Charging for Free Changes - please help
Oct 25, 2005 | 3:40 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: SIN 5 days out of 7
Programs: BD*G, A3*G, BA-S, Accor Gold, IHG Amb
Posts: 5,505
Charging for Free Changes - please help
Hello,
I'm hoping someone can give me some advice.
I bought a flight through Emirates Online Booking in July for a trip that I'm currently travelling on. I had to phone Emirates at one point regarding the fare rules and during the conversation I was told that I could make three free changes to my dates after completion of the LHR to DXB sector.
I since changed one sector for free without a problem.
I then needed to change a second sector (DXB - LHR) to a later date. This I made at the Dubai Call Centre.
I had to check that I was allow to fly on the particular flight as per the fare rules and so was asked to go to one of their offices to check (as the EK telephone centre in Dubai couldn't see my fare rules). I was also told that I didn't need to have my ticket re-endorsed as long as I took along my email confirmation as it was my final sector.
Having asked one office to check the flight was allowed they also said I needed to have my ticket re-endorsed even after I mentioned what I'd been previously told.
Being close to an office today, I decided to stop by to get the ticket re-endorsed jsut to be on the safe side. But whilst waiting the lady at the desk told me I had to made the equivalent of GBP 80 for the change?!
During none of the telephone conversations to request changes was a charge mentioned and even during the initial call I was told "3 free after LHR - DXB".
She also showed me a print out of the PNR which contained a paragraph along the lines of: Emirates Office in the UK telling me LHR - DXB was free to change but all others after DXB were chargeable for GBP 75.
This is the inverse of what I was actually told however!
I'm already streched over my budget and more erroneous charges I can't afford to pay. They lady said I'd have to pay and write to EK when I get back to the UK which for me isn't really an option I want to use as it sounds more like I'm being fobbed off.
I left office without paying, hoping to get the matter sorted before my flight which is in 2 weeks time.
Do any FTers have any suggestions as to what I should do.
I'm assuming that I really need to get this sorted as now it seems the lady added a mention to my PNR which the check-in agents will likily read and thus likily to demand payment before boarding.
Thank you to anyone who can help,
Jamie
I'm hoping someone can give me some advice.
I bought a flight through Emirates Online Booking in July for a trip that I'm currently travelling on. I had to phone Emirates at one point regarding the fare rules and during the conversation I was told that I could make three free changes to my dates after completion of the LHR to DXB sector.
I since changed one sector for free without a problem.
I then needed to change a second sector (DXB - LHR) to a later date. This I made at the Dubai Call Centre.
I had to check that I was allow to fly on the particular flight as per the fare rules and so was asked to go to one of their offices to check (as the EK telephone centre in Dubai couldn't see my fare rules). I was also told that I didn't need to have my ticket re-endorsed as long as I took along my email confirmation as it was my final sector.
Having asked one office to check the flight was allowed they also said I needed to have my ticket re-endorsed even after I mentioned what I'd been previously told.
Being close to an office today, I decided to stop by to get the ticket re-endorsed jsut to be on the safe side. But whilst waiting the lady at the desk told me I had to made the equivalent of GBP 80 for the change?!
During none of the telephone conversations to request changes was a charge mentioned and even during the initial call I was told "3 free after LHR - DXB".
She also showed me a print out of the PNR which contained a paragraph along the lines of: Emirates Office in the UK telling me LHR - DXB was free to change but all others after DXB were chargeable for GBP 75.
This is the inverse of what I was actually told however!
I'm already streched over my budget and more erroneous charges I can't afford to pay. They lady said I'd have to pay and write to EK when I get back to the UK which for me isn't really an option I want to use as it sounds more like I'm being fobbed off.
I left office without paying, hoping to get the matter sorted before my flight which is in 2 weeks time.
Do any FTers have any suggestions as to what I should do.
I'm assuming that I really need to get this sorted as now it seems the lady added a mention to my PNR which the check-in agents will likily read and thus likily to demand payment before boarding.
