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 24, 2021, 1:15 pm
#2611
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: AMS
Programs: BAEC Silver, Flying Blue Gold, TK M&S Nobody
Posts: 2,471
Likely there aren’t any I-class one way fares filed - they’re often only in the top two buckets (on oneworld, at least). That would be why ITA couldn’t get them for you.
Jun 24, 2021, 3:51 pm
#2612
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 119
Unfortunately I don't know the answer. Since I was arriving from a Schengen country, even with the current border restrictions in place, there wasn't any immigration passport control, only the document checks I described. I don't know what the non-Schengen to Schengen setup is at BUD, but in a typical setup, passport control would be before baggage claim, so you'd technically have to enter the country to pick up any checked luggage. I was actually worried about the gate check scenario as well and was just planning to plead my case with the gate agent in case they were going to force me to gate check, saying that I would not be allowed to enter the country to claim my bag. Fortunately it didn't come to that. For what it's worth, it seems there wouldn't have been any additional document checks if I had gone through the automatic one-way doors out through baggage claim and arrivals, one of the gate agents I talked to said I could have gone out there to go to the check-in counter to get my boarding passes there and then go back through security into the departure area. But even if there aren't any document checks, I'm not sure if that'd still be a "transit" even in the Schengen-to-Schengen case.
Jun 24, 2021, 11:54 pm
#2613
Join Date: Feb 2012
Programs: Flying Blue Platinum, Le ClubAccor Gold
Posts: 776
https://mauinow.com/2021/06/24/break...5-mjbuNVQapFgM
Beginning July 8:
So for us, fellow EU passport holder, I think we should forget to use these tickets during the summer and be lucky :
- to move them another 3-6 months if we can
- keep it “parked” for 2022 when we have a clearer vision. Reminder: any DL parked ticket is valid until December 31st 2022 so plenty of time and no hurry to rebook.
For AF/KL tickets, the best trick seems to be lucky and to have a nice agent.
BREAKING: Hawaiʻi Eases Travel and Gathering Guidelines on July 8 as Vaccination Rate Nears 60%
Hawaiʻi is expected to reach a 60% fully vaccinated rate by July 8, which will result in relaxed rules relating to travel.Beginning July 8:
- Hawaiʻi will accept vaccination records from other states and US territories to bypass quarantine/pre-travel testing.
So for us, fellow EU passport holder, I think we should forget to use these tickets during the summer and be lucky :
- to move them another 3-6 months if we can
- keep it “parked” for 2022 when we have a clearer vision. Reminder: any DL parked ticket is valid until December 31st 2022 so plenty of time and no hurry to rebook.
For AF/KL tickets, the best trick seems to be lucky and to have a nice agent.
Jun 25, 2021, 12:06 am
#2614
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 28
https://mauinow.com/2021/06/24/break...5-mjbuNVQapFgM
Beginning July 8:
So for us, fellow EU passport holder, I think we should forget to use these tickets during the summer and be lucky :
- to move them another 3-6 months if we can
- keep it “parked” for 2022 when we have a clearer vision. Reminder: any DL parked ticket is valid until December 31st 2022 so plenty of time and no hurry to rebook.
For AF/KL tickets, the best trick seems to be lucky and to have a nice agent.
BREAKING: Hawaiʻi Eases Travel and Gathering Guidelines on July 8 as Vaccination Rate Nears 60%
Hawaiʻi is expected to reach a 60% fully vaccinated rate by July 8, which will result in relaxed rules relating to travel.Beginning July 8:
- Hawaiʻi will accept vaccination records from other states and US territories to bypass quarantine/pre-travel testing.
So for us, fellow EU passport holder, I think we should forget to use these tickets during the summer and be lucky :
- to move them another 3-6 months if we can
- keep it “parked” for 2022 when we have a clearer vision. Reminder: any DL parked ticket is valid until December 31st 2022 so plenty of time and no hurry to rebook.
For AF/KL tickets, the best trick seems to be lucky and to have a nice agent.
Jun 25, 2021, 12:25 am
#2615
Join Date: Aug 2020
Posts: 33
If I put the whole itinerary to the matrix, there is absolutely no I availability. How should I split the route to find them?
