First Time Booking a Refundable Fare
#16
Join Date: May 2009
Location: SEA
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Posts: 1,097
OP here. Thanks everyone for the replies. I have copied the full fare rules below for the exact Fare Code I have for both outbound and return segments. Based on my reading I do not see any penalty amount to be forfeited in the event of a cancel. Ultimately if there was one it would not be the end of the world, and I do fly DL frequently for leisure so could always use a certificate. Just curious if anyone sees any wording here to indicate otherwise.
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And ... I'd take the full refund. My credit card gives me travel protection only if I pay for my ticket in full with it.
Last edited by 3Cforme; Dec 28, 2018 at 4:53 am Reason: no need to repeat fare rules
#17
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Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: NYC
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OP here. Thanks everyone for the replies. I have copied the full fare rules below for the exact Fare Code I have for both outbound and return segments. Based on my reading I do not see any penalty amount to be forfeited in the event of a cancel. Ultimately if there was one it would not be the end of the world, and I do fly DL frequently for leisure so could always use a certificate. Just curious if anyone sees any wording here to indicate otherwise.
That means 100% refundable to original form of payment. If there was a cancellation fee or change fee, it would say so there.
#18
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: DUS
Programs: DL PM (was DL DM for 3yrs), HHonors Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 2,067
I have a similar question:
If I book an international r/t with the return as a REFUNDABLE/CHANGEABLE B-fare can I downgrade it to a T-fare or whatever once I nail down the return date? Would I be able to get the difference back to the original form of payment (or at least an eCredit)?
If I book an international r/t with the return as a REFUNDABLE/CHANGEABLE B-fare can I downgrade it to a T-fare or whatever once I nail down the return date? Would I be able to get the difference back to the original form of payment (or at least an eCredit)?
#19
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Would you make the change before or after flying the outbound portion? Wouldn't it be cheaper to just buy the restricted T ticket and then pay the change fees? That way you would at least get the T fare on the outbound part and whatever is available for the return if you make the chances after arriving at your destination. If you do the changes before travel begins, you would just be cancelling the B fare ticket, taking the refund (assuming that this is a fully refundable B fare) and purchasing the cheapest coach ticket that's available at the time you make the change.
#20
Join Date: Jan 2014
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I should have been more specific. I would be making the change after flying the outbound T-fare.
My thought was that if I didn't mind having the cash tied up I could avoid paying the change fee by initially paying for B and risking that T is available for my future date-of-choice.
My thought was that if I didn't mind having the cash tied up I could avoid paying the change fee by initially paying for B and risking that T is available for my future date-of-choice.
#21
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: PHX
Programs: Delta DM, Marriott Lifetime Titanium, HHonrs Diamond
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AND THE FARE COMPONENT MUST NOT INCLUDE TRAVEL BETWEEN DCA AIRPORT AND LAX ON AIRBUS INDUSTRIE A330-200 AIRCRAFT ON NONSTOP FLIGHTS. AND THE FARE COMPONENT MUST NOT INCLUDE TRAVEL BETWEEN DCA AIRPORT AND LAX ON AIRBUS INDUSTRIE A330-300 AIRCRAFT ON NONSTOP FLIGHTS. AND THE FARE COMPONENT MUST NOT INCLUDE TRAVEL BETWEEN DCA AIRPORT AND LAX ON AIRBUS INDUSTRIE A350-900 AIRCRAFT ON NONSTOP FLIGHTS. AND THE FARE COMPONENT MUST NOT INCLUDE TRAVEL BETWEEN DCA AIRPORT AND LAX ON BOEING 767-400 AIRCRAFT ON NONSTOP FLIGHTS. AND THE FARE COMPONENT MUST NOT INCLUDE TRAVEL BETWEEN DCA AIRPORT AND LAX ON BOEING 767-300 WINGLETS AIRCRAFT ON NONSTOP FLIGHTS. AND THE FARE COMPONENT MUST NOT INCLUDE TRAVEL BETWEEN DCA AIRPORT AND LAX ON BOEING 777 AIRCRAFT ON NONSTOP FLIGHTS. AND THE FARE COMPONENT MUST NOT INCLUDE TRAVEL BETWEEN DCA AIRPORT AND LAX ON BOEING 777-200LR AIRCRAFT ON NONSTOP FLIGHTS. AND THE FARE
We knew they were going to have trouble finding routes for the A350 with their shrinking Asia route map, but this is ridiculous, and maybe a little risky on a runway that short.
Still, the fact that they get so detailed regarding their widebodies and include the A350 means that it has at least crossed their mind that they might use these on domestic routes for more than a one-off like LAS in January for CES.
#22
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Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: NYC
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I should have been more specific. I would be making the change after flying the outbound T-fare.
My thought was that if I didn't mind having the cash tied up I could avoid paying the change fee by initially paying for B and risking that T is available for my future date-of-choice.
My thought was that if I didn't mind having the cash tied up I could avoid paying the change fee by initially paying for B and risking that T is available for my future date-of-choice.