Thank you to anyone who can help,
Jamie
Oct 25, 2005 | 7:35 am
#2
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Pennsylvania
Programs: AA Platinum Pro, AC *S, Marriott Gold Elite, Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 9,791
Originally Posted by jbfield
Hello,
I'm hoping someone can give me some advice.
I bought a flight through Emirates Online Booking in July for a trip that I'm currently travelling on. I had to phone Emirates at one point regarding the fare rules and during the conversation I was told that I could make three free changes to my dates after completion of the LHR to DXB sector.
Did the rules say that you could make these changes?
I since changed one sector for free without a problem.
Was that after flying LHR-DXB?
I then needed to change a second sector (DXB - LHR) to a later date. This I made at the Dubai Call Centre.
I had to check that I was allow to fly on the particular flight as per the fare rules and so was asked to go to one of their offices to check (as the EK telephone centre in Dubai couldn't see my fare rules). I was also told that I didn't need to have my ticket re-endorsed as long as I took along my email confirmation as it was my final sector.
True. ^
Having asked one office to check the flight was allowed they also said I needed to have my ticket re-endorsed even after I mentioned what I'd been previously told.
Being close to an office today, I decided to stop by to get the ticket re-endorsed jsut to be on the safe side. But whilst waiting the lady at the desk told me I had to made the equivalent of GBP 80 for the change?!
During none of the telephone conversations to request changes was a charge mentioned and even during the initial call I was told "3 free after LHR - DXB".
She also showed me a print out of the PNR which contained a paragraph along the lines of: Emirates Office in the UK telling me LHR - DXB was free to change but all others after DXB were chargeable for GBP 75.
This makes more sense. Generally, with Emirates it becomes more expensive to change a ticket when you are in the process of travelling on it
This is the inverse of what I was actually told however!
I'm already streched over my budget and more erroneous charges I can't afford to pay. They lady said I'd have to pay and write to EK when I get back to the UK which for me isn't really an option I want to use as it sounds more like I'm being fobbed off.
I left office without paying, hoping to get the matter sorted before my flight which is in 2 weeks time.
Do any FTers have any suggestions as to what I should do.
I'm assuming that I really need to get this sorted as now it seems the lady added a mention to my PNR which the check-in agents will likily read and thus likily to demand payment before boarding.
Thank you to anyone who can help,
Jamie
I'm hoping someone can give me some advice.
I bought a flight through Emirates Online Booking in July for a trip that I'm currently travelling on. I had to phone Emirates at one point regarding the fare rules and during the conversation I was told that I could make three free changes to my dates after completion of the LHR to DXB sector.
Did the rules say that you could make these changes?
I since changed one sector for free without a problem.
Was that after flying LHR-DXB?
I then needed to change a second sector (DXB - LHR) to a later date. This I made at the Dubai Call Centre.
I had to check that I was allow to fly on the particular flight as per the fare rules and so was asked to go to one of their offices to check (as the EK telephone centre in Dubai couldn't see my fare rules). I was also told that I didn't need to have my ticket re-endorsed as long as I took along my email confirmation as it was my final sector.
True. ^
Having asked one office to check the flight was allowed they also said I needed to have my ticket re-endorsed even after I mentioned what I'd been previously told.
Being close to an office today, I decided to stop by to get the ticket re-endorsed jsut to be on the safe side. But whilst waiting the lady at the desk told me I had to made the equivalent of GBP 80 for the change?!
During none of the telephone conversations to request changes was a charge mentioned and even during the initial call I was told "3 free after LHR - DXB".
She also showed me a print out of the PNR which contained a paragraph along the lines of: Emirates Office in the UK telling me LHR - DXB was free to change but all others after DXB were chargeable for GBP 75.
This makes more sense. Generally, with Emirates it becomes more expensive to change a ticket when you are in the process of travelling on it
This is the inverse of what I was actually told however!
