Plunging EU fares - when to rebook my $$$ tix?
Mar 9, 2009, 9:05 am
#16
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: DEN
Programs: UA MM Plat; AA MM Gold; HHonors Diamond
Posts: 15,866
Maybe someone should start a thread asking that question...I doubt that anyone in a position to answer that question definitively will look at this thread.
Mar 9, 2009, 9:15 am
#17
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: PEK
Programs: Alas, the Gravy Train Hath Ended...just happy to be an OW Sapphire and a ST Ivory...whatever
Posts: 4,389
Funny....my upcoming trip SAT-IAH-CDG leaving 3/26 was $566 a/i when I bought it about 2 months ago, and just checked it again after reading this thread and it's $579. 
Mar 9, 2009, 10:12 pm
#18
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Tampa, FL
Programs: Nothing - I'm useless!
Posts: 2,441
Just be happy it's going down. My fare has settle into a price and not budged in weeks all the while the upgrade to F has skyrocketed to $10k rt. Before it was a splurge I was considering but wanted to make sure i had the funds in order - just in case- but at 10k I'll sit in the back of the bus. Maybe it'll come down - doubt it.
Mar 10, 2009, 6:56 am
#19
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: New York NY
Programs: UA Gold, CO Plat, CO Million Miler
Posts: 2,617
I'd been watching fares to Rome in July. They've dropped a little to $928 (and BF is only around $1900), but the return flight we wanted (the later one) was an extra $250. Also, there was no reward availibility on the days we wanted to go. Then yesterday, the later return flight dropped down to the same as the earlier one, and reward availibility increased. So obviously, the economy is having some effect.
The change fee on TATL fares is $400 so it would now take a significant drop in price to make it worth rebooking - unless there really is a 30 day rule. Can someone research that out?
The change fee on TATL fares is $400 so it would now take a significant drop in price to make it worth rebooking - unless there really is a 30 day rule. Can someone research that out?
Mar 10, 2009, 8:57 am
#20
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Southern Europe/USA
Posts: 661
$50 rebook fee
Called the Elite line last evening and the CSR, without any hesitation, said that if I wanted to rebook a TATL flight in the case of a fare drop, the fee would be only $50 if done within 30 days of the original purchase.
Mar 16, 2009, 12:34 pm
#22
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Paris
Posts: 1,301
My girlfriend bought a AF ticket to CDG for $900...
Back then continental prices were similar, but now, while AF is still about 900, continental has plunged to $500...
Of course, they won't let you do the same thing with a ticket from a partner...
Back then continental prices were similar, but now, while AF is still about 900, continental has plunged to $500...
Of course, they won't let you do the same thing with a ticket from a partner...
Mar 16, 2009, 5:04 pm
#23
Join Date: May 1999
Location: Central New Jersey
Programs: UA-Platimum 2 MM, HH-Gold, MR-Lifetime Gold, Hyatt-Discoverist
Posts: 6,238
What was your original fare class? If it was one of the more expensive fares, then, yes most likely the change fee could very possibly be only $50. If it was one of the very cheap fares---that same change fee could be anywhere from $200-400. As Plat, I recently booked EWR-LIS for $328 r/t for May travel, I was told at the time of booking that any changes would incur a change fee of $350, same with a $220 r/t EWR-DUB I booked last week for May travel.
Mar 16, 2009, 5:37 pm
#24
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Wayne, NJ USA
Programs: UA Million Miler, Lifetime United Club member
Posts: 2,175
What was your original fare class? If it was one of the more expensive fares, then, yes most likely the change fee could very possibly be only $50. If it was one of the very cheap fares---that same change fee could be anywhere from $200-400. As Plat, I recently booked EWR-LIS for $328 r/t for May travel, I was told at the time of booking that any changes would incur a change fee of $350, same with a $220 r/t EWR-DUB I booked last week for May travel.
Mar 16, 2009, 6:45 pm
#25
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 716
) that the airlines file come with different advance purchase, minimum stay and change fees, etc... Some could have a $50 change fee.I can attest to having re-priced a DISCOUNT economy ticket with a $250 change fee for only $50.
Mar 17, 2009, 7:12 am
#26
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Southern Europe/USA
Posts: 661
What was your original fare class? If it was one of the more expensive fares, then, yes most likely the change fee could very possibly be only $50. If it was one of the very cheap fares---that same change fee could be anywhere from $200-400. As Plat, I recently booked EWR-LIS for $328 r/t for May travel, I was told at the time of booking that any changes would incur a change fee of $350, same with a $220 r/t EWR-DUB I booked last week for May travel.
Mar 17, 2009, 8:38 am
#27
Join Date: Jun 2007
Programs: UA Plat
Posts: 66
Also, like worldwidetraveler, the CSR on the Elite line immediately offered the $50 change fee - no coaxing/hints necessary! I only stated that I wanted to "see what my options are, now that the fares have dropped". She checked the new fares, verified the fare drop, and offered the $50 change fee for the travel vouchers (which they mail to you). Couldn't have been easier.
Mar 17, 2009, 11:01 am
#28
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Wayne, NJ USA
Programs: UA Million Miler, Lifetime United Club member
Posts: 2,175
I know this thread is originally for plunging EU fares, but I just wanted to add that this also worked for my PVG ticket, which I purchased in late Feb and has now dropped $160. My original fare classes were E (outbound) & L (inbound). After rebooking at the lower fare, my ticket is all booked in L.
Also, like worldwidetraveler, the CSR on the Elite line immediately offered the $50 change fee - no coaxing/hints necessary! I only stated that I wanted to "see what my options are, now that the fares have dropped". She checked the new fares, verified the fare drop, and offered the $50 change fee for the travel vouchers (which they mail to you). Couldn't have been easier.
Also, like worldwidetraveler, the CSR on the Elite line immediately offered the $50 change fee - no coaxing/hints necessary! I only stated that I wanted to "see what my options are, now that the fares have dropped". She checked the new fares, verified the fare drop, and offered the $50 change fee for the travel vouchers (which they mail to you). Couldn't have been easier.