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
Feb 27, 2021, 9:26 am
#2386
Join Date: May 2020
Posts: 6
You have to look for it as a round trip and the minimum stay is 6 days.
Feb 27, 2021, 12:02 pm
#2388
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: AMS
Programs: KL PFL; BA Gold; A3 Silver; EY Silver; SU Silver
Posts: 2,488
I am still dreaming of a rerouting possibility under historic fares...
Feb 27, 2021, 12:21 pm
#2389
Join Date: Jun 2020
Programs: flyingblue
Posts: 27
Hi,
Booked by DL in march 2020 to travel in oct-dec 2020 : BUD (AMS) CDG JFK - DCA (MSP) LAS LAX CDG (AMS) BUD.
I had succeeded to change my reservation by VIE (Hungarians borders are closed) : VIE (AMS) CDG JFK - DCA (MSP) LAS LAX CDG (AMS) VIE ; I flew my first segment VIE AMS CDG in october 2020.
I had succeeded to change my reservation in november to flying in sept 2021. The ops aren't open to fly in december 2021...
I check with ITA and expert flyer the booking class "I" to change.
Today, by iMessage, i contact DL, after writing with a representative and a Global Ticketing Specialist.
"I have all the flights as outlined for DEC/Jan travel. I have the same First class fare as paid. Delta is waiving change fees currently. I can make the date alteration without charge. Further change, fare difference may apply."
Perfect ! Its so great !
I have a second travel with this cheap price by AF. My flights are reported from sept 2020 to june 2021, maybe with a cancellation i could to change with "I" to report to sept 21 or may 2022...
Have a nice vacation [img]images/smilies/smile.gif[/img]
Booked by DL in march 2020 to travel in oct-dec 2020 : BUD (AMS) CDG JFK - DCA (MSP) LAS LAX CDG (AMS) BUD.
I had succeeded to change my reservation by VIE (Hungarians borders are closed) : VIE (AMS) CDG JFK - DCA (MSP) LAS LAX CDG (AMS) VIE ; I flew my first segment VIE AMS CDG in october 2020.
I had succeeded to change my reservation in november to flying in sept 2021. The ops aren't open to fly in december 2021...
I check with ITA and expert flyer the booking class "I" to change.
Today, by iMessage, i contact DL, after writing with a representative and a Global Ticketing Specialist.
"I have all the flights as outlined for DEC/Jan travel. I have the same First class fare as paid. Delta is waiving change fees currently. I can make the date alteration without charge. Further change, fare difference may apply."
Perfect ! Its so great !
I have a second travel with this cheap price by AF. My flights are reported from sept 2020 to june 2021, maybe with a cancellation i could to change with "I" to report to sept 21 or may 2022...
Have a nice vacation [img]images/smilies/smile.gif[/img]
Feb 28, 2021, 3:08 am
#2391
Join Date: May 2020
Posts: 6
I had the same problem when i tried to rebook my flights. First i thought it was a matrix glitch, so i looked up the availability for each segment of my 4 day trip on EF and than called KL. But they could not rebook me to my desired dates, they could only find I class on trips that are at least 6 days long.
Feb 28, 2021, 3:19 am
#2392
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: AMS
Programs: BAEC Silver, Flying Blue Gold, TK M&S Nobody
Posts: 2,481
I had the same problem when i tried to rebook my flights. First i thought it was a matrix glitch, so i looked up the availability for each segment of my 4 day trip on EF and than called KL. But they could not rebook me to my desired dates, they could only find I class on trips that are at least 6 days long.
The other thing I'm unsure on is what point of sale they will be using when rebooking - availability can be quite different.
Feb 28, 2021, 1:06 pm
#2393
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: LAX/SFO
Programs: Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold, Fortune Wings Club Gold
Posts: 358
Cancelled one of my trips. Originally agent said nonrefundable and can only get e-Credit. I fed them the original fare code in wiki and original ticket number, and they got it refunded properly.
