Changing airline tickets?

[nilseks]

Wondering if anyone has any insights for me...

I have been stalking Kayak for 2 months, wavering on buying tix for our next Disney trip. I bought the tickets to go there about 2 weeks ago, and have been looking for the return flight. After putting some tix on hold, I finally bit the bullet and bought the return flight on Friday night. It was a decent fare but had a connecting flight. I *really* didn't want a connecting flight because my son has some sensory difficulties and flying is tough for him, but I had to balance out cost. So of course, last night the airfare dropped and a direct flight is now cheaper than what I paid. I'm not so worried about the money as I am my son's comfort. We are flying home on American. Does anyone have any 'insider tips' as to how I can get them to work with me to change the flight? I'm not looking for a refund of the extra cost, I would just love to get my son on a direct. I'm kicking myself so hard right now!

 

[Marionnette]

Wondering if anyone has any insights for me...

I have been stalking Kayak for 2 months, wavering on buying tix for our next Disney trip. I bought the tickets to go there about 2 weeks ago, and have been looking for the return flight. After putting some tix on hold, I finally bit the bullet and bought the return flight on Friday night. It was a decent fare but had a connecting flight. I *really* didn't want a connecting flight because my son has some sensory difficulties and flying is tough for him, but I had to balance out cost. So of course, last night the airfare dropped and a direct flight is now cheaper than what I paid. I'm not so worried about the money as I am my son's comfort. We are flying home on American. Does anyone have any 'insider tips' as to how I can get them to work with me to change the flight? I'm not looking for a refund of the extra cost, I would just love to get my son on a direct. I'm kicking myself so hard right now!

Every airline has its own rules regarding ticket changes. Some don't charge you anything more than the price difference (even giving you a credit towards future flights if the price of your new flight is lower). But there are others that will charge you a change fee for each ticket which can make it very expensive to change flights. The best you can do is to call them and ask what it would cost you to make the change.

 

[azdizzymom]

Think you will probably find with American you will be charged a change fee and any fare difference (in this case if flight is lower you won't have fare difference). As PP mentioned some airlines will change and not charge or refund price difference if that is lower (in reading on transportation area that appears to be only Jet Blue (????), Southwest and possibly Airtran. American, Delta, United,etc. all charge fees.

I can give you an example of years ago I was having a miscarriage and was in Arizona. Doctor there said I needed to get home.....office was set to call airline, write note, etc for me NOT to have to pay fee since it was medical emergency. Well I am in tears on phone with airline from doctors office, talking to supervisors, etc and had to pay. Sad thing is airlines are out to nickle and dime us and don't really care about anything other than our money.

Only thing to try is call and be very polite. Ask the person nicely about changing and explain your son's condition. See if they will waive the fee---even if it is just for him that would help. If they say they can't help ask politely to speak to a supervisor or someone who might be above them to see if they can work magic. Be polite and don't demand or lose patience.

Good luck....

 

[ccgirl]

What type of fare did you purchase? If you purchased a refundable fare you are all set. If you purchased non-refundable, as most of us do because it it less money, you will probably be charged a change fee. That's why they call it non-refundable and that's why it's cheaper - no changes allowed without a fee. That is also why I only fly SW or Airtran. Although Airtran has a change fee I can cancel and use the funds toward a future flight. I believe the change fee is $75 per ticket.

 

[Green Tea]

You can change it, for whatever fee they said when you accepted the restrictions, likely $150. If the new ticket is $150 less, then you wouldn't pay anything. If it is $10 less, then you would pay $140. They are not flexible

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Call the airline and explain the situation.

