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
Apr 1, 2020, 12:49 pm
#601
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: AMS
Programs: BAEC Silver, Flying Blue Gold, TK M&S Nobody
Posts: 2,485
Hey, we were all young some day....
That asside, I have a question for experts. So I commited the cardinal sin (yvmv) of buying a ticket for additional persons without even asking them for their opinion. Whilst I am hopeful that they will see this as a pleasant surprise (I am still shutting my mouth tight until things calm down a bit internationally). In the event that they categorically refuse to travel, am I able to refund only certain pax on the tickets but not others, or do I have to lose the whole thing. I would be really bummed to lose out on this winter trip to sunny california.
That asside, I have a question for experts. So I commited the cardinal sin (yvmv) of buying a ticket for additional persons without even asking them for their opinion. Whilst I am hopeful that they will see this as a pleasant surprise (I am still shutting my mouth tight until things calm down a bit internationally). In the event that they categorically refuse to travel, am I able to refund only certain pax on the tickets but not others, or do I have to lose the whole thing. I would be really bummed to lose out on this winter trip to sunny california.
Apr 1, 2020, 2:57 pm
#603
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: VIE/PRG
Programs: FB Platinum, Marriott Platinum Elite
Posts: 1,592
Apr 2, 2020, 5:04 am
#605
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Programs: BA Silver, EY Gold, HH Diamond, IHG Plat
Posts: 12,210
Hey, we were all young some day....
That asside, I have a question for experts. So I commited the cardinal sin (yvmv) of buying a ticket for additional persons without even asking them for their opinion. Whilst I am hopeful that they will see this as a pleasant surprise (I am still shutting my mouth tight until things calm down a bit internationally). In the event that they categorically refuse to travel, am I able to refund only certain pax on the tickets but not others, or do I have to lose the whole thing. I would be really bummed to lose out on this winter trip to sunny california.
That asside, I have a question for experts. So I commited the cardinal sin (yvmv) of buying a ticket for additional persons without even asking them for their opinion. Whilst I am hopeful that they will see this as a pleasant surprise (I am still shutting my mouth tight until things calm down a bit internationally). In the event that they categorically refuse to travel, am I able to refund only certain pax on the tickets but not others, or do I have to lose the whole thing. I would be really bummed to lose out on this winter trip to sunny california.
Apr 2, 2020, 6:30 am
#606
Join Date: Feb 2012
Programs: Flying Blue Platinum, Le ClubAccor Gold
Posts: 776
Got AF on the phone for about 1,5h and every modification that we were trying was costing 1800-2000euros.
It seems that the have corrected the fare in effect when tickets have been issued and that it is a cancel or use it as it is.
Still a good fare anyway...
It seems that the have corrected the fare in effect when tickets have been issued and that it is a cancel or use it as it is.
Still a good fare anyway...
Apr 2, 2020, 6:47 am
#607
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Western Europe
Posts: 205
Yes, Delta will refer you to either AF or KLM in case the ticket's been booked with them directly. Happened to me too (called Delta, was told to call KLM).
Apr 2, 2020, 7:31 am
#608
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: STR-BUD-ZRH-MUC-FRA
Posts: 210
did you ask why there are charges in a tarif which is fully flexible?
Apr 2, 2020, 7:35 am
#609
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: DXB
Programs: Marriott Titanium Elite, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, BA Silver, A3 Gold, Sixt Diamond
Posts: 2,812
Fully flexible fares don’t necessarily mean changes are free. Otherwise everyone would book for the cheapest dates and then rebook for when they really want to travel.
Apr 2, 2020, 7:44 am
#610
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: AMS
Programs: BAEC Silver, Flying Blue Gold, TK M&S Nobody
Posts: 2,485
This - it means no charge for the change. There are conditions under which this fare will not reprice [or will use historical prices - i.e. the deal we got] but there are limits.
Apr 2, 2020, 7:55 am
#611
Join Date: Feb 2012
Programs: Flying Blue Platinum, Le ClubAccor Gold
Posts: 776
The reissue of the fare using historical fare is a manual operation that should be made by a supervisor or very skilled operator. So it is nearly impossible it can be made.
However, it is fully flexible in « no change fee » or « no cancellation fee ».
Apr 2, 2020, 8:01 am
#612
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: AMS
Programs: BAEC Silver, Flying Blue Gold, TK M&S Nobody
Posts: 2,485
what I have been told is that they pulled out the fare and correct it. Which would mean that they would not reissue a ticket without the « fare difference » to be paid.
The reissue of the fare using historical fare is a manual operation that should be made by a supervisor or very skilled operator. So it is nearly impossible it can be made.
However, it is fully flexible in « no change fee » or « no cancellation fee ».
The reissue of the fare using historical fare is a manual operation that should be made by a supervisor or very skilled operator. So it is nearly impossible it can be made.
However, it is fully flexible in « no change fee » or « no cancellation fee ».
Apr 2, 2020, 8:08 am
#613
Join Date: Feb 2012
Programs: Flying Blue Platinum, Le ClubAccor Gold
Posts: 776
I have others with DL, but it is very hard to find availibility at the historical rate. I can find some a couple of days ago, but not anymore. Just checking, I can not even make it online on DL website. But anyway, those one I do not want any changes as i booked them directly with a stopover at my hometown.
Last edited by canadavid; Apr 2, 2020 at 8:16 am
Apr 2, 2020, 8:11 am
#614
Join Date: May 2016
Programs: TK Elite+, SPG Plat, Jetsmarter
Posts: 144
Apr 2, 2020, 8:14 am
#615
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: AMS
Programs: BAEC Silver, Flying Blue Gold, TK M&S Nobody
Posts: 2,485
Yeah, I've only seen historical rates for keeping the same TATL portion of the outbound - meaning no date changes on the front half. Can't seem to move the KL BUD-AMS or vv legs either. Just need my Other Half to decide if she wants me to change it - wary of using up my one online change.