Feb 28, 2021, 11:42 pm
#2394
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: AMS
Programs: KL PFL; BA Gold; A3 Silver; EY Silver; SU Silver
Posts: 2,488
I don't think searching as round trip makes any difference - but you can't search flight by flight as married segment availability is used. It's a pain!
The other thing I'm unsure on is what point of sale they will be using when rebooking - availability can be quite different.
The other thing I'm unsure on is what point of sale they will be using when rebooking - availability can be quite different.
Mar 1, 2021, 6:37 am
#2395
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: AMS
Programs: BAEC Silver, Flying Blue Gold, TK M&S Nobody
Posts: 2,481
Point of origin matters for many airlines (ie EK, QR, AF for sure) rather than the POS, however, I do not know how this is applied by DL. Second point i am not sure about is how this works if you try to rebook you trip while in a stopover point (in case DL applied point of origin discrimination).
Mar 1, 2021, 8:23 am
#2396
Join Date: Mar 2018
Programs: DL DM, FB Gold
Posts: 296
I was lucky that DL changed my tickets to whatever dates and flights I wanted in the past (provided there was a cancellation).
With my last DL ticket I hit a huge roadblock. Flights cancelled for end of March, want to rebook to September. I tried this several times but agents always tried booking me on Delta-operated flights transatlantic. They were not prepared to give me the flights of my choice (e.g. AF operated or VS operated e.g. BUD-AMS-LHR-LAX).
I mentioned the EU rules to representatives on both chat and Diamond line
but they just told me "No" (despite my current flights not being DL-operated).
The trouble now is that multiple agents seem to have left notes saying that my request was denied. This is something I have not encountered before and is infuriating as it contradicts the 3rd point of the aforementioned EU rule.
I guess the only chance is to rebook to DL metal flights in September and then hope that the annotations are removed with the new reissued ticket.
Any thoughts or insights on this?
With my last DL ticket I hit a huge roadblock. Flights cancelled for end of March, want to rebook to September. I tried this several times but agents always tried booking me on Delta-operated flights transatlantic. They were not prepared to give me the flights of my choice (e.g. AF operated or VS operated e.g. BUD-AMS-LHR-LAX).
I mentioned the EU rules to representatives on both chat and Diamond line
The airline must offer you, on a one off basis, a choice between:
1 the reimbursement of your ticket and, if you have a connecting flight, a return flight to the airport of departure at the earliest opportunity
2 re-routing to your final destination at the earliest opportunity or,
3 re-routing at a later date at your convenience under comparable transport conditions, subject to the availability of seats.
1 the reimbursement of your ticket and, if you have a connecting flight, a return flight to the airport of departure at the earliest opportunity
2 re-routing to your final destination at the earliest opportunity or,
3 re-routing at a later date at your convenience under comparable transport conditions, subject to the availability of seats.
The trouble now is that multiple agents seem to have left notes saying that my request was denied. This is something I have not encountered before and is infuriating as it contradicts the 3rd point of the aforementioned EU rule.
I guess the only chance is to rebook to DL metal flights in September and then hope that the annotations are removed with the new reissued ticket.
Any thoughts or insights on this?
Mar 1, 2021, 4:31 pm
#2397
Join Date: Nov 2016
Programs: Nectar Card
Posts: 1,093
I was lucky that DL changed my tickets to whatever dates and flights I wanted in the past (provided there was a cancellation).
With my last DL ticket I hit a huge roadblock. Flights cancelled for end of March, want to rebook to September. I tried this several times but agents always tried booking me on Delta-operated flights transatlantic. They were not prepared to give me the flights of my choice (e.g. AF operated or VS operated e.g. BUD-AMS-LHR-LAX).
I mentioned the EU rules to representatives on both chat and Diamond line
but they just told me "No" (despite my current flights not being DL-operated).
