Price Decrease on Continental.com!!! But too late.
Oct 9, 2008 | 7:26 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 18
Price Decrease on Continental.com!!! But too late.
I bought a ticket on continental.com two weeks ago for travel IAH-GRU-IAH in Feb 2009. Searched for the lowest fare available and paid $1400 for a M/I class fare. Today, the same itinerary is available for $1100 for a I/I class fare!!!!!! What gives?
What happened to "early bird catches the worm" and the benefits of planning ahead? I thought tickets were supposed to be cheaper the earlier you buy them.
I called continental, but they were not sympathetic or flexible at all, even though I am Gold Elite. Anyone have similar experiences and any suggestions to try to get that difference back?
What happened to "early bird catches the worm" and the benefits of planning ahead? I thought tickets were supposed to be cheaper the earlier you buy them.
I called continental, but they were not sympathetic or flexible at all, even though I am Gold Elite. Anyone have similar experiences and any suggestions to try to get that difference back?
Oct 9, 2008 | 7:34 pm
#2
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: PSM
Posts: 69,232
You can pay the change fee and re-ticket at the lower fare and get a credit for the difference. Odds are the change fee is $150 so you'll pay $150 more to get a $300 voucher. You can decide if that is worthwhile to you or not.
Oct 9, 2008 | 7:46 pm
#3
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: MIA
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bt i don't think the change fee is on full fare tickets is it ?
Oct 9, 2008 | 7:49 pm
#4
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I'm assuming that you are asking if there is a change fee on full fare tickets. If you mean a Y ticket the answer is no, as those are fully flexible. But the OP bought in the M and I fare buckets and those certainly will have change fees as they are considered discount and deep discount, respectively.
Oct 10, 2008 | 5:16 am
#5
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Moreland Hills (CLE)
Programs: Over-entitled UA 1.3MM Gold, AA Gold, Hilton Diamond, Marriott L-T Plat, Hertz PC
Posts: 5,526
Watch daily for schedule changes to your itinerary.
If one happens, then you might be able to get a full refund (and then rebook at the lower rate).
If one happens, then you might be able to get a full refund (and then rebook at the lower rate).
Oct 10, 2008 | 12:52 pm
#6
Join Date: Oct 2007
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Oct 10, 2008 | 1:25 pm
#7
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If the OP bought a Y fare they wouldn't need to wait for a schedule change to get a refund; they'd just get one. But if the schedule change is unacceptable to you one option provided by the CoC is a refund. The problem is that such a change cannot accurately be predicted and especially on a non-stop flight like the OP is on such a change is rarely enough to reasonably justify a refund. And even if there was such a change and CO agreed to refund the fare paid there is no way to know (or really to expect) that the cheaper fare will be still available at the time.
The OP bought a ticket based on being comfortable with the fare being asked for. Either pay the change fee or let it go, but the difference isn't going to be refunded/credited otherwise. CO doesn't do that.
The OP bought a ticket based on being comfortable with the fare being asked for. Either pay the change fee or let it go, but the difference isn't going to be refunded/credited otherwise. CO doesn't do that.
Oct 10, 2008 | 2:29 pm
#8
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Frozen in Carbonite
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If the OP bought a Y fare they wouldn't need to wait for a schedule change to get a refund; they'd just get one. But if the schedule change is unacceptable to you one option provided by the CoC is a refund. The problem is that such a change cannot accurately be predicted and especially on a non-stop flight like the OP is on such a change is rarely enough to reasonably justify a refund. And even if there was such a change and CO agreed to refund the fare paid there is no way to know (or really to expect) that the cheaper fare will be still available at the time.
The OP bought a ticket based on being comfortable with the fare being asked for. Either pay the change fee or let it go, but the difference isn't going to be refunded/credited otherwise. CO doesn't do that.
The OP bought a ticket based on being comfortable with the fare being asked for. Either pay the change fee or let it go, but the difference isn't going to be refunded/credited otherwise. CO doesn't do that.
Oct 10, 2008 | 4:52 pm
#9
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Philadelphia,PA
Programs: United 1K,Marriott Platinum Premier,IHC Platinum Ambassador,Hilton Gold
Posts: 1,898
Thats the name of the game.
Oct 11, 2008 | 7:32 am
#10
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you know, it's this very issue that's likely to keep me from renewing my plat status for '09. since united will issue me a voucher for the difference if the price goes down, why wouldn't i ticket with them instead? 
(sure, i'm unlikely to fly non-stop to anywhere on ua, but that's just more mileage accrual.
)
i LIKE co, but my wallet likes having options.
(sure, i'm unlikely to fly non-stop to anywhere on ua, but that's just more mileage accrual.
)i LIKE co, but my wallet likes having options.
Oct 11, 2008 | 9:37 am
#11
Join Date: Nov 2006
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[KVS Availability Tool 3.3.0/Platinum - ZUJ: HOU-SAO/CO/MR3SAN/1399 USD]
Code:
REGULAR APEX [PENALTIES] FARE RULE ORIGINATING UNITED STATES - TICKET IS NON-REFUNDABLE IN CASE OF CANCEL/ NO-SHOW. WAIVED FOR SCHEDULE CHANGE/ILLNESS OR DEATH OF PASSENGER OR FAMILY MEMBER. TICKET HAS NO VALUE UNLESS TICKETED FLIGHTS ARE CANCELLED PRIOR TO TICKETED DEPARTURE TIME. CHANGES BEFORE DEPARTURE CHARGE USD 200.00. CHILD/INFANT DISCOUNTS APPLY. WAIVED FOR SCHEDULE CHANGE/ILLNESS OR DEATH OF PASSENGER OR FAMILY MEMBER. WHEN THE ITINERARY RESULTS IN A LOWER FARE NO REFUNDS WILL BE MADE HOWEVER THE DIFFERENCE IN FARE WILL BE RETURNED TO THE PASSENGER IN THE FORM OF A NON REFUNDABLE TRAVEL VOUCHER WHICH MAY BE APPLIED TOWARDS THE PURCHASE OF A TICKET VALID FOR TRANSPORTATION GOVERNED BY CO.
If I have purchased a ticket and a new, lower fare is introduced, can I obtain a credit? Yes, in many cases you may obtain a credit voucher (non-refundable tickets) or refund (refundable tickets) over the phone (E-tickets only) or at any United ticket counter. A fee will apply for non-refundable tickets purchased for international travel. You can call the United Airlines Reservations Department at 800 UNITED 1 (800 864-8331). When we introduce new fares or reduce a current fare in a particular market, you may change a ticket to the new fare if:
- the change is made prior to departure
- you do not change the flight, date, origin, destination or stopover points
- reservations are confirmed in the appropriate class of service
- all fare restrictions are met
- the lower fare is not a special, united.com-only fare
Any applicable penalties are retroactive to the new fare ticket.
- the change is made prior to departure
- you do not change the flight, date, origin, destination or stopover points
- reservations are confirmed in the appropriate class of service
- all fare restrictions are met
- the lower fare is not a special, united.com-only fare
Any applicable penalties are retroactive to the new fare ticket.
Last edited by COpltASgldPHX; Oct 11, 2008 at 9:45 am