changing travel agent booking?
 

Ive got a booking (business I class) tomorrow SIN-HKG booked via company agent, but ive contacted them and they said they cannot change it. They are being most unhelpful, as there are plenty of seats available on the flights.

Can CX change the booking for me? Ive emailed them and they said no. But surely there has to be some way they can do this?

No. Not unless the first segment has been used, and even then I understand it is an exception, not a right.

I'm surprised CX replied your email so fast :D

It has to be changed by the issuing TA. Have the TA said why they cannot change it? There seems to be plenty of I fare on all flights for 12 November.
But maybe they use a special corporate fare with plenty of restrictions. There are even someI I fares which are unchangeable or with change fee. Until the first segment is flown the CX reservation agent cannot see the conditions on your specific fare.

I use I fares all the time and have changed my return dates several times by calling CX direct and not the TA as often there is 6 or 7 hrs time difference from Europe to Asia where the TA is

But that's different. If you have already travelled the outbound, then the return may be changed with CX if no change fees apply. If on a multi sector ticket involving other airlines, CX will generally ask you to go back to the TA.

But OP hasn't travelled outbound yet, and it seems that its not because the TA won't change it but rather, the TA didn't explain as the ticket has not been used, it's not just a change but rather a cancellation and reissue which is different from 'just' a change. So that involves cancellation, refund, and reissue new ticket so new fees.

Thanks for that Guy. I always change on the return not outbound and yes I now recall they do change my tickets on outbound but they are re-issued.

Theoretically it has to be changed by the agent that issue the ticket, did they say why they couldn't change it?

No the TA didnt say why they cant change it for me although i suspect it may be as someone suggests, an I fare with lots of restrictions... really annoying as its a minor change which would make a huge difference to my schedule

They are discounted I fares for a reason. If you / your company wish to have the flexibility...then you shouldn't have bought an I fare in first place.

Some I fares have no change restrictions as long as I fare bucket is available. Restrictions on different I fares vary considerably depending on the exact fare bucket used and the origin. In each country there are numerous I fares and coniditions can be quite different. However typical corporate I fares do not have much change restrictions except that I fare bucket must be available. Otherwise you have to upgrade to the corporate D fare. Companies need flexibility for their business pax.

Despite the wording "company agent", it would seem surprising that a corporate I fare was used as there is plenty of I availablility on the desired flight but the TA would not accept to change it.
I asume that the "company agent" wording by the OP does not mean that this was a corporate fare, but rather a leisure fare offered by the TA. I frequently use travel packages exHKG in business class (companion tickets including hotel) and those I fares are totally nonchangeable/nonrefundable. That could be the case here.

I have some additional questions for OP:
* Is SIN a transit point or HKG a transit point? If anyone of them is a transit, will the change make that a stop or an overnight stay?
* Is this a promotion with restrictions on flight numbers?

oh - that's one thing cx would do for you as a DM
they can call TA for you...

What era was that?

No, they just say, "Call your agent"