The trouble now is that multiple agents seem to have left notes saying that my request was denied. This is something I have not encountered before and is infuriating as it contradicts the 3rd point of the aforementioned EU rule.
I guess the only chance is to rebook to DL metal flights in September and then hope that the annotations are removed with the new reissued ticket.
Any thoughts or insights on this?
With my last DL ticket I hit a huge roadblock. Flights cancelled for end of March, want to rebook to September. I tried this several times but agents always tried booking me on Delta-operated flights transatlantic. They were not prepared to give me the flights of my choice (e.g. AF operated or VS operated e.g. BUD-AMS-LHR-LAX).
I mentioned the EU rules to representatives on both chat and Diamond line
but they just told me "No" (despite my current flights not being DL-operated).
The trouble now is that multiple agents seem to have left notes saying that my request was denied. This is something I have not encountered before and is infuriating as it contradicts the 3rd point of the aforementioned EU rule.
I guess the only chance is to rebook to DL metal flights in September and then hope that the annotations are removed with the new reissued ticket.
Any thoughts or insights on this?
Furthermore, if these EU rules have the force of law(?), perhaps you could write a short email or letter to some higher-office of customer service, outlining the situation. Depends how far you want to go with this.
Mar 1, 2021, 4:34 pm
#2398
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: 4,516
Are these non-EU based agents perhaps? If so, my thought is maybe they aren't as familiar with these EU rules, particularly if they aren't experienced with EU-origin tickets (or experienced in general), and in turn, these rules.
Furthermore, if these EU rules have the force of law(?), perhaps you could write a short email or letter to some higher-office of customer service, outlining the situation. Depends how far you want to go with this.
Furthermore, if these EU rules have the force of law(?), perhaps you could write a short email or letter to some higher-office of customer service, outlining the situation. Depends how far you want to go with this.
Mar 1, 2021, 7:21 pm
#2399
Join Date: Aug 2020
Posts: 829
I was lucky that DL changed my tickets to whatever dates and flights I wanted in the past (provided there was a cancellation).
With my last DL ticket I hit a huge roadblock. Flights cancelled for end of March, want to rebook to September. I tried this several times but agents always tried booking me on Delta-operated flights transatlantic. They were not prepared to give me the flights of my choice (e.g. AF operated or VS operated e.g. BUD-AMS-LHR-LAX).
I mentioned the EU rules to representatives on both chat and Diamond line
but they just told me "No" (despite my current flights not being DL-operated).
The trouble now is that multiple agents seem to have left notes saying that my request was denied. This is something I have not encountered before and is infuriating as it contradicts the 3rd point of the aforementioned EU rule.
I guess the only chance is to rebook to DL metal flights in September and then hope that the annotations are removed with the new reissued ticket.
Any thoughts or insights on this?
With my last DL ticket I hit a huge roadblock. Flights cancelled for end of March, want to rebook to September. I tried this several times but agents always tried booking me on Delta-operated flights transatlantic. They were not prepared to give me the flights of my choice (e.g. AF operated or VS operated e.g. BUD-AMS-LHR-LAX).
I mentioned the EU rules to representatives on both chat and Diamond line
but they just told me "No" (despite my current flights not being DL-operated).
The trouble now is that multiple agents seem to have left notes saying that my request was denied. This is something I have not encountered before and is infuriating as it contradicts the 3rd point of the aforementioned EU rule.
I guess the only chance is to rebook to DL metal flights in September and then hope that the annotations are removed with the new reissued ticket.
Any thoughts or insights on this?
Mar 2, 2021, 2:51 pm
#2400
Join Date: Jan 2006
Programs: AA Exp
Posts: 836
As far as I am aware, Delta has been much more flexible in allowing rebookings than AF and KL. They have been really nice to me when I had to rebook twice. They could also just have cancelled the 'sale' tickets altogether and they didn't. You may think Delta is 'scummy' and 'disgusting', but I strongly disagree.