Changing itinerary with non-refundable segment
Nov 22, 2022 | 9:04 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Scotland - ABZ
Programs: Qantas LTG, BA-Blue, KLM -Gold, SAS - Silver
Posts: 2,073
Changing itinerary with non-refundable segment
Hi All,
Back in May this year, I had booked a biz class rtn ABZ-MEL for early March 2023. ABZ-AMS-SIN-MEL rtn MEL-KUL-AMS-ABZ
Due to many delays and missed connections that were happening at the time of booking, for safety, I booked ABZ-AMS for the night before the AMS-SIN departure.
This came out as (I guess because I'm stopping more than 24h?) a multi-city booking so shows as 3 trips instead of 1 out + 1 back = 2.
OK, no big deal - but at the time I failed to notice that the AMS-MEL part is non-changeable and non-refundable, unlike all the other segments.
To be fair to myself, you had to click through the conditions to see that, and the KLM site was frequently not working properly.
Now I have to change the dates to 10 days later due to work and family events beyond my control.
I called KLM and they quoted me a massive EUR4300 to change to my new dates , or any days around then.
They suggested that I wait until New Year to see if KLM advised me of any changes or cancellations , and then I might be able to re-book without charge.
Last week KLM advised me that the departure of the KUL-AMS leg on the return from Oz has been changed by 15 minutes.
Is this my opening to request a date change on all legs?
Or do I have to wait for something more substantial?
Back in May this year, I had booked a biz class rtn ABZ-MEL for early March 2023. ABZ-AMS-SIN-MEL rtn MEL-KUL-AMS-ABZ
Due to many delays and missed connections that were happening at the time of booking, for safety, I booked ABZ-AMS for the night before the AMS-SIN departure.
This came out as (I guess because I'm stopping more than 24h?) a multi-city booking so shows as 3 trips instead of 1 out + 1 back = 2.
OK, no big deal - but at the time I failed to notice that the AMS-MEL part is non-changeable and non-refundable, unlike all the other segments.
To be fair to myself, you had to click through the conditions to see that, and the KLM site was frequently not working properly.
Now I have to change the dates to 10 days later due to work and family events beyond my control.
I called KLM and they quoted me a massive EUR4300 to change to my new dates , or any days around then.
They suggested that I wait until New Year to see if KLM advised me of any changes or cancellations , and then I might be able to re-book without charge.
Last week KLM advised me that the departure of the KUL-AMS leg on the return from Oz has been changed by 15 minutes.
Is this my opening to request a date change on all legs?
Or do I have to wait for something more substantial?
Nov 24, 2022 | 8:52 am
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Netherlands
Programs: KL Platinum; LH Senator; A3 Silver
Posts: 30,630
A change of a mere 15 minutes in one of the flights, which in no way impedes your ability to fly the ticket as booked, will not allow you to make changes for free to the ticket.
However, I should point out that you appear to have totally overlooked the issue of fare difference here, and seem to assume that the amount of 4,300 quoted is predominantly down to the fact that one of the sectors was booked in a non-refundable, non-changeable fare bucket. You can always "buy up" to a more flexible fare bucket to make changes, and that has been included in the amount quoted. Perhaps around 200-300 of the quoted amount would be apportioned to this change to your ticket (change fee). However, the size of the quoted fee means that fares have (greatly) increased since you booked. Even if you had initially booked a fully flexible ticket, you would still now be charged an amount of roughly 4,000 because that is how much the fares have increased since you booked.
The advice to hold off and wait to see if a substantial change happens to your ticket was good advice. I'm not sure, however, that it would automatically allow you to move all dates - for both the inbound and outbound sectors - in the manner that you expect. It would, however, allow you to cancel the ticket without penalty, and get all moneys paid returned to you. Under those circumstances, you may wish to book a new ticket with a different airline, as it is likely that you would find a new ticket on your chosen dates at a much cheaper fare on some other airline.
Good luck, and please return to let us know how this resolves!
