Same fare class (I) but big difference in fare changing inbound
Nov 4, 2021, 12:29 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2010
Programs: SQ*G BA GGL/CCR
Posts: 188
Same fare class (I) but big difference in fare changing inbound
Hello Peeps,
I feel I should know this but would appreciate your input. My original ticket was CDG-LHR-CPT-LHR-CDG in CW (i) the whole way. BA then cancelled the CDG-LHR flight, so I rerouted it to be LHR-CPT-LHR-CDG (for free as within 300 miles it seems). I'm now trying to change the date by two days on the CPT-LHR-CDG inbound. There is (i) class availability but the fare quote to change it is £500 (including COVID no change fee). That seems excessive given same discounted fare class availability. Is this normal? I get that pricing is dynamic but normally would expect the difference when the same discounted fare class is available to be minimal. I also understand that when you change the outbound, the pricing resets to current market pricing for the whole ticket, but not when you just change the inbound. Is this correct?
I feel I should know this but would appreciate your input. My original ticket was CDG-LHR-CPT-LHR-CDG in CW (i) the whole way. BA then cancelled the CDG-LHR flight, so I rerouted it to be LHR-CPT-LHR-CDG (for free as within 300 miles it seems). I'm now trying to change the date by two days on the CPT-LHR-CDG inbound. There is (i) class availability but the fare quote to change it is £500 (including COVID no change fee). That seems excessive given same discounted fare class availability. Is this normal? I get that pricing is dynamic but normally would expect the difference when the same discounted fare class is available to be minimal. I also understand that when you change the outbound, the pricing resets to current market pricing for the whole ticket, but not when you just change the inbound. Is this correct?
Nov 4, 2021, 12:38 pm
#2
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 2,660
Hello Peeps,
I feel I should know this but would appreciate your input. My original ticket was CDG-LHR-CPT-LHR-CDG in CW (i) the whole way. BA then cancelled the CDG-LHR flight, so I rerouted it to be LHR-CPT-LHR-CDG (for free as within 300 miles it seems). I'm now trying to change the date by two days on the CPT-LHR-CDG inbound. There is (i) class availability but the fare quote to change it is £500 (including COVID no change fee). That seems excessive given same discounted fare class availability. Is this normal? I get that pricing is dynamic but normally would expect the difference when the same discounted fare class is available to be minimal. I also understand that when you change the outbound, the pricing resets to current market pricing for the whole ticket, but not when you just change the inbound. Is this correct?
I feel I should know this but would appreciate your input. My original ticket was CDG-LHR-CPT-LHR-CDG in CW (i) the whole way. BA then cancelled the CDG-LHR flight, so I rerouted it to be LHR-CPT-LHR-CDG (for free as within 300 miles it seems). I'm now trying to change the date by two days on the CPT-LHR-CDG inbound. There is (i) class availability but the fare quote to change it is £500 (including COVID no change fee). That seems excessive given same discounted fare class availability. Is this normal? I get that pricing is dynamic but normally would expect the difference when the same discounted fare class is available to be minimal. I also understand that when you change the outbound, the pricing resets to current market pricing for the whole ticket, but not when you just change the inbound. Is this correct?
Nov 4, 2021, 12:50 pm
#3
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA Gold, Hilton Diamond, IHG Spire
Posts: 1,243
In my knowledge if you haven’t started the ticket then it’s current maker price if you flew a segment then it’s historical. Normally the whole ticket needs to be repriced. But as before there could be many other reasons.
next time you call ask the calculations in details. The agent should able to explain why do you need to pay £500 and exactly what is going on.
next time you call ask the calculations in details. The agent should able to explain why do you need to pay £500 and exactly what is going on.
