DealsBrokeMe

Dear FT Expert,

I have a ORD-FRA-HYD return ticket issued on 23-Jun-09 for travel on 24th June.
This was a last minute booking due to a family emergency in Hyderabad.

Tick Details:
Fare Basis: SHGNC53CH
Class: Economy S Class.
2Adults + 2 Children.

Endorsement Restrictions:
NONRER/LH/UA ONLY/REFUND THROUGH AGENCY
ONLY//REFTHRUAGT/NONEND/NORERTE/VALID UA LH ONLY

The return was booked as 20th July 2009.
However due to the death in family i couldn't travel on 20th and the agent in US was able to remove the return date, thereby making it open.

Now when i am looking for rebooking the return (after the scheduled return date) the agents are telling me this:
1) No seats in S class
2) Only Q and higher class are available.
3) $200 for Adult and $150 for child as Penalty.

I am flexible to return till end August, first week of September, but the upgrade difference + penalty is working upwards of $2500.

Any suggestions to bring the fares down are greatly appreciated.

JOUY31

Welcome to FlyerTalk DealsBrokeMe ,

I am moving this thread to its natural home within the FlyerTalk forum structure, the Lufthansa Miles and More forum. Thanks for your understanding.

Jouy31
TravelBuzz moderator

Rambuster

That's the big problem with these ticket: Theoretically rebookable, but the required fare bucket not available for months.

I see a couple of dates where HYD-FRA is available in S but not the FRA-ORD segment.
I fear you will have no choice but to pay the fare difference and penalty if you want to get home ...

SmilingBoy

I can't check the fare rules - SHGNC53CH was probably not a published fare basis. However, many (but not all) fare rules contain a clause regarding death of immediate family member, in which case you might be able some of the value of the ticket. The clause might read like this:

A. DEATH/ILLNESS PROVISION
--
TICKET MAY BE REFUNDED OR USED TOWARD THE
PURCHASE OF ANOTHER TICKET IF DUE TO
ILLNESS OF PASSENGER OR TRAVELING COMPANION
OR DEATH OF PSGR/IMMEDIATE FAMILY MEMBER/
TRAVELING COMPANION. A VALID DEATH OR
HOSPITAL/MEDICAL CERTIFICATE IS REQUIRED.

You should check with LH whether your fare basis includes such a clause, and if it would be applicable for partially used tickets.

SmilingBoy

15 September appears to be the first date on which there is availability in S on HYD-FRA-ORD. Even then only on a connection with 10 hours layover. On 18 September, there is a connection available in S with a 1 1/4 hour layover.

SmilingBoy

You could also look into buying a new ticket. I found one very quickly for around 100,000 INR (~2,000 USD) for 2 adults plus 2 children (leaving on 1 September on Jet Airways to Mumbai, and then to Chicago on Etihad via Abu Dhabi). Maybe a local travel agent could get a better deal.

Rambuster

...but he needs 4 (!) seats in S inventory. So without revenue management getting involved in this booking I would not be too confident.

SmilingBoy

It showed as S9 on both legs this morning.

DealsBrokeMe

So you mean 9 seats available? On what dates?

DealsBrokeMe

Thanks for a ray of hope here.

Could we try FRA-IAD or FRA-NYC, FRA-PHL, etc. and then add another leg?
Would that work?

NewbieRunner

Yes. See this post.

SmilingBoy

Don't think so, if I read the restrictions you quoted correctly, rerouting is not allowed. This means you will need to fly HYD-FRA-ORD.

As I said, on 15 and 18 September, but nothing earlier.

DealsBrokeMe

Thanks. We are trying this with LH.

DealsBrokeMe

LH staff looked at the documents and waived the rebooking penalty.
Thanks Lufthansa on this.

Now we have to look at fare difference and availabilities.

Another option we have is me and my son travel before school starts in Aug.
My wife and daughter can come in sep.

This might help us in availability instead of 4 together.....

Any ideas?

SK AAR

If you already talked to LH re rebooking fees why didn't you ask about availability at the same time Should be a lot easier for LH to look up S class availablity or dates for other low fare classes...