Is the Intl Change fee really $200 USD?
 

I just changed a ticket for next week to return home on Saturday instead of Friday. The CO elite line informed me that Intl Change fees are $200 per change.

I searched both CO.com and FT.com but did not readily find anything detailing this. My original ticket says "NONREF/0VALUAFTDPT/CHGFEE" with no other details.

I am accustomed to the $100 change fee, but is the $200 fee considered normal? The fare basis code did not change.

I do believe the change fee IS $200.00 on international tickets. There really are reasons why the airlines are all about the international routes, this is one of those reasons. $25.00 for changes to your transcon itinerary but $200.00 for a simple little change on a flight across the pond, cha ching.

I received a call recently from somebody who had boarded the wrong train in Europe and ended up in a distant European city from the flight they were planning to board to fly back to the States. I called Continental Airlines on their behalf and Continental was really wonderful, they gladly changed the cities (and no, they weren't in the same country, it wasn't as simple as "oops, I meant to head to Glasgow but I'm in Edinburgh"), they charged the $200.00 and the difference in taxes, the passenger was extremely lucky.

it cost me $150 per ticket to change my tickets from quito.

My most recent change was a Q fare to HKG. $150.

I tried to change an EWR-DUB-EWR and they said $200 (so I didn't change it and went myself). My friend (who bailed on the trip which is why I wanted to change it) said he only got charged $75.

Obnoxious.

Given how expensive Europe tickets are (especially in summer), it seems money-grubbing to charge $200 (+ any difference in fare!), but I guess it's a business that needs to make some money. Not a very consumer friendly policy, however. Long live Southwest Airlines and no change fees (and CEO Kelly says they someday might fly across the Pond).

I just purchased a Ticket to Hamburg next week. It did said the change fee is $200 dollars. I remember I paid $100 for change fee's last year when I have to do it in Hong Kong.

I know Cathay only charge $100 for change fee. My recent trip with them I have to change my flight twice in Singapore and they only charged me $100.

As in the U.S., change fees vary by market and subject to change. It's in the fare rules of your ticket.

1. The change fee is clearly displayed on the website before you book when you click "penalty rules" or "rules and restrictions" under the Review Ticket Details screen. You don't have to buy the ticket if you don't agree with the change fees.

2. You can find the change fee easily after you purchase by clicking "View Receipt" under your itinerary on continental.com.

Some of you should get some cheese to go with your whine.

I think it depends upon the original ticket puchased and fare rules. Today, I used a cancelled EWR-LGW ticket for a new EWR-ATH. I knew the fee was $200 at the onset of the original purchase. When booking the new trip the OP agent said it was $400, I told her to check the original ticket regulations, and she came back agreeing with the $200. But I do know it varies depending upon the regulations upon booking--anywere from $25- 400+. I do not beleive there is one set rate for all change fee charges.

To add to your post, I understand that there is no change fee for a full Y fare, so it would be possible to pay a $0 change fee...
Can't someone on a full Y fly confirmed sby for free too?

Generally this is true. However, as always, it's dependent upon the fare rules assoicated with the ticket. Stand by and change fee rules are outlined in the fare rules.

Moral of the story, always read the fare rules to understand your options.

I paid $100 to change HAM to ACT tickets last year on CO, FWIW.
Didn't notice it has gone up :(

Oops, I misspoke. The wife reminded me that last year the change fee was $200 each - not for the pair of us like I thought.

That said, I have a flight booked now and would gladly pay the change fee to leave a few days earlier - but the available fare difference is over $500. (I'm going to watch it up 'till departure in the hopes it will drop...)

On item #1 you are correct, on #2 though it is not the case. In theory that may be what is intended. However any purchased reservation I view only displays the following: "Fare Rules: Additional charges may apply for changes in addition to any fare rules listed.
NONREF/0VALUAFTDPT/CHGFEE
Cancel reservations before the scheduled departure time or TICKET HAS NO VALUE."

Now you are correct that when as you purchase the ticket you can get a complete WWW page displaying all of the fare rules (and trying CLE-LGW RT this morning it displays the $200).

After you complete a purchase though you cannot see that page (bug reported on www forum here). Even the emailed reciepts do not show the details or a link to display them.

Sortof. You should be able to change your ticket if there are seats available in the Y bucket, but if you ask them to process it as a standby you'd actually have to pay, I believe. In such a situation you should call a rez agent and have them actually change the flight, assuming inventory is available.