Airline change fees make non-refundable tickets worthless
by Captain G on Mar.30, 2009, under Airlines
Most US airlines have raised ticket change fees which make non-refundable tickets worthless. I had a USAir discounted non-refundable ticket for $198 but had to cancel the flight for personal reasons. After being routed to two India call centers, I was told that a credit will be issued under my name and I had one year to use it. The credit is not transferable and it will be worthless after one year from the date of issuance. Finally, the USAir call center rep told me that there will be a $150 change fee if I want to re-use my $198 credit for another flight.
After hearing the call center reading all the rules from his screen aloud to me for close to 2 minutes, I asked myself the following question: “What is the point of issuing me a $198 credit, then take $150 away on my next booking. Why doesn’t USAir just tell me that I have $48 of credit to use for another USAir flight?”
At first I thought the $150 change fee was steep, then I learned UAL has recently up their fees as well. Ghetto Delta has always charged $150 for their itinerary change fee but now they are charging $250 for international change fees (check their ticketing FAQ).
Here’s what I have learned from this experience:
1. If you see a cheap airfare and clicked on the “SUBMIT” button on a website, you better travel on those dates and times or your ticket will be worthless.
2. Buy a refundable ticket or wait until a week before you are planning to take off if your plans are still influx
Airlines are obviously using change fees as an alternative way to get more revenue and stick it to its customers.
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(2 votes, average: 4.50 out of 5)
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March 30th, 2009 on 10:42 pm
[...] Airline change fees make non-refundable tickets worthless … [...]
March 31st, 2009 on 7:37 am
I’m sorry to tell you but thats a known thing, not only in the U.S. but almost in every country if you buy something when it have a “special prize” you should use it right away, ofcourse I ain’t saying this is right but there is nothing to do with it
Hope you have learned
May 3rd, 2009 on 11:52 am
The lesson is:
fly Southwest airlines whenever you can.
Here’s their change policy
If for any reason you need to cancel your booked flight, Southwest will give you a credit for the fare amount to use anytime on any southwest flight within a year from purchase date.
Don’t plan to travel by air again? Fine. You can sell or give your unused credit to anyone you want. Just give them the confirmation number
All the other major airlines sock you for a $150 change fee, force you to use or lose the ticket and then sell your vacated seat to someone else.
In the business world they call that double dipping
May 10th, 2009 on 1:03 pm
[...] of customers through change fees should be reviewed by our Justice Department. Here’s a link to my previous post regarding airline change fees making your ticket under $200 worthless. (No [...]
May 21st, 2009 on 10:30 am
Norris,
Thanks for your comment. You’ve inspired us to make the following post: http://www.triangletrip.com/2009/05/11/southwest-without-flight-cancellation-fees/
The Triangle Trip Crew