A note about change fees
Jun 26, 2008 | 10:51 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 1,471
A note about change fees
I just booked a $69 one-way SFO-SEA (!!!!!! where the heck did that come from !!!!!) and noticed a little something in the rules.
We have spoken before about potentially changing a ticket from Y to F (no change fee), then canceling said ticket (no cancellation fee for F tickets). Neat idea.
Here's another one. There is no change fee for downgrading from F to Y, with all fare difference being refunded.
From the fare fules:
Many have complained about a lack of fully-refundable Y fares. While you still end up with ticket credit rather than CC refund, this is one way (albeit slightly risky, in case Y or F is full on the flight you want to switch to) to skirt that rule.
Thoughts? Also.... $69 one-way SFO-SEA?!?!?!
We have spoken before about potentially changing a ticket from Y to F (no change fee), then canceling said ticket (no cancellation fee for F tickets). Neat idea.
Here's another one. There is no change fee for downgrading from F to Y, with all fare difference being refunded.
From the fare fules:
Flight and/or date changes from First Class to Main Cabin will incur no change fee, but any applicable fare difference will be credited.
Thoughts? Also.... $69 one-way SFO-SEA?!?!?!
Jun 26, 2008 | 11:16 pm
#2
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Miami, FL, USA
Posts: 4,104
There are never any change fees for first class tickets, no matter what you do with them. In fact, that's how I give people "gift cards". I buy them an F ticket somewhere that costs approximately the value I want to give them, and tell them to change it to whatever they want (two coach tickets, a more expensive F ticket, paying the difference, whatever). I had not heard that there is no change fee from Y to F, though. That's news to me.
Jun 27, 2008 | 10:03 am
#4
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Miami, FL, USA
Posts: 4,104
Jul 15, 2008 | 9:06 am
#6
Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: Henderson, NV
Programs: Hyatt LT Globalist, Marriot LT Titanium, UA 2.4MM, HH Gold, AS MVPG
Posts: 3,517
Ok, quick question. My mom is flying with me SFO-SEA. On the outbound I booked her in F with me. The flight is still $69 for Y and wide-open in F. Can I change her back to Y ($108 credit) and then pay $50 to upgrade her at 24 hour window? Then use the other part of the credit to upgrade her for her return flight if available?
Thanks.
Thanks.
Jul 15, 2008 | 10:38 am
#7
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Miami, FL, USA
Posts: 4,104
Ok, quick question. My mom is flying with me SFO-SEA. On the outbound I booked her in F with me. The flight is still $69 for Y and wide-open in F. Can I change her back to Y ($108 credit) and then pay $50 to upgrade her at 24 hour window? Then use the other part of the credit to upgrade her for her return flight if available?
Thanks.
Thanks.
However, be warned that those seats nearly always get reserved on that route. How far in advance are you looking, and what day of the week/time?
Jul 15, 2008 | 11:08 am
#8
Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: Henderson, NV
Programs: Hyatt LT Globalist, Marriot LT Titanium, UA 2.4MM, HH Gold, AS MVPG
Posts: 3,517
Got it all done. I had to do the "downgrade" on-line, but then called back and they used the credit towards the upgrade fee. Very nice, now we still have enough credit to hopefully upgrade her on the return. It still has 4 seats open. Wednesday outbound. Saturday's return has 7 seats open.
Jul 15, 2008 | 9:36 pm
#9
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 478
Got it all done. I had to do the "downgrade" on-line, but then called back and they used the credit towards the upgrade fee. Very nice, now we still have enough credit to hopefully upgrade her on the return. It still has 4 seats open. Wednesday outbound. Saturday's return has 7 seats open.
Is that what you Americans call "gaming the system?"
Jul 21, 2008 | 2:09 pm
#10
Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: Henderson, NV
Programs: Hyatt LT Globalist, Marriot LT Titanium, UA 2.4MM, HH Gold, AS MVPG
Posts: 3,517
I guess. I don't think I did anything wrong, as I explained exactly what I wanted to do to the VX rep on the phone. I think it is very rare that a flight is so inexpensive within 24hours of flight time, which is the only time this would make sense and/or work.
Jul 21, 2008 | 2:13 pm
#11
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Miami, FL, USA
Posts: 4,104
I think we established before that VX's pricing seems to be like a "bell curve", so that it's actually quite common for prices to be extra cheap within 24 hours.