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{prem fare gone}: AF/KL/DL/VS: BUD-US from $750 R/T

Old Mar 15, 2020, 10:29 am
FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides
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.
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{prem fare gone}: AF/KL/DL/VS: BUD-US from $750 R/T

Old Mar 15, 2020, 12:28 am
  #271  
 
Join Date: May 2019
Programs: AS, DL
Posts: 24
Great find! Thanks OP and everyone...

Just ticketed BUD-JFK-MIA-JFK-BUD for November-January...all for ~800USD.
jackie64 is offline  
Old Mar 15, 2020, 1:29 am
  #272  
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Western Europe
Posts: 205
Originally Posted by Maestro Ramen
Don't use the e word!

Worth noting that any booking made now on AF is fully refundable/changeable due to their (generous) policy on covid19 - so I suspect this is why this fare is flagged as fully refundable despite being in I.

I did take plenty of screenshots just in case but I don't see this going south.
On KLM.com it says the following today for my trip:
BUD - HNL fully flexible
HNL - SFO fees apply
SFO - BUD fully flexible

I assume I don't really have to pay for the HNL SFO segment in case I cancel the whole trip?
altalk08 is offline  
Old Mar 15, 2020, 1:32 am
  #273  
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Programs: Flying Blue Platinum, Le ClubAccor Gold
Posts: 775
I have still 2 tickets not issued on a booking for a party of 5 for HNL...that I have paid partly with voucher. However, the booking is "confirmed" (email and website)
Should I be worried ? How can I push for the ticketing ?

For trips booked through delta, where can we find the fare class ?
canadavid is online now  
Old Mar 15, 2020, 1:41 am
  #274  
 
Join Date: Jul 2018
Posts: 4
Originally Posted by canadavid
I have still 2 tickets not issued on a booking for a party of 5 for HNL...that I have paid partly with voucher. However, the booking is "confirmed" (email and website)
Should I be worried ? How can I push for the ticketing ?

For trips booked through delta, where can we find the fare class ?
To see the fare class click on your trip under "manage my trips" then under the confirmation # click "view receipt"
Aundudel is offline  
Old Mar 15, 2020, 2:38 am
  #275  
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Western Europe
Posts: 205
Is it correct that the Westjet flights (YVR - HNL) on 737-800 do not offer any IFE and seats are basic Economy seats with middle blockers? https://www.westjet.com/en-ca/travel...flight/premium That would be a real bummer.
altalk08 is offline  
Old Mar 15, 2020, 2:46 am
  #276  
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 367
How does KLM view dropping the last leg AMS-BUD? Still get miles for the other flights? Will Delta on the way back short check baggage to AMS?
janwillem is offline  
Old Mar 15, 2020, 3:13 am
  #277  
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Programs: Flying Blue Platinum, Le ClubAccor Gold
Posts: 775
Originally Posted by Aundudel
To see the fare class click on your trip under "manage my trips" then under the confirmation # click "view receipt"
OK, I ended up cancelling and rebooking on delta app to be sure to have a FF fare.
canadavid is online now  
Old Mar 15, 2020, 3:13 am
  #278  
 
Join Date: Jun 2018
Posts: 938
Have constructed BUD-JFK-LAS-MIA-BUD for January... for some sun!

But would like to avoid AF A380 in the return.

Anybody else created any interesting routings which are still bookabel?

Would be great to see a few places stateside especially New Orleans and Savannah Georgia!
Tofino87 is offline  
Old Mar 15, 2020, 3:16 am
  #279  
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: HEL
Programs: BA Gold, AY Gold
Posts: 649
Originally Posted by FrankTalk
Actually you can connect in SLC and DFW (and AUS as demonstrated).
I’ve tried lots of dates September=> via SLC to SJU and STT with no success. Any ideas/pointers? LAS would be awesome as well, but I don’t think I’ve seen anyone mention success with that one.
Alec84 is offline  
Old Mar 15, 2020, 4:24 am
  #280  
 
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 227
My only regret is booking most of mine through airfrance.hu. Seems I have to call to cancel and refund and the number was not working just now through Skype or GV. Would have liked to cancel and rebook some of them through Delta instead of AF/KL.
princesakura is offline  
Old Mar 15, 2020, 4:27 am
  #281  
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Programs: M&M
Posts: 992
BUD-AMS-SLC//SLC-ATL-SJU and whatever return. Problem is finding availability with Delta's nasty married logic. But it's possible.
FrankTalk is offline  
Old Mar 15, 2020, 4:31 am
  #282  
 
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: London / Amsterdam
Programs: Flying Blue
Posts: 223
Originally Posted by altalk08
Is it correct that the Westjet flights (YVR - HNL) on 737-800 do not offer any IFE and seats are basic Economy seats with middle blockers? https://www.westjet.com/en-ca/travel...flight/premium That would be a real bummer.
Flown YVR-OGG last year and WesJet has quite nice premium seats, but not in all planes yet.
No integrated IFE indeed, but there's IFE through an app you can use on your phone/tablet.
r0gerthat is offline  
Old Mar 15, 2020, 4:57 am
  #283  
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: HEL
Programs: BA Gold, AY Gold
Posts: 649
Originally Posted by FrankTalk
BUD-AMS-SLC//SLC-ATL-SJU and whatever return. Problem is finding availability with Delta's nasty married logic. But it's possible.
I managed to find this on GF, thanks! Noe need to find a site to book, since GF does not provide links. I would also love to have a stopover in LA on the SLC-SJU portion, but I guess it’s not possible and even if it is, it’s only max. 4h, right?

Last edited by Alec84; Mar 15, 2020 at 5:24 am
Alec84 is offline  
Old Mar 15, 2020, 5:18 am
  #284  
 
Join Date: Mar 2018
Programs: DL DM, FB Gold
Posts: 296
How sure can I be to travel if I have already checked in for the first leg (BUD-AMS)? Can they email me 2 hours before the flight with a cancellation, deny me boarding in BUD or downgrade me to economy? Cheers
David7 is offline  
Old Mar 15, 2020, 5:24 am
  #285  
 
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 786
Fare gone?
Croupier is offline  

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