SQ Bad Decision
May 6, 2009, 11:58 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: YYJ/DXB/OGG
Programs: EK-Skywards Gold / Delta Gold Medallion/E50K 1MM
Posts: 753
SQ Bad Decision
In this economic downturn and the carriers needing revenue, this struck me odd. I had the backend of a ticket SFO-SIN-DXB in First, it was set to expire May 24th (1 Year) I was unable to travel until June 09 and asked if they would extend the validity, the answer was NO. I then proceeded to ask for a refund and I would purchase a ticket on Emirates direct SFO-DXB, the answer again was NO. This was a full fare "F" ticket, I continued to explain to the agent that the rules entitled me to a refund minus a fee. Finally after speaking with another agent they refunded my ticket. What I don't understand is why they would not extend the validity to save a passenger
May 6, 2009, 12:05 pm
#2
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Singapore
Posts: 2,317
Poor training, lack of front-line talent, agent didn't take six seconds as recommended sometimes by the airline to consider all circumstances and perhaps a lack of desire to justify common sense to managers/management.
May 6, 2009, 12:38 pm
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: YYJ/DXB/OGG
Programs: EK-Skywards Gold / Delta Gold Medallion/E50K 1MM
Posts: 753
May 6, 2009, 1:32 pm
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: New York, NY, USA
Posts: 12,482
I concur.
But the OP needs to purchase a new fare ex-SFO. Fares ex-SFO are higher than ex-DXB, with the nonstop flight on EK the F fare is about double.
Do reservation agents even have the authority to extend a ticket, purchased in outstation, beyond one year validity?
But the OP needs to purchase a new fare ex-SFO. Fares ex-SFO are higher than ex-DXB, with the nonstop flight on EK the F fare is about double.
Do reservation agents even have the authority to extend a ticket, purchased in outstation, beyond one year validity?
Last edited by TerryK; May 6, 2009 at 1:38 pm
May 6, 2009, 1:35 pm
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: BOS/UTH
Programs: AA LT PLT; QR GLD; Bonvoy LT TIT
Posts: 12,753
Easy there, -- I'm sure that macabus was just making a friendly suggestion/observation.
IMO the problem with not having and following a structured set of rules in this industry is that it's far too easy for chaos to set in. Every agent becomes an arbiter of what's in the carrier's best interest, and that may or may not coincide with the bigger plan. Yes, the loss of your revenue doesn't help the carrier, but might make sense in the bigger picture.
IMO the problem with not having and following a structured set of rules in this industry is that it's far too easy for chaos to set in. Every agent becomes an arbiter of what's in the carrier's best interest, and that may or may not coincide with the bigger plan. Yes, the loss of your revenue doesn't help the carrier, but might make sense in the bigger picture.
May 6, 2009, 11:35 pm
#8
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: East of the Sun, West of the Moon
Programs: No loyalties, just look for the best deal
Posts: 297
I've been flying internationally for over 40 years and the one year ticket rule has been in place over that whole period. So why would IATA and the whole aviation industry change the rules just for you?
May 7, 2009, 5:31 am
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2002
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Depending the ticket validity can be extended by another 12 months.
May 7, 2009, 8:26 am
#10
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: East of the Sun, West of the Moon
Programs: No loyalties, just look for the best deal
Posts: 297
Interesting
Depending the ticket validity can be extended by another 12 month
Hey, that's interesting and a new one to me. How does that work? Can any ticket be extended or are you saying that there is a special type of ticket issued with a 2-year validity? I've had several experiences myself with full fare tickets expiring after 1 year and taken the refund route but didn't hold anything against the carrier(s) involved. After all, how many businesses of any type would sell a product/service in advance and maintain a price guarantee for over one year?
May 7, 2009, 1:26 pm
#11
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Sydney NSW Australia
Posts: 2,337
One of SQ's Star sisters (AC) has a policy where they will extend an unused ticket for 3 months extra validity with a small fee, so there is precedent. A partially used ticket is however another matter.
May 7, 2009, 1:34 pm
#12
Join Date: May 2001
Location: YVR
Posts: 3,918
In general, ticket validity is 12 months. The only exception is AC allows extension by extra 3 months for CAD50 fee plus fare difference and change fee.
May 7, 2009, 3:42 pm
#13
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: London; Bangkok; Las Vegas
Programs: AA Exec Plat; UA MM Gold; Marriott Lifetime Titanium; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 8,745
In this economic downturn and the carriers needing revenue, this struck me odd. I had the backend of a ticket SFO-SIN-DXB in First, it was set to expire May 24th (1 Year) I was unable to travel until June 09 and asked if they would extend the validity, the answer was NO. I then proceeded to ask for a refund and I would purchase a ticket on Emirates direct SFO-DXB, the answer again was NO. This was a full fare "F" ticket, I continued to explain to the agent that the rules entitled me to a refund minus a fee. Finally after speaking with another agent they refunded my ticket. What I don't understand is why they would not extend the validity to save a passenger
Very consistent rule followers. It can be aggravating at times.
Last edited by Always Flyin; May 13, 2009 at 6:38 pm
May 7, 2009, 7:27 pm
#14
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Singapore
Programs: QF LTG, SQ EGTP, Bonvoy LTG
Posts: 4,847
Oh yes. In a country where bus drivers won't let you off the bus until literally at the stop (and if that means waiting 3 minutes to travel the last 5 metres to the bus stop because of heavy traffic, despite being alongside a nice safe footpath - bad luck)- there is absolutely no chance of bending the 12 month validity rule for airline tickets...,
Last edited by Guy Betsy; May 8, 2009 at 7:52 am Reason: Removing quote pending review
May 8, 2009, 7:29 am
#15
Join Date: Aug 2008
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