Changing a flight costs
May 22, 2009 | 8:00 am
#1
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Changing a flight costs
So my girlfriend is over visiting me in the UK and wanted to change her ticket to the 09/01 from 05/26. We got a nasty surprise when they said they wanted $670.00 to do so.
Having made this trip a few times on the midweek days i know that the flights are no where near full and that it seems rather expensive to change, her 2 way ticket was only $560.00.
I understand that she got an economy ticket with more restrictions but is there anyway around this? Can I use my miles to buy a one way fare for her?
Its annoying as we will be making a fair few TA flights between us and I got her to switch to CO from BA, and now she's cursing them.
Having made this trip a few times on the midweek days i know that the flights are no where near full and that it seems rather expensive to change, her 2 way ticket was only $560.00.
I understand that she got an economy ticket with more restrictions but is there anyway around this? Can I use my miles to buy a one way fare for her?
Its annoying as we will be making a fair few TA flights between us and I got her to switch to CO from BA, and now she's cursing them.
May 22, 2009 | 8:02 am
#2
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Apparently you've forgotten about Labor Day, which would account for the huge jump in fare.
May 22, 2009 | 8:20 am
#3
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Haha, i'll mention that to her, being English i would have no idea about US national holidays.
Maybe i'll try the week before as well.
Maybe i'll try the week before as well.
May 22, 2009 | 8:25 am
#4
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(Sorry, thought you were an expat)
Tell her to try the week after. That's when most schools start classes and loads fall off a cliff.
May 22, 2009 | 8:39 am
#5
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All Americans pretty much observe at least the following list:
1. New Year's
2. Memorial Day
3. July 4
4. Labor Day (actually 9/7 this year, FYI)
5. Thanksgiving
6. Christmas
May 22, 2009 | 8:44 am
#6
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I was talking about "unique" US holidays of which Labor, Memorial, and Independence Day all fit. I had forgotten about Thanksgiving.
Regarding the date of Labor day this year. Good to know. I had no idea it was that late this year. @:-)
Regarding the date of Labor day this year. Good to know. I had no idea it was that late this year. @:-)
May 22, 2009 | 9:24 am
#7
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Given the price difference, why not just buy another ticket and have her visit twice? A good portion of the cost of the change is the change fee -- which is almost certainly at least $250.
May 22, 2009 | 9:54 am
#8
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great suggestion -- those change fees could definitely go towards a new tkt instead!
May 22, 2009 | 9:56 am
#9
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May 22, 2009 | 10:23 am
#10
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The other reason the fare goes up a lot, if you are changing from a short stay to a long stay in the UK, is that most CO cheap fares have a 1 month maximum stay. Staying longer raises the price around $100 each way for EWR-LHR. Add that to a $250 change fee and the fact you got a cheapish fare to start with, and there's your explanation. BA and VS don't seem to have as much of a jump, if any, to go from a 1 month maximum stay to a 12-month maximum stay.
May 22, 2009 | 12:09 pm
#11
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OK, we don't have as many holidays as, say, Italy but we have a few more than three national holidays...
All Americans pretty much observe at least the following list:
1. New Year's
2. Memorial Day
3. July 4
4. Labor Day (actually 9/7 this year, FYI)
5. Thanksgiving
6. Christmas
All Americans pretty much observe at least the following list:
1. New Year's
2. Memorial Day
3. July 4
4. Labor Day (actually 9/7 this year, FYI)
5. Thanksgiving
6. Christmas
May 22, 2009 | 12:39 pm
#12
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May 22, 2009 | 1:36 pm
#13
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We could pile on Good Friday, Columbus Day, St Patrick's Day, etc., but in reality most people have to work on those so-called holidays.
May 22, 2009 | 4:23 pm
#14
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 282
You can click on the +- 3 days to see prices that are cheaper. That's what I do to go to the UK. Also it seems to be a bit more expensive when you fly on a sat or sun. I think if you try to book after labor day then it should be cheaper. it's not summer anymore and children go back to school.