However, I should point out that you appear to have totally overlooked the issue of fare difference here, and seem to assume that the amount of 4,300 quoted is predominantly down to the fact that one of the sectors was booked in a non-refundable, non-changeable fare bucket. You can always "buy up" to a more flexible fare bucket to make changes, and that has been included in the amount quoted. Perhaps around 200-300 of the quoted amount would be apportioned to this change to your ticket (change fee). However, the size of the quoted fee means that fares have (greatly) increased since you booked. Even if you had initially booked a fully flexible ticket, you would still now be charged an amount of roughly 4,000 because that is how much the fares have increased since you booked.
The advice to hold off and wait to see if a substantial change happens to your ticket was good advice. I'm not sure, however, that it would automatically allow you to move all dates - for both the inbound and outbound sectors - in the manner that you expect. It would, however, allow you to cancel the ticket without penalty, and get all moneys paid returned to you. Under those circumstances, you may wish to book a new ticket with a different airline, as it is likely that you would find a new ticket on your chosen dates at a much cheaper fare on some other airline.
Good luck, and please return to let us know how this resolves!
Dec 4, 2022 | 5:49 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Scotland - ABZ
Programs: Qantas LTG, BA-Blue, KLM -Gold, SAS - Silver
Posts: 2,073
Thanks for the clear advice.
yes I am assuming now that , if they make a cancellation or substantial change I'll be better to get a refund and book some other route .
yes I am assuming now that , if they make a cancellation or substantial change I'll be better to get a refund and book some other route .
Dec 31, 2022 | 2:29 am
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Scotland - ABZ
Programs: Qantas LTG, BA-Blue, KLM -Gold, SAS - Silver
Posts: 2,073
Well, I am flabbergasted.
I logged onto Flying Blue last week to see what new changes had been made. Nothing much - one of my return flights , KUL-AMS, had been moved back by over an hour.
However, I decided to start claiming refunds for those segments where it seemed (was unclear to me) a refund might be offered.
They auto-approved a complete refund, for the whole trip, and it arrived in my credit card account last night.
In another piece of luck, I have to go to Jakarta on business about the time I wanted to travel to Australia so I'm appending my Aus trip on the back of that and am only up for the cost of CGK-SIN-MEL-SIN personally. (direct CGK - MEL didn't show any attractive options)
I logged onto Flying Blue last week to see what new changes had been made. Nothing much - one of my return flights , KUL-AMS, had been moved back by over an hour.
However, I decided to start claiming refunds for those segments where it seemed (was unclear to me) a refund might be offered.
They auto-approved a complete refund, for the whole trip, and it arrived in my credit card account last night.
In another piece of luck, I have to go to Jakarta on business about the time I wanted to travel to Australia so I'm appending my Aus trip on the back of that and am only up for the cost of CGK-SIN-MEL-SIN personally. (direct CGK - MEL didn't show any attractive options)
Dec 31, 2022 | 8:49 am
#5
Join Date: Jun 2012
Programs: FB, M&S, AA
Posts: 3,619
Guess everybody happy now, including KLM. In May and before they still sold business class tickets to some destinations for rock-bottom prices (I had a 1500 Euro trip to Bogota....). They refunded you what is probably a relatively cheap ticket, and can sell the seat again for the much higher price they can ask apparently now. Glad things worked out well.
Jan 1, 2023 | 6:09 am
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Scotland - ABZ
Programs: Qantas LTG, BA-Blue, KLM -Gold, SAS - Silver
Posts: 2,073
Guess everybody happy now, including KLM. In May and before they still sold business class tickets to some destinations for rock-bottom prices (I had a 1500 Euro trip to Bogota....). They refunded you what is probably a relatively cheap ticket, and can sell the seat again for the much higher price they can ask apparently now. Glad things worked out well.
Yes, that explanation makes sense to me, so it's win/win.
My work business class ticket is Emirates from GLA to CGK, returning to GLA from SIN to make it easier for me to connect up from MEL.