Drop in Airfare Price after Purchase

[reggiemcp]

Hi

Just a question, when checking on my flight info, seem times keep changing, noted that it is now $60 less then when I purchased tickets. Can I call airlines (American) and ask for a credit or do I stand a snowball's chance in hell?

Usually we fly Jet Blue (love them) but their fares for early May were over 900 for 3 of us from NYC and AA was much cheaper. Never flown them before so not sure what the policy is.

Thanks. Counting down the days they are going way to slow...................

 

[bicker]

It depends on the airline and depends on the fare class rules. American indeed has a wide range of fare classes, with a wide range of rules. With some, you can get a full refund, no questions asked, so in that case you can surely get whatever fare reduction refunded back to you. On the other extreme, there are some fare classes with very substantial change fees, some as high as 100%. (I have a fare from US Airways last year with a 100% change fee -- basically if you needed to change your flight, you just threw the ticket [and the money] away and started over.) Generally, the fee is a set amount; I believe the going rate is $50 per ticket. However, check the fare class rules very carefully to be sure what it would "cost" you to get refunded for a difference in fare.

 

[NJDad18]

I would call the airline. You may get the difference in the form of a voucher for future use. It can't hurt to ask. The worst they'll say is no. The only hang up with the voucher is that you need to redeem them at the airport or with a travel agent. You can't use them for online purchases. What I did in the past with US Airways was to make a reservation online and put it on hold and then go to the airport to make the purchase where I was able to use the vouchers.

 

[SuzanneSLO]

Hi

Just a question, when checking on my flight info, seem times keep changing, noted that it is now $60 less then when I purchased tickets. Can I call airlines (American) and ask for a credit or do I stand a snowball's chance in hell? ...................

For most of its deep discount flights, American has a $100\per ticket change fee, but you should check the rules associated with your ticket to make sure. In general, if the fare decrease is greater than the change fee, you wil be credited the difference in a voucher.

With a $60 decrease, you would usually not be entitled to anything, but that may not be true in your case. You said that the airline also changed your flight times. Due to the change in flight times, you may be entitled to a full refund. If so, you could rebook on American at the cheaper rate without paying a change fee. Instead of requesting a refund, you can also ask for a change in the flights to times that now suit you better.

Call American and discuss your options.

Best of luck -- Suzanne