Mar 15, 2020, 10:29 am
Last edit by: Maestro Ramen
FARE RULES:
I pulled down the DL fare rules (these are BUD-SEA but they all appeared nearly identical). I posted them on a share. We can easily grab the AF and KL variants if others need those.
Q: This is a fully flexible fare with free changes. Does that mean I can change the flight dates as I want without paying anything extra?
A: No. The airline simply doesn't charge a change fee. But depending on the fare rules, you will still need to pay the difference to the new price.
Q: But I read that some people could change their flights for free...?
A: The rules for this fare (linked to above) specify that historical pricing shall be used if either at least one flight from the ticket has been taken or the outbound remains the same. In other words, in order to be able to change your flights for free, you must have flown at least one flight from your booking. Otherwise, you can only change the inbound. The outbound has to remain the same or you will be charged the fare difference.
Q: Can I change the rest of the itinerary after flying the first segment without any other charges or additional fare differences?
A: Yes this is possible according to the fare rules where after completing the first segment, you can change the rest of the flights for free (with the condition that the same fare class is available- I-class - in this case. According to the fare rules, after flying the FIRST segment (in the case here BUD-XXX) the historical fare is used. Possible to use the first stopover at AMS or CDG (see post #830).
Q: But some people could change their outbound flights for free!
A: They got lucky. It was probably a bug on the website/in the app. When no flight from the ticket has been flown, the fare rules do not allow changing the outbound without repricing.
Q: Ok, ok, so I can only change the inbound for free. How do I do that?
A: You search for availability for alternative flights on ITA Matrix using "F ..I2FFHU" in the extension codes. You must search for round trip flights as this is a round trip fare. Then you ignore the outbound result (as long as you haven't flown at least one flight from your ticket) and just try to rebook your inbound on the website/app.
Q: I have found availability on ITA Matrix, but the app/website doesn't show me those flights!
A: Keep trying. Sometimes you may have to serach in a different way (split up the searches, e.g. HNL-LAX and LAX-BUD), sometimes you just have to repeat the search several times. But that's no guarantee the desired results will turn up (and without repricing).
Q: It doesn't work. Can I just call the airline to make the changes?
A: Please don't unless you need to. Calling can increase the risk for all of us that they'll change their mind and disallow all further changes, or simply cancel everyone's tickets. However, as this fare has now been running for months and has seen many calls made about it, it is reasonable to expect that calling will not cause issues at this stage. As best practice, avoid attracting attention on the low price paid, and avoid making additional demands or tempting your luck. Remember you get to fly a J ticket for the cost of a Y fare.
Q: How many times can I make changes?
A: In theory, as often as you like, but you can't make more than two changes online/in the app. After that, you'd have to call, which we are trying to avoid.
Q: I've changed my mind. Can I get a refund?
A: Yes, the fare was fully refundable. Just contact the airline or fill out a refund form online.
Q: Due to Coronavirus, I need to extend my travel plan beyond the original expiry date. What can I do?
A: For Delta tickets (starting with 006) you can travel at any point until December 2022. Changes to flights within a 10 month window can be done at any point on the app, following the rules above. If you want to fly later than 10 months from now, you can call Delta and ask them to "park" your ticket. You will receive a ticket number that ties to an eCredit which can be used later to buy tickets. As long as you keep the original itinerary, or if you have flown at least a segment, you will not be charged a fare difference. Bear in mind that the eCredit may only be refundable if your original flight was cancelled (which is very likely in those day and times). Note that only Delta in the US are able to do this so do not call the EU numbers (use Skype to save money on international calls). According to user feedback: iMessage agents seem to also be able to do this, but twitter agents not.
I pulled down the DL fare rules (these are BUD-SEA but they all appeared nearly identical). I posted them on a share. We can easily grab the AF and KL variants if others need those.
Q: This is a fully flexible fare with free changes. Does that mean I can change the flight dates as I want without paying anything extra?
A: No. The airline simply doesn't charge a change fee. But depending on the fare rules, you will still need to pay the difference to the new price.
Q: But I read that some people could change their flights for free...?
A: The rules for this fare (linked to above) specify that historical pricing shall be used if either at least one flight from the ticket has been taken or the outbound remains the same. In other words, in order to be able to change your flights for free, you must have flown at least one flight from your booking. Otherwise, you can only change the inbound. The outbound has to remain the same or you will be charged the fare difference.
Q: Can I change the rest of the itinerary after flying the first segment without any other charges or additional fare differences?
A: Yes this is possible according to the fare rules where after completing the first segment, you can change the rest of the flights for free (with the condition that the same fare class is available- I-class - in this case. According to the fare rules, after flying the FIRST segment (in the case here BUD-XXX) the historical fare is used. Possible to use the first stopover at AMS or CDG (see post #830).
Q: But some people could change their outbound flights for free!
A: They got lucky. It was probably a bug on the website/in the app. When no flight from the ticket has been flown, the fare rules do not allow changing the outbound without repricing.
Q: Ok, ok, so I can only change the inbound for free. How do I do that?
