How does LH calculate fare difference for a flight change?
Apr 6, 2022, 9:57 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: South Yorkshire, UK
Programs: A3*G, LH FTL, VS Red, Avis Preferred, Hertz President's Circle, (RIP Diamond Club)
Posts: 2,364
How does LH calculate fare difference for a flight change?
I booked a return fare BHX-FRA-BRE in S class and flew out OK. I finished work a bit early so went into BRE to ask about changing my flight to do the return leg tonight instead of tomorrow. I get that LH charges the fare difference and a fee, but I was quote EUR220 to move my flight up by one day. I can't justify that so I'm happily sat with a steak and a beer while I do my emails.
I did look up fares on the LH website and the one way fare for same day BRE-FRA-BHX is predictably high (EUR850 or so), but since my booking is a return I looked up a return fare BRE-FRA-BHX leaving today and returning a week hence and that came in at EUR230, and this is what baffles me. How did LH come up with a fee of EUR220 when a new ticket with two additional legs only costs EUR10 more than that?
This isn't a complaint, BTW. I am more than happy to have a day of peace and quiet in a hotel room instead of the raging cacophony that is my kids on Easter holiday. I just don't get the pricing structure.
I did look up fares on the LH website and the one way fare for same day BRE-FRA-BHX is predictably high (EUR850 or so), but since my booking is a return I looked up a return fare BRE-FRA-BHX leaving today and returning a week hence and that came in at EUR230, and this is what baffles me. How did LH come up with a fee of EUR220 when a new ticket with two additional legs only costs EUR10 more than that?
This isn't a complaint, BTW. I am more than happy to have a day of peace and quiet in a hotel room instead of the raging cacophony that is my kids on Easter holiday. I just don't get the pricing structure.
Apr 6, 2022, 10:28 am
#3
Original Poster
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Location: South Yorkshire, UK
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Posts: 2,364
Apr 6, 2022, 10:35 am
#4
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Apr 6, 2022, 11:16 am
#5
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: USA, France
Programs: LH HON*****, AF/KL Gold; HHilton Diamond; Marriott Gold; IHG Platinium; Avis PresClub
Posts: 934
No. You most probably were not upgraded to a full fare Y. That would have been much more expensive. You probably were booked into H or M. You can check out on you eteix receipt. It should be updated, as a new etix should have been issued reflecting the changed return date.
Apr 6, 2022, 11:27 am
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: South Yorkshire, UK
Programs: A3*G, LH FTL, VS Red, Avis Preferred, Hertz President's Circle, (RIP Diamond Club)
Posts: 2,364
No. You most probably were not upgraded to a full fare Y. That would have been much more expensive. You probably were booked into H or M. You can check out on you eteix receipt. It should be updated, as a new etix should have been issued reflecting the changed return date.
Apr 6, 2022, 11:56 am
#10
Original Poster
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Location: South Yorkshire, UK
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Posts: 2,364
Apr 7, 2022, 5:51 am
#11
Join Date: Aug 2016
Programs: LH SEN
Posts: 78
If it was an Eco Classic fare, the pure fare difference is calculated, if it was Eco Light it's a 35€ change fee plus the fare difference. Usually it books into the lowest available booking class which is open on both segments (e.g. if S is open on BRE-FRA, but only M is open on FRA-BHX, both will book into M), which so close to departure may very well have been M as other posters have said.