Delta change question--need help

[got2luvtink]

So, I booked a hotwire flight for Delta. There are six of us traveling.

Well, I just found out that there will be a major tournament with my two sons' sports team on the day after we travel out. I called Delta to see if I could change the 3 of our flights. (DH and other 2 kids would still go to WDW as planned.) I wanted to see what the change fee would be to take a later flight to Orlando the next day. I found out it would be a total of $200 plus any difference in price of flights to change. Well I only paid $184rt/pp, so I wasn't going to do that.

So I have decided to drive down to WDW, take the los on the outbound flight, and just fly back as originally planned. I figured all I had to do was call Delta and tell them I was not going to be on the outbound flight, but I would return for the inbound flight.

Delta said they would still charge me $200 per flight plus the difference in fares because they will cancel the whole RT flight if I don't show up, even if I'm letting them know in advance that I want to still use the remainder of my ticket.

This makes NO sense to me. Is this right?

 

[Jestocost]

So, I booked a hotwire flight for Delta. There are six of us traveling.

Well, I just found out that there will be a major tournament with my two sons' sports team on the day after we travel out. I called Delta to see if I could change the 3 of our flights. (DH and other 2 kids would still go to WDW as planned.) I wanted to see what the change fee would be to take a later flight to Orlando the next day. I found out it would be a total of $200 plus any difference in price of flights to change. Well I only paid $184rt/pp, so I wasn't going to do that.

So I have decided to drive down to WDW, take the los on the outbound flight, and just fly back as originally planned. I figured all I had to do was call Delta and tell them I was not going to be on the outbound flight, but I would return for the inbound flight.

Delta said they would still charge me $200 per flight plus the difference in fares because they will cancel the whole RT flight if I don't show up, even if I'm letting them know in advance that I want to still use the remainder of my ticket.

This makes NO sense to me. Is this right?

Yep. That's how a nonrefundable fare works on most carriers. Don't know where they are getting the $200 per flight because the standard change fee is $150 per ticket which would be $900 total for a party of six.

 

[got2luvtink]

150 change fee plus extra 50 since I booked through Hotwire.

I guess this just doesnt make since to me because I feel like I paid for the whole round trip. So even if I don't make the outbound flight to Orlando, I still paid for the inbound flight, so I feel I should still be able to use it.

Also, I feel why would I pay a change fee, for a flight that is not changing for us at all. The flights will stay the same whether we will be in the seats going to Orlando or not.

Is this really how it works with most carriers?

 

[disneycruising]

We had this same problem when we did the Transatlantic Cruise in May. We book the cruise & air thru disney. A few weeks after we made our final payment, my DH found out that he had to go China on business. When we call DCL they said no problem...DH could meet up with us in Portugal. But, that he still had to pay for the 'whole cruise'. Delta ended up charging us $200 to change his ticket. Which was crazy because we where changing a round-trip ticket to a one-way.

 

[jsilvers]

Is this really how it works with most carriers?

Yes. Most carriers will cancel your entire itinerary if you do not appear for the first flight.

Why? In many cases, a round-trip ticket is cheaper than a one-way ticket; this rule is intended to prevent passengers from purchasing the round-trip and using only part of it. (Of course, it's much more difficult for a carrier to prevent passengers from using only the first part of the ticket, although there are stories of airlines canceling a passenger's frequent flyer account, etc. in retaliation.)

In the case of Delta, see rule 100(G)(3) of its contract of carriage:

Delta specifically prohibits the practices commonly known as: ... Throwaway Ticketing - The issuance, purchase or usage of round excursion fares for one way travel.​

http://images.delta.com.edgesuite.net/delta/pdfs/contract_of_carriage_dom.pdf

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Yep. That's how a nonrefundable fare works on most carriers. Don't know where they are getting the $200 per flight because the standard change fee is $150 per ticket which would be $900 total for a party of six.

As was pointed out above it's an extra $50 if you use a TA. You can avoid this by calling the TA and making them make the change, but... good luck with a TA like Hotwire.

The only US Carrier that I know you can skip the first flight and not lose the rest of the ticket on is SouthWest. I am not sure about JetBlue. I am sure about Delta, USAir, United, Continetial, American etc... You don't show up for a flight segment and the rest of your ticket will be cancelled. When you do show up later you can buy a new ticket (at the going rate) So at least OP knows now and not when she shows up at the airport. (Because you don't want to know what that's going to cost , but it's where the airline makes it's money , last minute travelers!)

In OPs case it might just be cheaper to "write off" the $184 and buy a new one way ticket. Price it out and see.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

In OPs case it might just be cheaper to "write off" the $184 and buy a new one way ticket. Price it out and see.