A: You search for availability for alternative flights on ITA Matrix using "F ..I2FFHU" in the extension codes. You must search for round trip flights as this is a round trip fare. Then you ignore the outbound result (as long as you haven't flown at least one flight from your ticket) and just try to rebook your inbound on the website/app.
Q: I have found availability on ITA Matrix, but the app/website doesn't show me those flights!
A: Keep trying. Sometimes you may have to serach in a different way (split up the searches, e.g. HNL-LAX and LAX-BUD), sometimes you just have to repeat the search several times. But that's no guarantee the desired results will turn up (and without repricing).
Q: It doesn't work. Can I just call the airline to make the changes?
A: Please don't unless you need to. Calling can increase the risk for all of us that they'll change their mind and disallow all further changes, or simply cancel everyone's tickets. However, as this fare has now been running for months and has seen many calls made about it, it is reasonable to expect that calling will not cause issues at this stage. As best practice, avoid attracting attention on the low price paid, and avoid making additional demands or tempting your luck. Remember you get to fly a J ticket for the cost of a Y fare.
Q: How many times can I make changes?
A: In theory, as often as you like, but you can't make more than two changes online/in the app. After that, you'd have to call, which we are trying to avoid.
Q: I've changed my mind. Can I get a refund?
A: Yes, the fare was fully refundable. Just contact the airline or fill out a refund form online.
Q: Due to Coronavirus, I need to extend my travel plan beyond the original expiry date. What can I do?
A: For Delta tickets (starting with 006) you can travel at any point until December 2022. Changes to flights within a 10 month window can be done at any point on the app, following the rules above. If you want to fly later than 10 months from now, you can call Delta and ask them to "park" your ticket. You will receive a ticket number that ties to an eCredit which can be used later to buy tickets. As long as you keep the original itinerary, or if you have flown at least a segment, you will not be charged a fare difference. Bear in mind that the eCredit may only be refundable if your original flight was cancelled (which is very likely in those day and times). Note that only Delta in the US are able to do this so do not call the EU numbers (use Skype to save money on international calls). According to user feedback: iMessage agents seem to also be able to do this, but twitter agents not.
{prem fare gone}: AF/KL/DL/VS: BUD-US from $750 R/T
Jun 26, 2020, 7:30 am
#1516
Join Date: Jan 2020
Programs: Hilton Honors Diamond, Delta SkyMiles Platinum
Posts: 44
Just to update. I called the Delta Platinum line and I was able to change my Delta issued September itinerary to April at no additional cost all within I class and past the original one-year deadline of the ticket.
The agent had a hard time finding I class availability but called a supervisor and was able to force I class availability on Delta metal with Delta coded flights to the dates I wanted.
Awesome service from Delta as usual.
The agent had a hard time finding I class availability but called a supervisor and was able to force I class availability on Delta metal with Delta coded flights to the dates I wanted.
Awesome service from Delta as usual.
Jun 26, 2020, 9:09 am
#1519
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PlatMM, BA and Alaska Emerald, HHonors DIA, Accor, Marriott Titanium, IHG Plat Amb, UA Silver, AA
Posts: 4,515
Just to update. I called the Delta Platinum line and I was able to change my Delta issued September itinerary to April at no additional cost all within I class and past the original one-year deadline of the ticket.
The agent had a hard time finding I class availability but called a supervisor and was able to force I class availability on Delta metal with Delta coded flights to the dates I wanted.
Awesome service from Delta as usual.
The agent had a hard time finding I class availability but called a supervisor and was able to force I class availability on Delta metal with Delta coded flights to the dates I wanted.
Awesome service from Delta as usual.
I've also got a DL-issued ticket with at least 2 cancelled flights, for late July which won't be happening.
Seems that half of the people here have had your experience, but half had an agent forcing a reprice to $$$$.
Is there any common thread between the people who have been successful in changing to begin travel AFTER Sept. 30th?
It seems like it's just luck of the draw.... was it just a HUCA situation? Or did people have to explain that the fare is changeable, refundable, fully flex or something?
Thanks all.
Jun 26, 2020, 9:15 am
#1520
Join Date: Jan 2020
Programs: Hilton Honors Diamond, Delta SkyMiles Platinum
Posts: 44
Congratulations on that. Could you please share the routing you were able to change to?
I've also got a DL-issued ticket with at least 2 cancelled flights, for late July which won't be happening.
Seems that half of the people here have had your experience, but half had an agent forcing a reprice to $$$$.
Is there any common thread between the people who have been successful in changing to begin travel AFTER Sept. 30th?
It seems like it's just luck of the draw.... was it just a HUCA situation? Or did people have to explain that the fare is changeable, refundable, fully flex or something?
Thanks all.
I've also got a DL-issued ticket with at least 2 cancelled flights, for late July which won't be happening.
Seems that half of the people here have had your experience, but half had an agent forcing a reprice to $$$$.
Is there any common thread between the people who have been successful in changing to begin travel AFTER Sept. 30th?
It seems like it's just luck of the draw.... was it just a HUCA situation? Or did people have to explain that the fare is changeable, refundable, fully flex or something?
Thanks all.
This time around the ticket was issued using the following policy:
If new travel originates October 1, 2020 through September 30, 2022, rebook permitted in same class of service as originally ticketed. (class to class).
