non-refundable airfare tickets

[Mary Diehl]

Has anyone ever purchased airline tickets at a non-refundable price and then regretted it later only to find tickets at half that price. I just gave our travel agent the o.k. to book airline tickets from Pa to Orlando for $213pp round trip non-refundable. She said if I didn't book them within 24hrs. they had the potential of going up to $283pp. I'm not a gambler so I said o.k. Although, the price didn't sound too bad, I've been reading posts of people getting airfare as cheap as $98pp. What a bummer!!! We did purchase insurance when we booked our flight. I'm sure it won't cover this should we decide to look for a cheaper flight. Anyone have any suggestions.

 

[thewiz49]

I've read on this and other sites that although you can not get cash, that if the cost of the ticket (a non-refundable) has been reduced the airline will issue a credit voucher for the difference (with maybe a change fee withheld). The voucher being good for addition air travel on that airline. Check and see...

 

[wheatenwalker]

I bought tickets for Buffalo to Orlando for 151 a piece, r/t. Weds they were 133 r/t, today they are 114 r/t. I called and have vouchers for $38 a ticket. I am not a gambler either, and thought 150 was a great rate. 98 is unbelievable!!!! Call, you can probalbly get a voucher.

 

[B3LM]

You didn't say when your trip is, but I purchased our non-refundable tickets in January for our November trip. I knew that I was taking a big chance of finding the fare lower at a later date, but I wanted to book early because we're flying out the day after Thanksgiving. I have been checking almost daily since then and I haven't found them any cheaper, yet, for the dates that we're flying.

I don't know if that info helps you much, but I just thought I'd add my two cents worth.

Good luck!
Beth

 

[PamOKW]

B3LM you are wise to purchase your tickets at any reasonable fare. Around holiday times (especially Christmas) as you get closer to the flight date you are lucky to get a seat at all, let alone a decent fare.

The rest of the year, you take your chances.

 

[TinkerbellRules]

One time when I flew in March, the airfare went down about $40. I happened to be at the airport and mentioned it to the ticket person for the airline. She gave me the credit on my credit card. It doesn't hurt to ask when the fares go down!

check travelocity.com for fare prices (I hope that's the site!) What airline are you flying? Sign up to check their rates when fares go down. They will email you with fares.

 

[Mary Diehl]

We are flying on US Air. The same airline we usually use. I don't know if it's because of the travel agent we use. It seems to be the popular one. We are flying out of Allentown, Pa on April 25, 2002. I did check US Air's website and they did have that same exact flight listed ,actually at a couple dollars more than what we paid. I just feel if we had waited, we probably could have gotten a cheaper rate. I guess you could drive yourself nuts trying to find a cheaper rate- there's always going to be one that's cheaper. I heard if you call the airline several days before you leave, and let them know you are traveling with kids, you can request a kids meal. Has anyone heard about this. Is it free?

 

[Obi-Wan Pinobi]

This is more of a Transportation board thread, so I'm going to move it over there. I know there are some travel industry professionals that should be able to help out.

 

[vicb]

Mary Diehl,

I too am struggling with this issue. My travel dates are not flexible and although the tickets are a bit higher than I wanted to pay I am beginning to think it is worth the extra $ for peace of mind. Also it seems you will always pay more to fly non-stop and at reasonable hours (not 6am.....never again with DS!)

 

[Disnydad]

Yes!! We had 2 round trip tickets on Southwest for our August trip that we made back in May. They were at $215.50 (RT) each. Today I called and they gave us the discount price. Now we are at $109.50 each (RT). We have a credit with the airline for future tickets (November) for $212.

 

[Mary Diehl]

Disnydad,
The way it sounds, you got your tickets at the discounted rate plus they gave you a credit for next time. How did you do that? Were your tickets non-refundable? Ours is non-refundable and were told we can't change them. We got them through our travel agent. Should I constantly nag our travel agent to check the rates and see if she could get us a discount or should I call the airline myself occasionally and see if the rates dropped?

 

[Disnydad]

Mine are "non-refundable". I just can not get the money back. I must use the credit with Southwest within one year. I have not used a travel agent for years. If you buy them through a travel agent, any changes have to go through the agent.

 

[Rpsemont]

Disney Dad,
Keep in mind the $98 fares are for travel in August and september only. Since you're flying in April, when you compare fares you must compare with other April fares. I would sign up for travelocity's fare watcher and get the e-mail notification. Then as your date gets closer if you're notified of a lower fare you can see if you can get a credit voucher. Your travel agent might not do this, you may need to do it directly with the airline and the one time I did it I had to go to the airport.

 

[Disnydad]

I'm not flying in April. I'm flying in August and using the credit from that for our November trip. Also, by that time we will qualify for a free RT ticket through our Southwest Rapid Rewards program. So by then the four of us will fly for about the price of two. I never use a travel agent now. I've always gotten better deals direct from the airlines web sites.

 

[Beverly Lynn]

if you buy a tktk thru a travel agent or thru the 800 nbr and the fare goes down you may get the difference in fares in a voucher to use towards your next flight. if you buy it on the internet they still give you the difference but you must call the 800 nbr associated with that websight. (meaning usairs itnernet sight, expedia, etc. ) now if you have bought your tkts another way different from the internet and the new sale is for internet only then they more than likely will not give you the refund on the difference. they do not like to give the refunds unless the sale is for the same way purchased. (I hope everyone understands this) the fare you got was actually pretty good. keep an eye out and if the fare goes down get the difference back!