I'm trying to change the return portion of a flight from bwi-msp-las to bwi-???-sjc or sfo. The telephone agent said the return portion was non-refundable. Apparently I can change the date or time just not the destination. Any suggestions on making the change? Worst case, I'll just hop a Southwest or National flt. from Vegas, but I'd rater save that $100 and a few hours.

Freefaller12k

It is a pretty hard-nosed rule that you cannot change the routing on the return portion of a non-refundable ticket, only the time or date. It would take a major exception to policy to get them to agree to your request. True for just about any other major carrier as well.

Operational circumstances can override that. I was once on a routing DCA-CLT-CHA on which the connection had been destroyed by weather, and they were willing to let me try for a nonstop DCA-BNA (and another passenger DCA-TYS), with ground transit back home our responsibility. (It didn't work because those flights were canceled or delayed past the point where it made sense, but they were willing.)

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Silverpie is absolutely correct. When operational problems occur (weather, mechanical), all rules are waived. I was referring to a situation where the passenger initiates an optional request for personal reasons.

One thing I have noticed, however. Gate personnel will often let you fly into a nearby co-terminal. For example, in DC if you buy a ticket to/from BWI or IAD to save money, the gate agents will often let you standby for the flight to DCA, especially if it is an off-peak time.

You can change the return flight - time and date only - but not the destination. Gonna cost you $75 to change it. If you need to travel to SFO/SJC you could use the return portion (plus $75) to position yourself in a city most economically reaching to SFO.

Could you take the ticket to United and ask them to accept it - for the face value shown - and construct a routing of BWI- connecting in SFO - for a flight to LAS??? You could always walk away in SFO providing you did not check luggage. Offer them a $75 change fee for the change in date of travel. They would collect the face value of the ticket from the clearing house and add your $75 service charge to it.

Let me know.

-gary

Your best bet would be to try to make the city change at the airport...with an airport agent...not even mentioning it over the phone. The problem, in your exact situation now is...the phone agent may have documented your reservation (PNR) in the computer saying that the passenger was advised changes permitted only to the date/time for $75...but no change to other cities.

NEVER "ask" about changes like this (e.g. things that are really not allowed) over the phone!!! They can document your record, and then you have a less likely chance doing it at the airport....because the airport agent will say "oh it says right here you were advised you cannot do that."

Now its possible that reservations did not document your record. You might call and casually ask if there are any special notes in your reservation about making a change....etc. Have to very carefully ask this question...and add to this line above...but it can work to see if they have documented your record.

In an ideal situation, you would want to just go to the airport, try to pick out an agent that you think looks like they are really not too much into the rules, and ask them to change the city for you.....siting some circumstance that just came up at the last minute. Granted, above posters are correct....this is not the policy of the airline....and you only have like maybe a 50 50 or less chance of it working...but stranger things have happened.