the $20 credit or whatever.
#10
Join Date: Sep 2014
Programs: AA EP, Hilton Diamond, Hertz Platinum
Posts: 636
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 23,065
Update - I did just successfully change a mileage ticket and the miles are nicely just redeposited, piece o' cake.
What I cannot seem to make happen, on another ticket, is to get it to re-price when a segment dropped in cost without changing it to another flight. I suppose I could technically change it and then change it back but I don't want to risk it for the $20 credit or whatever.
What I cannot seem to make happen, on another ticket, is to get it to re-price when a segment dropped in cost without changing it to another flight. I suppose I could technically change it and then change it back but I don't want to risk it for the $20 credit or whatever.
#13
Moderator: Alaska Mileage Plan
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 12,319
Amex Platinum, and perhaps other cards, require purchasing a roundtrip for Trip Cancellation and Interruption protections.
#14
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: SAN
Programs: AS 100K, DL MM, AA PLT
Posts: 2,934
Update - I did just successfully change a mileage ticket and the miles are nicely just redeposited, piece o' cake.
What I cannot seem to make happen, on another ticket, is to get it to re-price when a segment dropped in cost without changing it to another flight. I suppose I could technically change it and then change it back but I don't want to risk it for the $20 credit or whatever.
What I cannot seem to make happen, on another ticket, is to get it to re-price when a segment dropped in cost without changing it to another flight. I suppose I could technically change it and then change it back but I don't want to risk it for the $20 credit or whatever.
Also, it is my experience you can only do about 4 changes online, and have to call after that. Finally, unlike other posters in this thread, I have occasionally had money get held up by the "system" for a few days before making its way to my wallet---although the email option seems more reliable.
#15
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 500
Just wanted to add that I had a non-saver reservation paid for with wallet funds. It just went down in price but AS' website wouldn't let me change the flight and collect the credit like WN does. I canceled my reservation and got concerned that it said it could take up to 7 days for my funds to return to my wallet but it happened instantaneously. I then rebooked my same flight at the lower fare and the difference added to my wallet funds.