Nov 4, 2021, 1:16 pm
#4
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Dublin, Ireland
Programs: BA Gold, Mucci
Posts: 2,068
I feel I should know this but would appreciate your input. My original ticket was CDG-LHR-CPT-LHR-CDG in CW (i) the whole way. BA then cancelled the CDG-LHR flight, so I rerouted it to be LHR-CPT-LHR-CDG (for free as within 300 miles it seems). I'm now trying to change the date by two days on the CPT-LHR-CDG inbound. There is (i) class availability but the fare quote to change it is £500 (including COVID no change fee). That seems excessive given same discounted fare class availability. Is this normal? I get that pricing is dynamic but normally would expect the difference when the same discounted fare class is available to be minimal. I also understand that when you change the outbound, the pricing resets to current market pricing for the whole ticket, but not when you just change the inbound. Is this correct?
I have a DUB-LHR-JFK-LAX flight coming up and it's an overnight connection on the origin from DUB-LHR. I called to make it the next morning to connect with the flight I am taking better, and it was £1,000 to make the change. Of course, later on the LHR-JFK was cancelled so I was able to move it then along with that flight for nothing.
You'll just have to hope for a cancelled sector to make the change, otherwise pay, or leave it as is.
Nov 4, 2021, 6:19 pm
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: London
Programs: Mucci. Nothing else matters.
Posts: 38,644
A guess:
The ticket was originally priced using CDG-CPT-CDG fares. I would typically expect these to be lower than LHR-CPT-LHR fares. Similarly a LHR-CPT-CDG ticket would have been more expensive than a CDG-CPT-CDG ticket.
When the ticket was invol rerouted LHR-CPT-CDG, no add collect was due, even though the new LHR-CPT-CDG routing was more expensive than the fares originally paid. BA basically allowed you a more expensive trip for the original price.
If you change only the inbound half of a ticket, the BA rule is typically that "the itinerary must be re-priced using historical fares in effect on the previous ticketing date or using current fares in effect on the date the ticket is reissued - whichever is lower". Using historical fares usually means that there is little if any fare difference if the date change is small (so you're not jumping between very different seasons or hitting advance purchase etc restrictions).
On the OP's ticket, now that a vol change is being attempted for the inbound half of the ticket, the reprice may be using historical fares in accordance with the rules, but now it has to be historical LHR-CPT-CDG fares. Hence there is now a fare difference, even though BA was basically swallowing that when the first change / reroute was invol.
The ticket was originally priced using CDG-CPT-CDG fares. I would typically expect these to be lower than LHR-CPT-LHR fares. Similarly a LHR-CPT-CDG ticket would have been more expensive than a CDG-CPT-CDG ticket.
When the ticket was invol rerouted LHR-CPT-CDG, no add collect was due, even though the new LHR-CPT-CDG routing was more expensive than the fares originally paid. BA basically allowed you a more expensive trip for the original price.
If you change only the inbound half of a ticket, the BA rule is typically that "the itinerary must be re-priced using historical fares in effect on the previous ticketing date or using current fares in effect on the date the ticket is reissued - whichever is lower". Using historical fares usually means that there is little if any fare difference if the date change is small (so you're not jumping between very different seasons or hitting advance purchase etc restrictions).
On the OP's ticket, now that a vol change is being attempted for the inbound half of the ticket, the reprice may be using historical fares in accordance with the rules, but now it has to be historical LHR-CPT-CDG fares. Hence there is now a fare difference, even though BA was basically swallowing that when the first change / reroute was invol.
Nov 4, 2021, 7:09 pm
#6
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: RTW
Posts: 677
Globaliser: Yes, but quite apart from the more expensive/APD liable non-Eu origin, isn't the "historical fare" basis for re-pricing usually only applicable after the outbound has actually been flown? Prior to departure (which I assume is the situation here), re-pricing is usually at currently available prices.
i.e. the OP may be better off changing after they get to CPT (assuming "i" fares are still available).
i.e. the OP may be better off changing after they get to CPT (assuming "i" fares are still available).
Nov 4, 2021, 7:47 pm
#7
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 3,596
Just a guess but would I be right in thinking you originally purchased your CDG-CPT ticket during a sale? I've where it was excessively cheaper to begin the journey at CDG than it was to start the journey at LHR?
