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
Oct 25, 2020, 4:30 am
#2071
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: AMS
Programs: KL PFL; BA Gold; A3 Silver; EY Silver; SU Silver
Posts: 2,488
While clearly not your intention, I fear that your decision to escalate (instead of hanging up and calling back) might negatively impact some of us. When the word "fraud" gets brought up, I worry that this will somehow go to upper revenue management who may flag all of these fares and place a hold/inhibitor to prevent future changes. While I think it's fine to take advantage of a fare, I also think there's a point at which pushing one's luck backfires and causes some serious unintended consequences.
Oct 25, 2020, 8:16 am
#2072
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 390
I'm reading over the posts about "parking" a ticket, but this is new to me, so I want to understand.
My ticket with DL (rebooked once begins next month). PRG-AMS-LAX-HNL five days later HNL-LAX-JFK - five MONTHs later JFK-AMS-PRG.
The PRG-AMS has been canceled or disappeared and honestly, I'm not ready to travel yet (even if we were allowed to enter). so, I'd like to rebook the trip yet again to a later date. I don't mind keeping the exact itinerary.
Assuming all goes well, and DL lets me book the first part of my trip for late 2021, can I "park" the latter part of my trip (JFK-AMS-PRG) to a later time (before 12/31/2022)?
Thanks for your help and clarification.
My ticket with DL (rebooked once begins next month). PRG-AMS-LAX-HNL five days later HNL-LAX-JFK - five MONTHs later JFK-AMS-PRG.
The PRG-AMS has been canceled or disappeared and honestly, I'm not ready to travel yet (even if we were allowed to enter). so, I'd like to rebook the trip yet again to a later date. I don't mind keeping the exact itinerary.
Assuming all goes well, and DL lets me book the first part of my trip for late 2021, can I "park" the latter part of my trip (JFK-AMS-PRG) to a later time (before 12/31/2022)?
Thanks for your help and clarification.
Last edited by katstarr; Oct 25, 2020 at 8:18 am Reason: clarification
Oct 25, 2020, 8:32 am
#2073
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: AMS
Programs: BAEC Silver, Flying Blue Gold, TK M&S Nobody
Posts: 2,474
I'm reading over the posts about "parking" a ticket, but this is new to me, so I want to understand.
My ticket with DL (rebooked once begins next month). PRG-AMS-LAX-HNL five days later HNL-LAX-JFK - five MONTHs later JFK-AMS-PRG.
The PRG-AMS has been canceled or disappeared and honestly, I'm not ready to travel yet (even if we were allowed to enter). so, I'd like to rebook the trip yet again to a later date. I don't mind keeping the exact itinerary.
Assuming all goes well, and DL lets me book the first part of my trip for late 2021, can I "park" the latter part of my trip (JFK-AMS-PRG) to a later time (before 12/31/2022)?
Thanks for your help and clarification.
My ticket with DL (rebooked once begins next month). PRG-AMS-LAX-HNL five days later HNL-LAX-JFK - five MONTHs later JFK-AMS-PRG.
The PRG-AMS has been canceled or disappeared and honestly, I'm not ready to travel yet (even if we were allowed to enter). so, I'd like to rebook the trip yet again to a later date. I don't mind keeping the exact itinerary.
Assuming all goes well, and DL lets me book the first part of my trip for late 2021, can I "park" the latter part of my trip (JFK-AMS-PRG) to a later time (before 12/31/2022)?
Thanks for your help and clarification.
Oct 25, 2020, 9:19 am
#2074
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 337
If I am US based any suggestion should contact KLM or AF now? The ticket does still show KLM flight numbers, even though now it is issued on AF Ticket paper.
Oct 25, 2020, 10:01 am
#2075
Join Date: Jul 2006
Programs: DL DM/MM
Posts: 2,274
This is all to say, I wouldn't worry about it at this point. You can, of course, call KL/AF and see what happens. As I mentioned in an earlier post, please do NOT push your luck with the agents. If you find that an agent isn't cooperative or really helpful, be kind, thank them, hang up, and call back a few hours later (to ensure that you don't get the same agent). You don't want the agent to place notes into your record/PNR, as this will make your life significantly more difficult when more changes/cancellations come up.
Oct 25, 2020, 2:18 pm
#2076
Join Date: Jul 2017
Programs: SE+, OWS
Posts: 373
please do NOT push your luck with the agents. If you find that an agent isn't cooperative or really helpful, be kind, thank them, hang up, and call back a few hours later (to ensure that you don't get the same agent). You don't want the agent to place notes into your record/PNR, as this will make your life significantly more difficult when more changes/cancellations come up.
thanks lol totally agree.
Oct 25, 2020, 10:21 pm
#2077
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 337
Here is a handy guide I’ve found for KL/AF: https://www.worldtrans.vn/webadmin/u...ch/AF%2015.pdf
That PDF Link is: https://www.aviateworld.com/media/30..._21sep20v3.pdf
Also found this, but I don't believe I saw a date when looking. https://www.worldtrans.vn/webadmin/u...ch/AF%2025.pdf.
Though I find the flow chart much more easy to follow vs pages of reading, notes and bullet points!
Oct 27, 2020, 10:25 am
#2078
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: AMS
Programs: BAEC Silver, Flying Blue Gold, TK M&S Nobody
Posts: 2,474
I'm reading over the posts about "parking" a ticket, but this is new to me, so I want to understand.
My ticket with DL (rebooked once begins next month). PRG-AMS-LAX-HNL five days later HNL-LAX-JFK - five MONTHs later JFK-AMS-PRG.