I agree.

I'm fond of American Airlines, but I've had to pay change fees three times. It gets expensive for a family. Delta is the same.

And, yes, if you don't use a segment of your itinerary when flying on a nonrefundable fare, the rest of your ticket is cancelled by the airline.

The legacy airlines profit when passengers have to change tickets due to unplanned circumstances -- even illness, jury duty, and other unpredictable reasons.

When I think there's a chance that I might have to change anything, I try to book Southwest.

When people complain that Southwest often charges more than the legacy carriers, they need to realize that Southwest not only accepts two checked bags per passenger with no baggage fee, but also that Southwest doesn't charge a change fee when a passenger changes to a different date, time, or itinerary.

 

[got2luvtink]

I agree.

I'm fond of American Airlines, but I've had to pay change fees three times. It gets expensive for a family. Delta is the same.

And, yes, if you don't use a segment of your itinerary when flying on a nonrefundable fare, the rest of your ticket is cancelled by the airline.

The legacy airlines profit when passengers have to change tickets due to unplanned circumstances -- even illness, jury duty, and other unpredictable reasons.

When I think there's a chance that I might have to change anything, I try to book Southwest.

When people complain that Southwest often charges more than the legacy carriers, they need to realize that Southwest not only accepts two checked bags per passenger with no baggage fee, but also that Southwest doesn't charge a change fee when a passenger changes to a different date, time, or itinerary.

Ummm, why didn't I know that before I booked my flights. I just assumed since SW wasn't one of the legacy carriers, they charged for bags, and had nonrefundable flights like the rest. I was just so excited by that 184 price tag... Guess you live and you learn....

 

[goofy4tink]

This is why people get into trouble when booking flights. No one actually reads the 'fine print'. When booking a non-refundable fare, there are heavy penelties for any type of change. This is why they can offer these lower fares. They have to make money somehow.

Before booking any airfares, it is always good to check out the refund/change policy. That way, you can make an informed choice. The vast majority of airlines charge pretty stiff penelties...SW is one of the very few that don't. BUT....while you can make changes with them, you won't get a refund, you have to be happy with a SW credit, for use within 12 months.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

This is why people get into trouble when booking flights. No one actually reads the 'fine print'.

All policies are available on an airline's website, including fees for ticket changes. Too bad most people never read them.

Also, I feel why would I pay a change fee, for a flight that is not changing for us at all. The flights will stay the same whether we will be in the seats going to Orlando or not.

Is this really how it works with most carriers?

Yes. A $150 change fee per ticket is standard with most airlines. Why? You agreed to this when you purchased the tickets.

 

[azdizzymom]

Airlines will make you pay. I was on vacation years ago (15) and was on Northwest or Delta. Was having a miscarriage and was told to go back to my doctor...that doctors office had me call the airline from their office (I was in tears) so I could get change and not have to pay. I got no sympathy from airline even as doctor's office spoke with them, offered to write letter for me, etc. I ended up paying for my ticket and my 6 month old sons ticket change fee and difference...

They will get you! I am not a SW person but after reading and seeing the early bird I think we might try next time!

 

[winterman]

Ummm, why didn't I know that before I booked my flights. I just assumed since SW wasn't one of the legacy carriers, they charged for bags, and had nonrefundable flights like the rest. I was just so excited by that 184 price tag... Guess you live and you learn....

You need to pay more attention to TV commercials.

It's an expensive lesson to learn.

 

[goofy4tink]

Everyone...airlines are a business. They offer us nonrefundable fares at a price that we all like (for the most part anyway!!). We have to understand that nonrefundable means no changes, no refunds..nada, zip, bubkus. The policies are right there for all to see. If anyone wants the ability to make changes, cancel and rebook..whatever..they need to book a refundable flight.
Unfortunately, we have all gotten very used to those nice low fares. We tend to forget that sometimes 'stuff' happens, and we may need to make a change.

That's one of the reasons I fly SW so often. I can see, right when I'm looking at fares, what a fully refundable fare is going to cost vs a much lower, nonrefundable fare is. I usually book the lower fare. If I have to make a change, I can. SW doesn't charge me for that change, unless the new flight costs more..then I pay the difference. If it's lower, or I am just canceling the flight, then I get a SW credit. Not a big deal since I fly them fairly often. And not having to pay for checked bags is a huge plus. And now that they participate in RAC, well...they're almost perfect.

 

[shoes99]

Yep. That's how a nonrefundable fare works on most carriers. Don't know where they are getting the $200 per flight because the standard change fee is $150 per ticket which would be $900 total for a party of six.