- Fare differences and change fee will be waived provided all travel is complete and ticket is reissued on/before September 30, 2022. In addition, PNR must be documented with OSI (where required by GDS) and the applicable waiver code used and documented on ticket.
The agent said that the only way to avoid the reprice is to stay at the same exact itinerary and booking class - no extra stops, no changes to the connecting airports.
Jun 26, 2020, 9:17 am
#1521
Join Date: Jan 2020
Programs: Hilton Honors Diamond, Delta SkyMiles Platinum
Posts: 44
Congratulations on that. Could you please share the routing you were able to change to?
I've also got a DL-issued ticket with at least 2 cancelled flights, for late July which won't be happening.
Seems that half of the people here have had your experience, but half had an agent forcing a reprice to $$$$.
Is there any common thread between the people who have been successful in changing to begin travel AFTER Sept. 30th?
It seems like it's just luck of the draw.... was it just a HUCA situation? Or did people have to explain that the fare is changeable, refundable, fully flex or something?
Thanks all.
I've also got a DL-issued ticket with at least 2 cancelled flights, for late July which won't be happening.
Seems that half of the people here have had your experience, but half had an agent forcing a reprice to $$$$.
Is there any common thread between the people who have been successful in changing to begin travel AFTER Sept. 30th?
It seems like it's just luck of the draw.... was it just a HUCA situation? Or did people have to explain that the fare is changeable, refundable, fully flex or something?
Thanks all.
Jun 26, 2020, 9:21 am
#1522
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: AMS
Programs: BAEC Silver, Flying Blue Gold, TK M&S Nobody
Posts: 2,472
I originally rebooked my flight a couple of months ago and just got lucky then.
This time around the ticket was issued using the following policy:
[SNIP]
This time around the ticket was issued using the following policy:
[SNIP]
Jun 26, 2020, 9:21 am
#1523
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PlatMM, BA and Alaska Emerald, HHonors DIA, Accor, Marriott Titanium, IHG Plat Amb, UA Silver, AA
Posts: 4,515
Jun 26, 2020, 10:08 am
#1524
Join Date: Jan 2020
Programs: Hilton Honors Diamond, Delta SkyMiles Platinum
Posts: 44
I actually spoon-fed the agent, first the flight numbers, then politely noted that I class is needed for it not to be repriced, then I explained how the covid19 rebooking should be handled on Delta's end.
Jun 26, 2020, 10:09 am
#1525
Join Date: Jan 2020
Programs: Hilton Honors Diamond, Delta SkyMiles Platinum
Posts: 44
Jun 26, 2020, 1:16 pm
#1526
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: AMS
Programs: Flying Blue - Platinum
Posts: 81
Another reference point; managed to call KLM to postpone my HNL July ticket to February. Hard time to find I class availability, so have expertflyer ready. Some flights didn't have I class availability on KL codeshares but did on DL numbers, so I now have my domestic Delta flights on DL codes, all on KLM stock. KLM seems to have very limited I class availability, but when you pull up the seat map.. there are 0 seats taken.
New route is BUD-CDG-LAX-HNL with LAX-HNL in I class instead of the originally issued D class. There was no repricing.
On the way back through SEA and CDG with original booking classes
New route is BUD-CDG-LAX-HNL with LAX-HNL in I class instead of the originally issued D class. There was no repricing.
On the way back through SEA and CDG with original booking classes
Jun 26, 2020, 5:49 pm
#1527
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 244
There was a second schedule change to my return flight in February and I was able to ask DL to move it to May without any issue.
I switched from a DL flight to a KLM flight. There was I class available on my flight according to ExpertFlyer, however my new itinerary is now showing J class. I thought that was interesting.
I switched from a DL flight to a KLM flight. There was I class available on my flight according to ExpertFlyer, however my new itinerary is now showing J class. I thought that was interesting.
Jun 27, 2020, 12:29 am
#1528
Join Date: Jan 2020
Programs: Hilton Honors Diamond, Delta SkyMiles Platinum
Posts: 44
There was a second schedule change to my return flight in February and I was able to ask DL to move it to May without any issue.
I switched from a DL flight to a KLM flight. There was I class available on my flight according to ExpertFlyer, however my new itinerary is now showing J class. I thought that was interesting.
I switched from a DL flight to a KLM flight. There was I class available on my flight according to ExpertFlyer, however my new itinerary is now showing J class. I thought that was interesting.
Jun 27, 2020, 5:58 am
#1530
Join Date: Jan 2020
Programs: Hilton Honors Diamond, Delta SkyMiles Platinum
Posts: 44
If it was ticketed on AF/KL ticket stock and during the booking process it was tied to a BLUEBIZ account then name changes should be free of charge under the BLUEBIZ program benefits (I class is eligible for free name changes).
I wonder if it's possible to insert a BLUEBIZ number after the booking was issued and still enjoy this benefit.
AFAIK it should only work on AF/KL ticket stock and not DL 006.
I wonder if it's possible to insert a BLUEBIZ number after the booking was issued and still enjoy this benefit.
AFAIK it should only work on AF/KL ticket stock and not DL 006.