So you can't really do what you're trying to (and clearly you're not the first person to think of it ).
Just book the T fare and pay the change fee after you finalize your plans. There will not be a fare difference, unless there is no "T" inventory on your desired return flight, then you'll have to buy up to whatever is available.
Alternatively, if you're traveling in a market where one-way fares are available at half the round-trips, then you could purchase two separate one-way fares. However, there's still really no benefit of booking a one-way B fare on the return trip that you will likely have to change. You'll just end up having to cancel that fare and rebook at the lowest available fare at that time (which may be more or less expensive than the current T fare).
#23
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: DUS
Programs: DL PM (was DL DM for 3yrs), HHonors Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 2,067
Since the two fare rules are independent on a r/t this also makes me wonder why one isn't charge two change fees when changing a non-refundable r/t before flying any portion of it?
#24
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but half of FT would cease to exist!
PLEASE don't give DL or any other airline any ideas
Do you really think agents are reviewing the outbound fare rules when repricing the inbound (after the outbound has been flown)? I think HUCA may apply here, but by the book I see now that fronting extra cash to avoid a change fee probably isn't going to work.
Since the two fare rules are independent on a r/t this also makes me wonder why one isn't charge two change fees when changing a non-refundable r/t before flying any portion of it?
Since the two fare rules are independent on a r/t this also makes me wonder why one isn't charge two change fees when changing a non-refundable r/t before flying any portion of it?
#25
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"If the itinerary has more than one fare rule, the most restrictive rule applies to the entire itinerary."
So you can't really do what you're trying to (and clearly you're not the first person to think of it ).
Just book the T fare and pay the change fee after you finalize your plans. There will not be a fare difference, unless there is no "T" inventory on your desired return flight, then you'll have to buy up to whatever is available.
Alternatively, if you're traveling in a market where one-way fares are available at half the round-trips, then you could purchase two separate one-way fares. However, there's still really no benefit of booking a one-way B fare on the return trip that you will likely have to change. You'll just end up having to cancel that fare and rebook at the lowest available fare at that time (which may be more or less expensive than the current T fare).
So you can't really do what you're trying to (and clearly you're not the first person to think of it ).
Just book the T fare and pay the change fee after you finalize your plans. There will not be a fare difference, unless there is no "T" inventory on your desired return flight, then you'll have to buy up to whatever is available.
Alternatively, if you're traveling in a market where one-way fares are available at half the round-trips, then you could purchase two separate one-way fares. However, there's still really no benefit of booking a one-way B fare on the return trip that you will likely have to change. You'll just end up having to cancel that fare and rebook at the lowest available fare at that time (which may be more or less expensive than the current T fare).
Exactly.
Moreover, some fares might not be combinable into RTs. A T fare outbound could require a T or other low fare class (nonrefundable) on the return, or if you want refundable (for whatever reason) in the return direction, the ticket could be forced into a full Y fare.
Moreover, some fares might not be combinable into RTs. A T fare outbound could require a T or other low fare class (nonrefundable) on the return, or if you want refundable (for whatever reason) in the return direction, the ticket could be forced into a full Y fare.
#26
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Darn, that takes down a huge chunk of their schedule right there :/
We knew they were going to have trouble finding routes for the A350 with their shrinking Asia route map, but this is ridiculous, and maybe a little risky on a runway that short.
Still, the fact that they get so detailed regarding their widebodies and include the A350 means that it has at least crossed their mind that they might use these on domestic routes for more than a one-off like LAS in January for CES.
We knew they were going to have trouble finding routes for the A350 with their shrinking Asia route map, but this is ridiculous, and maybe a little risky on a runway that short.
Still, the fact that they get so detailed regarding their widebodies and include the A350 means that it has at least crossed their mind that they might use these on domestic routes for more than a one-off like LAS in January for CES.
#27
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: NYC
Posts: 27,191
Exactly.
Moreover, some fares might not be combinable into RTs. A T fare outbound could require a T or other low fare class (nonrefundable) on the return, or if you want refundable (for whatever reason) in the return direction, the ticket could be forced into a full Y fare.
Moreover, some fares might not be combinable into RTs. A T fare outbound could require a T or other low fare class (nonrefundable) on the return, or if you want refundable (for whatever reason) in the return direction, the ticket could be forced into a full Y fare.
#28
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: NYC
Posts: 27,191
Yeah, that's really annoying. Fares should be more friendly. Do you really think agents are reviewing the outbound fare rules when repricing the inbound (after the outbound has been flown)? I think HUCA may apply here, but by the book I see now that fronting extra cash to avoid a change fee probably isn't going to work.
Since the two fare rules are independent on a r/t this also makes me wonder why one isn't charge two change fees when changing a non-refundable r/t before flying any portion of it?
#29
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: DUS
Programs: DL PM (was DL DM for 3yrs), HHonors Gold, Marriott Gold
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#30
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That would earn more MQDs for you as well as more RDMs. It could also help on getting to a DL AmEx threshold and even more RDMs as well as the bonus MQMs (to keep or gift if it's the Reserve card).