Refundable Airfare?

[PatsGirl]

I've been looking for airfare BOS-SAT for several weeks now to attend DS's Air Force BMT graduation which is LIKELY to take place October 10th. Everything I read tells me that any number of things can delay graduation and that we should buy refundable tickets. Well, unless I am doing something wrong, ticket prices are at least triple that of restricted airfare. I've always purchased the least expensive seats I could for my "vacation trips" knowing that only a true emergency would keep me from going. Any tips on how to go about getting a good "refundable" fare? I checked insurance sites as well but can't find "any reason to cancel" insurance. Please Help! TIA. Brenda

 

[Inkmahm]

I think you're out of luck. If it were me, I'd purchase the cheaper non refundalble fair and then pay the change fee if absolutely necessary to change the ticket later.

 

[PatsGirl]

Well, that's an option and one I keep throwing around because every few days the airfare drops to under $250 and then jumps again about $100...

what is it about refundable airfare that I'm not getting though? wouldn't it be considered rather stupid to buy it if a change rate is $100 or so or take the loss of the ticket even for MUCH less than a refundable fare?

 

[CarolA]

As someone who often had to buy refundable... that's the model. They cost a LOT more.

You might try PVD to SAT on SW. Otherwise you can buy and take the risk of a change or pay a lot. Not sure what I would do!

 

[jlewisinsyr]

Refundable are pretty close or equal to full fare price, so pretty much the price is the price. You're not going to find much in terms of discounts/cheaper prices with other websites.

Most coverages have a vague reason like this:

Unexpected or unintended circumstances, which are those events or consequences that could not have been reasonably foreseen or expected by the Covered Person, are outside the Covered Person’s control and reasonably and substantially impair the Covered Person’s ability to travel. These circumstances must be other than injury, illness, disease, death, Financial Default or any coverage exclusion. For active duty members of the United States Armed Forces, unexpected or unintended circumstances will include official (written) revocation by a Unit Commanding Officer of previously approved (written) leave which is not due to war-related situations, full or partial mobilization or mass reassignment of Armed Forces personnel or invocation of the War Powers Act;

I would think you would have a hard time justifying this reason with a graduation though (regardless of the type).

 

[Inkmahm]

Well, that's an option and one I keep throwing around because every few days the airfare drops to under $250 and then jumps again about $100...

what is it about refundable airfare that I'm not getting though? wouldn't it be considered rather stupid to buy it if a change rate is $100 or so or take the loss of the ticket even for MUCH less than a refundable fare?

I don't think you're missing a thing! You're right, it would make no sense to pay 3 times the cost just to get the refundable option when a change fee is much less than that.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

what is it about refundable airfare that I'm not getting though? wouldn't it be considered rather stupid to buy it if a change rate is $100 or so or take the loss of the ticket even for MUCH less than a refundable fare?

Refundable's usually have no change fees associated with them, they're much more flexible and upgradeable at lower costs then other fares. If someone is going to be bumped without wanting to it would be the lower fares and if someone needs to be upgraded free it would the refundable fare (keeping in mind traveler award programs). There are also some other benefits like more luggage checking as the luggage count restrictions are less restrictive as you go up the fare chart.

 

[CarolA]

They are also all they sell if you wait until the last minute to book.

It's known as the "profit" for the airline LOL!

 

[PatsGirl]

Thanks everyone, I think I better jump on the $230 price I found today and keep my fingers crossed. Appreciate everyone's input. Brenda

 

[Hedy]

Thanks everyone, I think I better jump on the $230 price I found today and keep my fingers crossed. Appreciate everyone's input. Brenda

Just a thought-have you checked out trip insurance-I was able to get "cancel for any reason" coverage for around $60 on insuremytrip.com

 

[bicker]

Indeed, the only way the airlines make any money whatsoever is because a few people actually do pay "triple". The airlines would be in far, far worst shape if everyone did the non-refundable thing.

 

[PatsGirl]

I'll recheck insure my trip for that insurance, I couldn't locate the "cancel for any reason" policies a few days ago so thanks, I thought maybe they didn't exist.

 

[bavaria]

And for some of us even the higher refundable fare makes sense, because we change tickets so often.

I have made seven or eight changes on one ticket alone; at $150 a change, that adds up. In that example, a refundable ticket was a better value.

Many business travellers have no choice but to purchase refundable tickets, and often they do end up being better value than change fees.

 

[SuzanneSLO]

Also, if you need to change your ticket, in addition to the change fee (as high as $150 on some airlines), you also have to pay any difference in fare for the new flight. So, a last minute change may cost you more than just the change fee. Best of luck -- Suzanne

 

[Lewisc]

Southwest has no change fees. The credit is transferable, although you're not supposed to sell it.

SW doesn't fly out of Boston but they fly out of Manchester NH and Providence RI.

 

[PatsGirl]

Well, I bit the bullet and purchased 3 RT on Continental for $240/each, a price I thought was reasonable for Boston-San Antonio. Now I'll just have to keep my fingers crossed

Insurance ran about $65/ticket for a 75% refund, making it a total of $127 if we need to cancel. I'm not going to bother. Change fee is $150--figure I'll take my chances. I do believe we have 15 days to add insurance so if anything looks ominous in that time, I'll have to rethink.

Thanks for everyone's help. Brenda

 

[PatsGirl]

I've been checking SW for many weeks and their prices are more than double that of Continental and American I think the cheapest I could do was $370 and the times were not very good. Thanks. Brenda