Can you cancel a nonrefundable ticket?

[rainy~daze]

Anyone know anything about how it works if you needed to cancel and tix were NR? We are flying continental and I just don't understand. I knwo they won't refund my money, but do they give us a voucher for a new flight or are we just out money? And if they do give us a credit is it in the original persons name only or can I use the credit that would come from my moms ticket? is it transferrable and how long do we have to us it, etc.?? any help would be great thanks!

 

[kimberh]

You need to call Continental.

 

[Bird-Mom]

Generally, there will be a change fee ($100 I think) plus any difference in fare to reuse the ticket. It may only be re-used in the original person's name; it is not transferrable. You can just keep the ticket (or copy of your e-ticket), and it is good for one year from the date of issue. You should call just to double check.

 

[kaytieeldr]

To emphasize Bird-mom's post - you need to complete travel on the new ticket within one year of purchasing the original ticket. But again, calling Continental will give you the most accurate answers (although I'm fairly certain the new ticket can only be issued to/used by the original ticketholder; I think only Southwest has a liberal policy on that).

 

[bicker]

It does depend on the fare class of the ticket. I've had tickets that I've had to cancel (both, coincidently, on US Airways, but Continental works the same). For one, there was a 100% penalty, so I basically lost all the money. For the other, it was a 50% penalty, so there was like $130 on account for me (tied to the six-character record locator). If I had had occasion to use the money, I would have just given the US Airways agent the record locator, produced proof I was that person, and they would apply that balance to a ticket I was purchasing with them. (As it was, I didn't travel within the year, and lost that money as well.)

 

[vhoffman]

Don't call Continental--the information probably won't be accurate depending on who you get. Most just want to get you off the phone.

Your best bet is to read through all the mish mash on your e-ticket (I assume you have an e-ticket). I've found CA's policies not to be very favorable for refunds. Last year we had 4 rt tickets to Hawaii, couldn't take the trip because dh had a heart attack. Well, CA didn't bend its policies one bit. We couldn't get a refund but could get a credit for the purchase of the ticket, good for one year. Also, there was a $100 per person/per flight change fee, so for a family of four rt that came to $800. However, we did use the credit, just came back from a trip to Hawaii a few weeks ago. We figured we were getting 4 rt's to Hawaii for $800, can't beat that!

 

[Snowysmom]

I just had to do this with Delta since my father is in poor health and we don't want to go to Florida at this point in case something happens. When we bought the tickets he was doing well. They were nice enough to waive the change fee once I explained the situation but normally it would be $50 per ticket. I have to buy new tickets before the expiration date on the tickets which is one year from the date of purchase. Look on Continental's website to see if they explain the policy.

 

[bicker]

Just keep in mind that the change fee and policy implementation may be different for different tickets even on the same airline.