The PRG-AMS has been canceled or disappeared and honestly, I'm not ready to travel yet (even if we were allowed to enter). so, I'd like to rebook the trip yet again to a later date. I don't mind keeping the exact itinerary.
Assuming all goes well, and DL lets me book the first part of my trip for late 2021, can I "park" the latter part of my trip (JFK-AMS-PRG) to a later time (before 12/31/2022)?
Thanks for your help and clarification.
My ticket with DL (rebooked once begins next month). PRG-AMS-LAX-HNL five days later HNL-LAX-JFK - five MONTHs later JFK-AMS-PRG.
The PRG-AMS has been canceled or disappeared and honestly, I'm not ready to travel yet (even if we were allowed to enter). so, I'd like to rebook the trip yet again to a later date. I don't mind keeping the exact itinerary.
Assuming all goes well, and DL lets me book the first part of my trip for late 2021, can I "park" the latter part of my trip (JFK-AMS-PRG) to a later time (before 12/31/2022)?
Thanks for your help and clarification.
As usual though: this whole procedure is being made up as we go, so it might be worth trying one's luck anyway.
EDIT: There's also a Bulletin 6 now, which extends the Cabin to Cabin rebooking to the end of this year - don't suppose that'll help anyone much though, since serious relaxation of the borders looks unlikely anytime soon...
Oct 28, 2020, 9:45 am
#2079
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Manhattan Beach, California
Programs: BMI Diamond Club Gold forever
Posts: 6,367
We had a schedule change now for my Jan 3, 2021 trip (BUD-AMS-SEA now the AMS connection is too short), which I wasnt planning on taking in any event. Still trying to figure out what to do, I have gobs of miles now refunded into accounts so I'm now having doubts that we can even use these tickets but I may still just keep them alive and hope the world returns to normal some time soon...
Mine are DL stock, so I am reading the "class to class" terms of the waiver. I assume this I to I and not that silliness about the specific farebasis code being available?
Mine are DL stock, so I am reading the "class to class" terms of the waiver. I assume this I to I and not that silliness about the specific farebasis code being available?
Oct 28, 2020, 9:48 am
#2080
Join Date: Jul 2017
Programs: SE+, OWS
Posts: 373
if you had any cancellation/schedule change you are free of class to class terms. at least thats what my agent told me.
Oct 29, 2020, 1:26 am
#2081
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: MUC
Programs: TK Elite, FB Gold
Posts: 315
We had a schedule change now for my Jan 3, 2021 trip (BUD-AMS-SEA now the AMS connection is too short), which I wasnt planning on taking in any event. Still trying to figure out what to do, I have gobs of miles now refunded into accounts so I'm now having doubts that we can even use these tickets but I may still just keep them alive and hope the world returns to normal some time soon...
Mine are DL stock, so I am reading the "class to class" terms of the waiver. I assume this I to I and not that silliness about the specific farebasis code being available?
Mine are DL stock, so I am reading the "class to class" terms of the waiver. I assume this I to I and not that silliness about the specific farebasis code being available?
Oct 29, 2020, 11:21 am
#2082
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Netherlands
Posts: 4,282
Hi,
I had a cancellation for my ticket end of this year, called the US KLM line (got the usual Philippines call center). Tried to move it to May (taking into consideration the opening of the borders) but was told I can only move every thing 30 days later. If not there will be a reprice - I thought that the US line was much more easier to deal with reading the different experiences here.
Not sure what next move I should take. Should I just move it all to mid January and after the first segment, make the changes (based on historical pricing?) or HUCA?
Cheers!
I had a cancellation for my ticket end of this year, called the US KLM line (got the usual Philippines call center). Tried to move it to May (taking into consideration the opening of the borders) but was told I can only move every thing 30 days later. If not there will be a reprice - I thought that the US line was much more easier to deal with reading the different experiences here.
Not sure what next move I should take. Should I just move it all to mid January and after the first segment, make the changes (based on historical pricing?) or HUCA?
Cheers!
Oct 29, 2020, 11:30 am
#2083
Join Date: Apr 2020
Posts: 53
Hi,
I had a cancellation for my ticket end of this year, called the US KLM line (got the usual Philippines call center). Tried to move it to May (taking into consideration the opening of the borders) but was told I can only move every thing 30 days later. If not there will be a reprice - I thought that the US line was much more easier to deal with reading the different experiences here.
Not sure what next move I should take. Should I just move it all to mid January and after the first segment, make the changes (based on historical pricing?) or HUCA?
Cheers!
I had a cancellation for my ticket end of this year, called the US KLM line (got the usual Philippines call center). Tried to move it to May (taking into consideration the opening of the borders) but was told I can only move every thing 30 days later. If not there will be a reprice - I thought that the US line was much more easier to deal with reading the different experiences here.
Not sure what next move I should take. Should I just move it all to mid January and after the first segment, make the changes (based on historical pricing?) or HUCA?
Cheers!
I'd also recommend to contact DL via phone and ask for the Joint ventures Global ticketing serves they are probably able to take over the ticket to DL stock which means that you are much more flexible with rebooking. just try.
Another question just came into my mind:
What happens if you do not rebook your ticket (so segments stay cancelled) and you just wait and do nothing...
Given that you could be able to "break" the 30-day rebooking rule...?!
Oct 29, 2020, 3:17 pm
#2085
Join Date: Feb 2012
Programs: Flying Blue Platinum, Le ClubAccor Gold
Posts: 776
I think you should claim the class-to-class rebooking.