I'm already streched over my budget and more erroneous charges I can't afford to pay. They lady said I'd have to pay and write to EK when I get back to the UK which for me isn't really an option I want to use as it sounds more like I'm being fobbed off.
I left office without paying, hoping to get the matter sorted before my flight which is in 2 weeks time.
Do any FTers have any suggestions as to what I should do.
I'm assuming that I really need to get this sorted as now it seems the lady added a mention to my PNR which the check-in agents will likily read and thus likily to demand payment before boarding.
Thank you to anyone who can help,
Jamie
I have often changes non-changable tickets for free at the London Emirates office as long as the ticket wasnt issued in London.
Cheers
Oct 26, 2005 | 12:57 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: SIN 5 days out of 7
Programs: BD*G, A3*G, BA-S, Accor Gold, IHG Amb
Posts: 5,505
Hi Sadiqhassan
Thank you for the reply.
In reply to your questions,
My Fare Class is B and the EK telephone agents in Manchester said it was, quote, "a special online fare".
"Did the rules say that you could make these changes?"
The copy of the fare rules I had did not explicitly say three free changes.
"I since changed one sector for free without a problem."
"Was that after flying LHR-DXB?"
Yes, I had completed the LHR-DXB sector plus another three sectors before I made this change without charge.
I should perphas add that when I went into the office (Colombo) to get this first change checked by the agent, as per EK's request, they enquired as to whether I wanted to change any other sectors too! Since I wasn't sure of my movements I didn't move any others at that time, but I'm now thinking if only I'd done so then!
The office that is asking for a fee is in Qatar.
I'm considering contacting Skywards Dubai and then going into a different EK office if still required (i.e. Another office not in Qatar).
Thank you for the reply.
In reply to your questions,
My Fare Class is B and the EK telephone agents in Manchester said it was, quote, "a special online fare".
"Did the rules say that you could make these changes?"
The copy of the fare rules I had did not explicitly say three free changes.
"I since changed one sector for free without a problem."
"Was that after flying LHR-DXB?"
Yes, I had completed the LHR-DXB sector plus another three sectors before I made this change without charge.
I should perphas add that when I went into the office (Colombo) to get this first change checked by the agent, as per EK's request, they enquired as to whether I wanted to change any other sectors too! Since I wasn't sure of my movements I didn't move any others at that time, but I'm now thinking if only I'd done so then!
The office that is asking for a fee is in Qatar.
I'm considering contacting Skywards Dubai and then going into a different EK office if still required (i.e. Another office not in Qatar).
Oct 26, 2005 | 4:15 pm
#4
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Pennsylvania
Programs: AA Platinum Pro, AC *S, Marriott Gold Elite, Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 9,791
Hi,
Unfortunately the agent in Qatar is correct - you should be charged 75GBP. I have looked up the fare rules for the "B" class UK --> Dubai fare and here is what I came up with.
From: London, England (LON-All Airports)
To: Dubai, United Arab Emirates (DXB-Dubayy Intl.)
(and return)
Fare Basis Code: BE6MGB1
PENALTIES - CANCEL-75.00 GBP BEFORE DEPART
CANCEL-75.00 GBP AFTER DEPART
CHANGE-75.00 GBP BEFORE/AFTER DEPART
FOR ALL CONDITIONS SEE TEXT RULE
I would try your luck with another office
Cheers
Unfortunately the agent in Qatar is correct - you should be charged 75GBP. I have looked up the fare rules for the "B" class UK --> Dubai fare and here is what I came up with.
From: London, England (LON-All Airports)
To: Dubai, United Arab Emirates (DXB-Dubayy Intl.)
(and return)
Fare Basis Code: BE6MGB1
PENALTIES - CANCEL-75.00 GBP BEFORE DEPART
CANCEL-75.00 GBP AFTER DEPART
CHANGE-75.00 GBP BEFORE/AFTER DEPART
FOR ALL CONDITIONS SEE TEXT RULE
I would try your luck with another office
Cheers