Jun 25, 2021, 1:20 am
#2616
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: DUS
Posts: 318
Thanks for sharing your experience! I'm planning on arriving BUD in the evening, sleeping overnight in the terminal, and then leave the next morning. It's been quite awhile since I've been to BUD. In terms of layout, in order to access baggage claim, do you have to officially "enter" Hungary? I don't intend to check any bags, but I also know that European gate agents are much more strict about size of carry-on luggage compared to US gate agents. (I also recognize that what's permitted as carryon is different in the US compared to Europe.) In the off chance that I'm forced to gate check my bag (which is a standard TUMI rollaboard that I take onboard in the US), will I be able to claim my suitcase in BUD but still be considered a "transit" passenger?
Jun 25, 2021, 12:59 pm
#2617
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: NYC
Posts: 117
Example. BUD-CDG one way, CDG-ATL roundtrip (but only to find the one way segment), ATL-LAS one way, LAS-LAX one way, LAX-JFK one way, JFK-AMS roundtrip (but only to find the one way segment), and lastly AMS-BUD one way.
Jun 25, 2021, 2:37 pm
#2618
Join Date: Aug 2020
Posts: 33
It can be a tedious process, but I searched individual segments to create my full itinerary.
Example. BUD-CDG one way, CDG-ATL roundtrip (but only to find the one way segment), ATL-LAS one way, LAS-LAX one way, LAX-JFK one way, JFK-AMS roundtrip (but only to find the one way segment), and lastly AMS-BUD one way.
Example. BUD-CDG one way, CDG-ATL roundtrip (but only to find the one way segment), ATL-LAS one way, LAS-LAX one way, LAX-JFK one way, JFK-AMS roundtrip (but only to find the one way segment), and lastly AMS-BUD one way.
Jun 26, 2021, 5:36 am
#2619
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: Hilton Honors Gold, Marriott Gold, BA Silver, Hertz President's Club
Posts: 484
I'm in a bit of a pickle here.
I unparked my ticket a few months back for travel for my first flight from BUD to AMS on Monday (!). I'm currently in Amsterdam at the moment but I'm weighing up my options. Delta don't want to change my flights without a huge fare difference
1. Get myself to Budapest for Sunday to depart on Monday. Minimal cost but maximum faff; would rather not go down this route unless absolutely necessary.
2. Is there someone I can call (AF/KL via Delta Europe) that could help?
Follow on question from point 1: any recent stories of changing without fare difference after first departure?
Thanks in advance.
I unparked my ticket a few months back for travel for my first flight from BUD to AMS on Monday (!). I'm currently in Amsterdam at the moment but I'm weighing up my options. Delta don't want to change my flights without a huge fare difference
1. Get myself to Budapest for Sunday to depart on Monday. Minimal cost but maximum faff; would rather not go down this route unless absolutely necessary.
2. Is there someone I can call (AF/KL via Delta Europe) that could help?
Follow on question from point 1: any recent stories of changing without fare difference after first departure?
Thanks in advance.
Jun 26, 2021, 5:37 am
#2620
Join Date: Jul 2017
Programs: SE+, OWS
Posts: 372
I'm in a bit of a pickle here.
I unparked my ticket a few months back for travel for my first flight from BUD to AMS on Monday (!). I'm currently in Amsterdam at the moment but I'm weighing up my options. Delta don't want to change my flights without a huge fare difference
1. Get myself to Budapest for Sunday to depart on Monday. Minimal cost but maximum faff; would rather not go down this route unless absolutely necessary.
2. Is there someone I can call (AF/KL via Delta Europe) that could help?
Follow on question from point 1: any recent stories of changing without fare difference after first departure?
Thanks in advance.
I unparked my ticket a few months back for travel for my first flight from BUD to AMS on Monday (!). I'm currently in Amsterdam at the moment but I'm weighing up my options. Delta don't want to change my flights without a huge fare difference
1. Get myself to Budapest for Sunday to depart on Monday. Minimal cost but maximum faff; would rather not go down this route unless absolutely necessary.