As others have eluded although date changes are permitted without penalty under book with confidence, you're liable for any fare difference. The underlying I class fare you purchased needs to be recalculated at todays I class fare. That is where I'm guessing the differential is coming into play. You'd only be eligible for a waiver of that fare differential if either of the booked CPT-LON-CDG flights were to cancel or be significantly re timed.
As others have eluded although date changes are permitted without penalty under book with confidence, you're liable for any fare difference. The underlying I class fare you purchased needs to be recalculated at todays I class fare. That is where I'm guessing the differential is coming into play. You'd only be eligible for a waiver of that fare differential if either of the booked CPT-LON-CDG flights were to cancel or be significantly re timed.
Last edited by 1Aturnleft; Nov 4, 2021 at 7:52 pm
Nov 5, 2021, 6:17 am
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2010
Programs: SQ*G BA GGL/CCR
Posts: 188
A guess:
The ticket was originally priced using CDG-CPT-CDG fares. I would typically expect these to be lower than LHR-CPT-LHR fares. Similarly a LHR-CPT-CDG ticket would have been more expensive than a CDG-CPT-CDG ticket.
When the ticket was invol rerouted LHR-CPT-CDG, no add collect was due, even though the new LHR-CPT-CDG routing was more expensive than the fares originally paid. BA basically allowed you a more expensive trip for the original price.
If you change only the inbound half of a ticket, the BA rule is typically that "the itinerary must be re-priced using historical fares in effect on the previous ticketing date or using current fares in effect on the date the ticket is reissued - whichever is lower". Using historical fares usually means that there is little if any fare difference if the date change is small (so you're not jumping between very different seasons or hitting advance purchase etc restrictions).
On the OP's ticket, now that a vol change is being attempted for the inbound half of the ticket, the reprice may be using historical fares in accordance with the rules, but now it has to be historical LHR-CPT-CDG fares. Hence there is now a fare difference, even though BA was basically swallowing that when the first change / reroute was invol.
The ticket was originally priced using CDG-CPT-CDG fares. I would typically expect these to be lower than LHR-CPT-LHR fares. Similarly a LHR-CPT-CDG ticket would have been more expensive than a CDG-CPT-CDG ticket.
When the ticket was invol rerouted LHR-CPT-CDG, no add collect was due, even though the new LHR-CPT-CDG routing was more expensive than the fares originally paid. BA basically allowed you a more expensive trip for the original price.
If you change only the inbound half of a ticket, the BA rule is typically that "the itinerary must be re-priced using historical fares in effect on the previous ticketing date or using current fares in effect on the date the ticket is reissued - whichever is lower". Using historical fares usually means that there is little if any fare difference if the date change is small (so you're not jumping between very different seasons or hitting advance purchase etc restrictions).
On the OP's ticket, now that a vol change is being attempted for the inbound half of the ticket, the reprice may be using historical fares in accordance with the rules, but now it has to be historical LHR-CPT-CDG fares. Hence there is now a fare difference, even though BA was basically swallowing that when the first change / reroute was invol.
Hmmm. Suppose I just have to suck it up.
Update: just spoke to GGL team and they confirmed that this is indeed what happened. It reprices using historic but with London as fare origin rather than CDG hence the difference.
Last edited by SQjunkie; Nov 5, 2021 at 6:45 am
Nov 5, 2021, 6:45 am
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2010
Programs: SQ*G BA GGL/CCR
Posts: 188
Nov 5, 2021, 6:47 am
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2014
Location: UK
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 12,270
Nov 9, 2021, 4:11 am
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: London
Programs: Mucci. Nothing else matters.
Posts: 38,644
Globaliser: Yes, but quite apart from the more expensive/APD liable non-Eu origin, isn't the "historical fare" basis for re-pricing usually only applicable after the outbound has actually been flown? Prior to departure (which I assume is the situation here), re-pricing is usually at currently available prices.
