Reduced Change Fee for Flights Under $100!
Aug 15, 08, 12:41 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Long Island, NY and Boca Raton, FL
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Reduced Change Fee for Flights Under $100!
Hi all,
I decided to start a new thread for this, as the original one is lengthy.
When JetBlue increased the change fee to $100, an initial complaint was that some fares are less than $100 and actually changing that flight would not be worth it. In yesterday's TB statement, you can see that there is now a lower change fee for fares under $100. I believe this will be $50.
Directly from the statement:
Enjoy!
I decided to start a new thread for this, as the original one is lengthy.
When JetBlue increased the change fee to $100, an initial complaint was that some fares are less than $100 and actually changing that flight would not be worth it. In yesterday's TB statement, you can see that there is now a lower change fee for fares under $100. I believe this will be $50.
Directly from the statement:
Low fares, low fees
If you booked a flight for less than $100 and need to make a change or cancellation, we are now charging a reduced change/cancel fee, regardless of booking date.
If you booked a flight for less than $100 and need to make a change or cancellation, we are now charging a reduced change/cancel fee, regardless of booking date.
Aug 15, 08, 8:56 pm
#2
Join Date: Apr 2003
Programs: B6 Mosaic, Bonvoy LT Titanium (x SPG LT), IHG Spire, UA Silver
Posts: 5,254
Nice that they were finally able to see the light on this one. The change fee is the one fee that I believed to be counter productive. The higher the change fee the longer people will wait to buy tickets. If you buy in advance and have to make a change, you basically have to buy a whole new ticket anyway so why bother to book early unless you are absolutely sure of the dates and that the fare will not increase at least $100.
Aug 18, 08, 8:29 am
#3
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 244
Any more specifics on this? I tried booking a $64 one-way on the site today, and the fine print right on the booking page still said $100 change fee. Obviously the change-fee-wipes-out-the-ticket problem is not nearly unique to jetBlue (with change fees of $150, most US majors wipe out even more expensive tickets), but I am interested to see how and when jetBlue will implement their new policy. I highly doubt anyone else will follow suit.
Aug 18, 08, 9:03 am
#4
Join Date: Jan 2005
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So essentially, they are admitting that this is a purely arbitrary fee, and is not really tied to the cost of processing the transaction.....
And yes, this is not just a JetBlue specific criticism -- it applies to all airlines and their ridiculous change fees.
And yes, this is not just a JetBlue specific criticism -- it applies to all airlines and their ridiculous change fees.
Aug 18, 08, 10:13 am
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Long Island, NY and Boca Raton, FL
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Posts: 2,275
The new policy was implemented immediately. Although it was mentioned in the TB email/statement last week, I don't think it will be "advertised" -- Just like the fact that you can get a full credit on a fare drop is not really "advertised." Also, I remember in the past (with the ~$25/$40 change fees) that the change fee was waived when the fare difference exceeded $100. This was not really "advertised" either...frequent JetBlue customers just (like here on FT) just knew it. Don't expect a change of wording in the T&C on fare rules/Contract of Carriage/etc. - just a way to be customer friendly when it comes to lower fares/change fees.
Nov 5, 10, 8:05 pm
#8
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,592
Originally Posted by hobo13
So essentially, they are admitting that this is a purely arbitrary fee, and is not really tied to the cost of processing the transaction.....
And yes, this is not just a JetBlue specific criticism -- it applies to all airlines and their ridiculous change fees.
And yes, this is not just a JetBlue specific criticism -- it applies to all airlines and their ridiculous change fees.
Nov 5, 10, 8:54 pm
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: n.y.c.
Posts: 13,717
Originally Posted by audio-nut
A change fee is a penalty assessed to recoup the cost of holding inventory without using it. Why is it ridiculous to charge for the loss in revenue?
Since the seat can be re-sold at the then-prevailing rate for that flight's inventory, what if there's not a loss in revenue, but an increase, if the seat gets sold at a higher price?
Nov 5, 10, 10:24 pm
#10
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,592
Originally Posted by nerd
Good question.
Since the seat can be re-sold at the then-prevailing rate for that flight's inventory, what if there's not a loss in revenue, but an increase, if the seat gets sold at a higher price?
Since the seat can be re-sold at the then-prevailing rate for that flight's inventory, what if there's not a loss in revenue, but an increase, if the seat gets sold at a higher price?
I would agree that the fee is arbitrary, sometimes the hit is less then $100 and sometimes more, but it absolutely costs the airline revenue. Furthermore, if there was no change fee then people would game the system and tie up far more inventory.
Last edited by audio-nut; Nov 5, 10 at 10:34 pm
Nov 5, 10, 11:24 pm
#12
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,592
Originally Posted by nerd
Why do assume? Do no assume. 
That's why I said "What if there's not a loss in revenue?"
That's why I said "What if there's not a loss in revenue?"
Last edited by audio-nut; Nov 5, 10 at 11:32 pm
Nov 9, 10, 9:05 am
#15
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: NYC
Posts: 69,210
Originally Posted by dieuwer2
How about cheeps fares for $6? A change fee of $50 is steep for those.