2. Is there someone I can call (AF/KL via Delta Europe) that could help?
Follow on question from point 1: any recent stories of changing without fare difference after first departure?
Thanks in advance.
Jun 26, 2021, 9:11 am
#2621
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: NYC
Posts: 117
is it a mileage earning change and/or customer service change?
Jun 26, 2021, 9:59 am
#2622
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: RDU
Posts: 713
This was for an AF ticket originally booked through Priceline. Earlier this year, it was reissued by AF directly after some cancellations, and then reissued by AF once more in April with the first leg from BUD to my stopover point in the US this past Monday.
I flew this leg from BUD to my US stopover point last Monday and then on Tuesday called AF to move the remaining three legs (stopover point - Hawaii - stopover point - BUD). Mirroring the experience I had when doing the COVID-cancellation-policy rebookings with AF earlier this year, they had a hard time with the domestic US legs (stopover point - Hawaii - stopover point). After much searching, the agent put something together for December, but said he couldn't ticket it but would have to send it to the back office for review and ticketing, and that it'd take 2-3 days to hear back. Checking online, it seemed he didn't pick "I" segments (though they should have been available), I wasn't too hopeful it'd work.
Since the currently ticketed date for the next leg was late next week, I was getting nervous after not hearing back for a few days and called back yesterday. The AF agent said the back office had left a note that they couldn't make the change due do the flights for the next two legs being domestic (?) and to call the original travel agent to make these changes. So I called Priceline, but after looking at it, they said that since AF had taken over the ticket earlier this year, they had control over it and Priceline could no longer touch it. They said I'd have to work with AF to make the change.
At that point, I thought I'd take my chances with DL given that most remaining flights are DL operated. Following the suggestions on the DL board given the current insane wait times for US reservations, I called the Singapore line and ended up with an extremely helpful and competent agent. She initially said that since it's an AF ticket, she couldn't help, but after I told her about what I had tried already and how I had not gotten anywhere with AF, she said she'd talk to an alliance specialist to see what they could do, specifically whether they might be able to take over the ticket. After some hold time, she came back and said they agreed to take over the ticket. She then proceeded with taking my new flight dates in December and February, making sure they had "I" class availability, and then needed to check again with her colleague for potential repricing. At that point, I was feeling more confident, and indeed she came back a little later and said that since I had already flown the first segment and since I was rebooking into "I" class, it would be an even exchange. This took another 10 minutes to process, and surprisingly they actually reissued it on AF (057) rather than DL stock, with the initial confirmation email containing the new eticket coming straight from an AF email address. She actually pointed out herself that the colleagues reissued it as AF rather than DL ticket, but said that if I should have any issues in the future and couldn't get help from AF, to feel free to call back DL for further assistance. This was hands down one of the best phone reservation interactions I've had in a long, long time, and it made my day.
If the rebooking hadn't worked out, I may have just dropped the remaining segments, since driving around Hawaii in a UHaul (which I had already reserved), paying outrageous amounts for lodging, and dealing with the pre-arrival testing hassle wouldn't have been worth it for me at this point. But I'm really glad that I'll hopefully have a chance to take that trip later this year.
Jun 27, 2021, 5:29 pm
#2623
Join Date: Oct 2019
Posts: 6
Hi all flyers, for those who have successfully transited BUD recently, whats the minimum transit time at BUD airport? My itinerary will be KL1973 AMSBUD STA 1050 connecting AF1295 BUDCDG STD 1215 on two separate tickets, apparently, then onward to USA without checked baggage. I wonder if I am able to make it. From the BUD airport website, it says there will be medical inspections and I wonder if that will take some time. Thanks million in advance.
Jun 27, 2021, 7:45 pm
#2624
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: RDU
Posts: 713
Hi all flyers, for those who have successfully transited BUD recently, whats the minimum transit time at BUD airport? My itinerary will be KL1973 AMSBUD STA 1050 connecting AF1295 BUDCDG STD 1215 on two separate tickets, apparently, then onward to USA without checked baggage. I wonder if I am able to make it. From the BUD airport website, it says there will be medical inspections and I wonder if that will take some time. Thanks million in advance.