--- REPRICING CONDITIONS ---
REPRICE USING ANY FARE TYPE EXCEPT ERU AND EOU.
A. BEFORE DEPARTURE OF JOURNEY WHEN THE FIRST FARE COMPONENT IS CHANGED THE ITINERARY MUST BE RE-PRICED USING CURRENT FARES IN EFFECT ON THE DATE THE TICKET IS REISSUED.
B. BEFORE DEPARTURE OF JOURNEY WHEN CHANGES ARE TO BOOKING CODE ONLY IN THE FIRST FARE COMPONENT AND RESULT IN A HIGHER FARE THE ITINERARY MUST BE RE-PRICED USING HISTORICAL FARES IN EFFECT ON THE PREVIOUS TICKETING DATE OR USING CURRENT FARES IN EFFECT ON THE DATE THE TICKET IS REISSUED - WHICHEVER IS LOWER.
C. BEFORE DEPARTURE OF JOURNEY WHEN THERE ARE NO CHANGES TO THE FIRST FARE COMPONENT BUT OTHER FARE COMPONENTS ARE CHANGED THE ITINERARY MUST BE RE-PRICED USING HISTORICAL FARES IN EFFECT ON THE PREVIOUS TICKETING DATE OR USING CURRENT FARES IN EFFECT ON THE DATE THE TICKET IS REISSUED- WHICHEVER IS LOWER.
D. AFTER DEPARTURE OF JOURNEY THE ITINERARY MUST BE RE-PRICED USING HISTORICAL FARES IN EFFECT ON THE PREVIOUS TICKETING DATE.
E. AFTER DEPARTURE OF THE JOURNEY THE ITINERARY MAY BE RE-PRICED USING CURRENTLY TICKETED FARE PROVIDED THERE ARE NO CHANGES TO FLIGHT NUMBERS AND TRAVEL DATES. OTHERWISE HISTORICAL FARES IN EFFECT ON THE PREVIOUS TICKETING DATE MUST BE USED.
REPRICE USING ANY FARE TYPE EXCEPT ERU AND EOU.
A. BEFORE DEPARTURE OF JOURNEY WHEN THE FIRST FARE COMPONENT IS CHANGED THE ITINERARY MUST BE RE-PRICED USING CURRENT FARES IN EFFECT ON THE DATE THE TICKET IS REISSUED.
B. BEFORE DEPARTURE OF JOURNEY WHEN CHANGES ARE TO BOOKING CODE ONLY IN THE FIRST FARE COMPONENT AND RESULT IN A HIGHER FARE THE ITINERARY MUST BE RE-PRICED USING HISTORICAL FARES IN EFFECT ON THE PREVIOUS TICKETING DATE OR USING CURRENT FARES IN EFFECT ON THE DATE THE TICKET IS REISSUED - WHICHEVER IS LOWER.
C. BEFORE DEPARTURE OF JOURNEY WHEN THERE ARE NO CHANGES TO THE FIRST FARE COMPONENT BUT OTHER FARE COMPONENTS ARE CHANGED THE ITINERARY MUST BE RE-PRICED USING HISTORICAL FARES IN EFFECT ON THE PREVIOUS TICKETING DATE OR USING CURRENT FARES IN EFFECT ON THE DATE THE TICKET IS REISSUED- WHICHEVER IS LOWER.
D. AFTER DEPARTURE OF JOURNEY THE ITINERARY MUST BE RE-PRICED USING HISTORICAL FARES IN EFFECT ON THE PREVIOUS TICKETING DATE.
E. AFTER DEPARTURE OF THE JOURNEY THE ITINERARY MAY BE RE-PRICED USING CURRENTLY TICKETED FARE PROVIDED THERE ARE NO CHANGES TO FLIGHT NUMBERS AND TRAVEL DATES. OTHERWISE HISTORICAL FARES IN EFFECT ON THE PREVIOUS TICKETING DATE MUST BE USED.