Award Ticket Changes
 

I purchased an award ticket to Europe for specific dates recently and was just notified of changes that entailed a new return date 2 days later than my original ticketing. 2 days seems like quite a big deal and it could have been a deal breaker for me if the change had been 2 days earlier as opposed to later. The trip would have been completely useless if I had to leave 2 days earlier. My question is, when they make such radical changes to my original award ticket dates are all bets off and do I have the right to simply cancel the award and have all my miles redeposited into my account without any penalties? I should think so since they are the ones that have reneged on the original deal. They certainly won't give any of us any breaks if WE try to change the deal after the fact.
I'm just planning on the worst case scenario since there is still a couple of months before the flight actually takes place and I'm sure they'll be making more changes before then.

I would say most definitely you will get your miles back without penalties. Call the airline to make sure that's the case.

What airline's miles did you use?

I can't imagine any airline giving you much grief about a full no-fee mileage redeposit. If you still want to take your trip, though, you can also try to work with your airline to get an alternative itinerary that works for you.

If you call the airline now, though, to confirm your new itinerary and then later decide to cancel, they may consider that you accepted the changes and therefore not allow a later cancellation for no-fee.

yep 1 must be very careful of this, also say the trip is for Jan I dont think many Airlines will allow a person to call in Dec and get it redeposited without any Fees, unless a person would be willing to Lie and say they were never notified in any way about the change

but once you call and ask something and the CSR gets the record on her screen, most likely they will put a Note on it that you called and didnt ask for it to be redeposited. Thats why in these types of cases I dont enter my FFB info or give it to them , nor my PNR .I simply say I have a couple of General questions and hope they answer them if they wont, I hang up and will try another CSR. That way my record wont have any Notes of me calling in and asking about it

They will do either one of the following:

1) you decide the change is too drastic and dont want to take the trip any more. miles go back to your account and re-depositing fee waived. However, if you booked this initially over the phone, the phone charge is NOT refundable, no matter what. As much unreasonable as it seems, there are lengthy discussions and threads in various manners, in airlines forums - that very few has been able to recoup the phone booking fee.

2) you still want to do the trip and the agent would work with you to find alternative routing to accommodate you. The change fee is waived in this case.

Either one position you took, would be documented and is considered case-closed once that is done.

You cannot therefore change your mind afterward. Of course, if there are NEW schedule changes in the future before your traveling date, it would be treated as a brand new case, with the above options once again.

As posted, airlines will usually accommodate you in this situation - but every airline has its own policies. You'll get more specific, and better informed, replies in the forum for whatever airline this is about. (Don't keep it a secret, BTW. There's no benefit in doing that.)

This is a Northwest ticket I'm referring to by the way. Thanks for the info. I can see where they would be justified in assessing some penalties if I were to remain silent about the notified changes and then call at the last moment and say the changes are unacceptable but I doubt I would ever do that. If they make a change that is unacceptable I would notify them immediately, and according to everyone's input here, I would be safe from any such penalties in that case. Good to know. Now I just hope they don't make any such unacceptable changes...

This is a very interesting scenario.

I also have an NW ticket, to Africa next month,
and now would like to modify the return without fee,
but the sked changes so far are more
like 30 mins, not 2 days. :o

In most ways. this is a lucky break for you.
Clearly, don't push it too close to departure.
j
Just take some time, decide what works for you,
and enjoy the free change !

If you still want to travel, most airlines will be accomodating in allowing you to choose the alternate flight, before or after your original date/time, even if all the award seats on your cosen flight are gone. At least, as long as the flight is operated by the airline you redeemed from - a partner award may be more problematic.