Airfare date switcheroo, Help!

[purplebelle]

Hey all,
I've booked airfare Dec. 4-8 w/United for our WDW trip. Originally my family and myself included were leaving the 8th but now I have 2 or 3 friends who want to come to Disney from the 8th-11th or so. This is completely awesome b/c I would get to stay longer and use my postcard to book more rooms for cheap, but not so good, b/c when I called United, I was told I'd have to pay the difference of the ticket (for the later coming home flight) if it's more than what we originally paid plus $100 for changing plans on non-refundable tickets. I already need that extra money for more days in the park. Is there anyay to avoid the extra fees? Any way to do it cheaper? Anyone an airfare expert???

PS--There's also a possibility I would fly home out of RSW (fort myers) instead of MCO. Does that make is easier/harder?

 

[seashoreCM]

Fare rules vary for each class (12 or so per airline) and for each airline. Generally it goes as you described it.

You might find some return flight on some day with a lower fare, that would cancel out part of the change fee.

As far as finding a cheaper flight except it goes to a different airport, ask if it could be substituted for what you have.

One exception for which you may luck out: If the airline announced a schedule change, you get a free change of the affected flight to an alternate time. It is definitely your choice as to whether the replacement flight is before or after the cancelled or flight or original time, but it is the airline's choice as to how much before or how much after based on complete sell out conditions. You may luck out in getting an open choice of alternate dates here.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[CarolMN]

Originally posted by seashoreCM
...(snip)....One exception for which you may luck out: If the airline announced a schedule change, you get a free change of the affected flight to an alternate time. It is definitely your choice as to whether the replacement flight is before or after the cancelled or flight or original time, but it is the airline's choice as to how much before or how much after based on complete sell out conditions. You may luck out in getting an open choice of alternate dates here.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

Don't count on a schedule change. Most airlines do not change schedules once the 90 day mark has passed. FWIW, the scheduled departure would have to result in a change of at least 1.5 hours for you to be able to change your flight without the change fee or to get a refund.

Sorry to say, I think you are stuck. When you buy non-refundable tickets, it's common to have to pay the change fee as well as any difference in fare when you change your plans.

 

[FINFAN]

purplebelle....I would still check for a schedule change as UA and AA just had to reduce some of their flights out of chicago. Not all are to MCO, mind you, but there is a slight possibility that there will be some schedule changes. I believe it needs to be 2-3 hours time difference in the flights for you to pull off a penalty free switch. 2 years ago I was able to do it with ATA over a 15 minute change, and that was sweet! I still booked w/them and ffare was about the same, but was able to add days to my trip as well. Call and tell UA what you are trying to do..you may see rates on the web lower, and you are only changing the return...so that may be at a lower rate...you do not have to rebook the round trip. If you see a rate online, call UA tell them the flight # you are intersted in changing to and see what they can do. We just went thru the same thing w/AA for our upcoming Dec trip, and changed our return fligt only, and it had gone down $46, so our penalty was 54 instead of 100. I had a pretty good rate already of 170, so all in all not too bad for 12/18-28 non-stops, great times of day...arrive early am----depart late night!


Good Luck!

Pam

 

[hightown]

You could try to find a cheap carrier to book a one way on from MCO to Chi or close by airport. Take that flight home and just be a no show on your current ticketed flight. It may be cheaper than paying the 100 and cost of ticket differnce.

You can also book a roundtrip ticket (sometimes cheaper than one way) from MCO to Chicago. Book it to leave when you want to return home and simply don't use the second part of the ticket. Again, you wouldn't use your original ticketed return ticket. I checked round trip from mco to chi, 12/11-14 (any return date would do. and that was $142 per person.

Course, you have to buy these tickets ahead of time and risk your originally carrier changing schedule and you being able to change dates without fee.

Confusing I know. Good luck

 

[purplebelle]

Haha, yes it is confusing! But I follow all of what you guys are saying. Hmm...so basically there will always be a fee, it's just a matter of how much!

Hightown--thanks for checking on those rates just for me! How kind of you.

Finfan & seashoreCM--I will keep my eyes pealed for a schedule change (although my family probably wouldn't be thrilled since they are only doing the 5 days)

CarolMN--You're right also...I've never had a schedule change in a single flight in the last 21 yrs!

 

[mom_rules]

Just happened to me! We extended our stay by two days-but I lucked out-the fares now were lower than when I booked so I did not have to pay a difference there but they did charge me a total of $50 to change 4 people. Was worth it for us! We did not have the option to cancel-we would have lost our $1000 deposit and the fees would have been greater if we had shortened or otherwise changed of flight-but since it was being extended it only cost the $50. (this was through a UA Partner).

 

[purplebelle]

mom_rules--- This was a united airlines partner? Were the new tickets significantly lower than the charge was only $50 for 4 people? That is a GREAT deal! I wish that could happen to me.

 

[lkohawaii]

We only fly united. Out of Hawaii they are always changing the red eye flight. Actually they usually have 2 red eye flights and combine it into one. It's only like and hour difference though. I don't know how it is out of MCO. Call reservations ask them. It seems that some agents are willling to work "harder" than other. I went to the airport today to ticket and the agent I got there was wonderful. She found all kinds of ways to save me money. I know this doesn't help much. I think though that the $100 fee is kind of definate. Keep watching the fares on the internet. When I saw the fare I wanted I called in. Maybe you'll be lucky and the fare will drop enough to offset the $100. Also try going on Flyertalk.com. They have a board on United FF. Maybe those guys there could help you. They talk about stuff I don't even understand.

 

[mom_rules]

The fare was $200 per person cheaper ($800 total)-I still had to pay the higher rate ($600 per person) Plus just one $50 fee for all 4.