 

[azdizzymom]

You can change it, for whatever fee they said when you accepted the restrictions, likely $150. If the new ticket is $150 less, then you wouldn't pay anything. If it is $10 less, then you would pay $140. They are not flexible

I don't think this is the correct information. They charge a change fee. (period to make any change). Then there is the extra cost of the difference between fares (believe if the new ticket is lower priced you only pay the change fee and don't get any refund subtracted from the change fee). Only way OP is going to find out IF they can change is call the airline. No one here can tell her exactly the fee because she didn't state what type of ticket. If you buy the cheapest ticket (which is what it appears OP did) they are going to be less flexible. I wouldn't hold my breathe on not paying a fee if I were OP. When we buy plane tickets it clearly states the terms and penalty for cancellation or change. I looked at American website and OP can pull up reservation and 'pretend' to make changes to ticket to see what fee would be. I highly doubt that the airline will be sympathetic but who knows you might get someone who will waive fee for the child's ticket and then make adult pay the fee. I am sure airlines get calls about the fee being waived numerous times daily and are firm in their answers. As I stated I had a medical emergency and got nowhere. At the time it was myself and my 6 month old son flying....I had a seat for him too so I had to pay the fee for 2 people.

OP good luck and please update. The only place and way you will know the charge and chances of changing for free are calling. Just be polite and nice--hope for the best but be prepared for them saying no.

 

[Katy Belle]

Call them and ask...you never know.

I had booked tickets through Travelocity, flying from Qatar to Omaha Nebraska, for 4 of us...so it was a lot of money, about $4,000. They were non refundable tickets. The company decided to move us to the USA, but the dates would now be different. I couldn't even get an American Airlines flight that would work for us. I called to see what they could do for us. They did charge us a fee, but we were able to get credit for them, rather than losing all the money.

It can't hurt to ask!

Katy

 

[nilseks]

Thanks for the advice, everyone. Well, no dice. I called American and I was very nice but from the start it was clear they were not going to budge. $50 change fee per ticket. Can't say I blame them--it's my problem, not theirs. I wish I'd had the courage to gut out the fares but they have been skyrocketing and I needed to get something affordable. At one point I had considered buying cheap seats for my husband and older son and flying myself and my younger son home on a direct flight so it would be easier for him--but decided I needed DH with me in younger son became unmanageable (it has been known to happen--all of the sensory stuff on the flight just throws him off and it's a lot for him to handle). I knew going into it that this would be hard for my son but it is 2 short flights so hopefully he will do okay with it.

 

[SuzanneSLO]

On American, the OP may have 2 more options.

If there is a schedule change to your return flight, you may be able to rebook on the NS flight at no cost.

If you can be patient, you can do a same day confirmed flight change for $50 per person. You can book this up to 12 hours prior to the NS if seats are available.

Best of luck -- Suzanne

 

[nilseks]

Thanks Suzanne. The schedule change thing had crossed my mind. I will definitely keep an eye on that, as American has been known to make LOTS of schedule changes. Particularly when booking this far out!

 

[Green Tea]

A $50 change fee is actually really reasonable. I wish all the airlines used that!

 

[Green Tea]

I don't think this is the correct information. They charge a change fee. (period to make any change). Then there is the extra cost of the difference between fares (believe if the new ticket is lower priced you only pay the change fee and don't get any refund subtracted from the change fee). Only way OP is going to find out IF they can change is call the airline. No one here can tell her exactly the fee because she didn't state what type of ticket. If you buy the cheapest ticket (which is what it appears OP did) they are going to be less flexible. I wouldn't hold my breathe on not paying a fee if I were OP. When we buy plane tickets it clearly states the terms and penalty for cancellation or change. I looked at American website and OP can pull up reservation and 'pretend' to make changes to ticket to see what fee would be. I highly doubt that the airline will be sympathetic but who knows you might get someone who will waive fee for the child's ticket and then make adult pay the fee. I am sure airlines get calls about the fee being waived numerous times daily and are firm in their answers. As I stated I had a medical emergency and got nowhere. At the time it was myself and my 6 month old son flying....I had a seat for him too so I had to pay the fee for 2 people.

OP good luck and please update. The only place and way you will know the charge and chances of changing for free are calling. Just be polite and nice--hope for the best but be prepared for them saying no.

You do not lose the value of the price you paid. That amount becomes a credit, minus the $150 fee. If the flight price dropped by an amount more than $150, you could end up with a credit for a future flight within a year.