Had the same experience last week. Due to illness we had to change our Delta flight by one day. I called and they said the change fee is $200 each ticket if you use an agent even if it is Delta's phone agent, $150 each if you go online and change. I went online and changed our flights. No insurance, no refund of the change fee.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Everyone...airlines are a business. They offer us nonrefundable fares at a price that we all like (for the most part anyway!!). We have to understand that nonrefundable means no changes, no refunds..nada, zip, bubkus. The policies are right there for all to see. If anyone wants the ability to make changes, cancel and rebook..whatever..they need to book a refundable flight.
Unfortunately, we have all gotten very used to those nice low fares. We tend to forget that sometimes 'stuff' happens, and we may need to make a change.

That's one of the reasons I fly SW so often. I can see, right when I'm looking at fares, what a fully refundable fare is going to cost vs a much lower, nonrefundable fare is. I usually book the lower fare. If I have to make a change, I can. SW doesn't charge me for that change, unless the new flight costs more..then I pay the difference. If it's lower, or I am just canceling the flight, then I get a SW credit. Not a big deal since I fly them fairly often. And not having to pay for checked bags is a huge plus. And now that they participate in RAC, well...they're almost perfect.

The air carriers with $150-200 per passenger change fees are trying to benefit from the misfortune of their customers. Nobody plans an having to change their tickets due to unforeseeable circumstances. We expect to be healthy and we don't expect emergencies with our families, homes, or jobs.

Something bad happens to us, and the airline makes it worse with fees that are completely out of proportion to what it costs the airline to change the ticket. Only death of the passenger or in the passenger's immediate is considered a valid reason to have the fee waived. (In some cases, travel insurance would help, but there are limits on when travel insurance will pay out.)

It's a slimy business practice, but it's obviously completely legal as long as there's a reference to "fare rules" in the booking process. It's how the legacy carriers choose to do business.

The legacy carriers also offer fully refundable fares, but these can often cost five times as much as a nonrefundable fare. Usually, the only people who pay these fares are business travelers with expense accounts, booking at the last minute.

Knowledgeable customers will increasingly choose Southwest when there's a choice.

I would be happy to see all the legacy carriers go out of business, and for Southwest and new carriers with policies similar to Southwest to take over the nation's air travel system. (I would just feel bad for the employees of the legacy carriers.)

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Of course the last time I had to change a flight on SW it would have been CHEAPER on Delta.

SW charged me the difference between my "wanna get away" fare and their walk up fare... about $400!

Delta generally charges me $150 only as long as the "Fare code" isn't sold out. Changed a few weeks ago the day prior to flight... entire fee $150 since "U" fares were not sold out on my flight

As for the airlines taking advantage... The Sob Stories Horace lists are touching but I think that MOST changes are due to "Want" or "changed my mind" not family crisis. Even OP "wants" to stay for her kids event. It's not a "bad things happened"


And the airlines used to be much more sympathetic.... but flyers lied and took advantage (AKA as "if I tell them a sob story they will give me a free change so I made one up") So those who have real issues now pay the price for abuses in the past.

 

[seashoreCM]

Long long time ago there were no non-refundable fares and there were no change fees.

There were three fares: F (first class, let's use $1000. as the sample fare). then Y (full fare coach for say $500.) and K (economy for say $400. or usually just a little less than Y).

On that scale today's non-refundable fares would start in the $100. to $200. range.

 

[DebbieB]

My last couple of trips I bought the $25 insurance with Delta. It's worth it to have piece of mind.

 

[Lisa71]

The airlines know they have you! They can charge what they want for changes and many really don't care. There is less competition for them and fewer options for us. Sorry!

 

[jsilvers]

Only death of the passenger or in the passenger's immediate is considered a valid reason to have the fee waived.

Each carrier has its own rules, so beware of generalizations. For example:

• American does appear to provide refunds of otherwise nonrefundable tickets in the event of a passenger's death or the death of a family member, but it also will issue a refund in the event of the death of traveling companions. See http://www.aa.com/i18n/Tariffs/AA1.html.
  
• In Delta's case, only a passenger's own death appears to be a basis for a refund of an otherwise nonrefundable fare. See http://images.delta.com.edgesuite.net/delta/pdfs/contract_of_carriage_dom.pdf.
  
• United's rule 105(B)(V) also limits refunds of otherwise nonrefundable fares to cases in which the passenger has died, but does provide for a change fee of only $50 in certain cases, such as the death of family members or traveling companions. See http://content.united.com/ual/asset/COC22Jun11final.pdf.