Several airlines in the past have had (often unwritten) policies where they would allow someone to get a refund or flight credit if a fare goes down after purchase. The day, flight number, and fare class would generally need to be identical.
My data point: 36 hours ago, I bought a ticket from Continental that has now dropped by ~$50. I have not been able to get the price reduced (unless I pay the $150 change fee, of course). I will try again later to see if I get a different agent, but I am not holding my breath.
With the current state of the airlines, I would guess that many are no longer allowing this.
How have your experiences been with getting fares reducing more than 24 hours after purchasing them? Anyone have good tips and tricks (numbers to call or email addresses)?
That has been the case for quite a while. Almost all airlines charge their change fee on any of their non-full fare "discounted" tickets. Southwest is one of the only exceptions that I am aware of.
ramkyk
Loyal Member
posted: Oct. 9, 2009 @ 6:06a
I have got credit for the change before. They did not refund the difference to my credit card but they gave me some united credit which I should use within one year, and you have to go to a airport to use it as it is not transferrable.
ramkyk said: I have got credit for the change before. They did not refund the difference to my credit card but they gave me some united credit which I should use within one year, and you have to go to a airport to use it as it is not transferrable.
As of earlier this year, most airlines had added the requirement that the $150 or $200 change fee is charged, so your savings needed to top that. The lone holdouts at the time were United and Alaska Airlines. I know United caved and now charges. It wouldn't shock me if Alaska Airlines has done the same.
Go to yapta.com as this was (is?) their specialty.
McVick
New Member
posted: Oct. 14, 2009 @ 3:42p
I had a similar problem about a week ago. Continental dropped the price of my ticket by almost $70 overnight. Since I was just out of the 24 Hour window, they told me the same thing that I could pay the change fee of $150. After being upset by this, I called their complaints department to voice my frustration about this policy and how other airlines (JetBlue, Southwest, Virgin America, etc.) as well as travel sites such as Orbitz refund you the difference.
The person on the other end informed me that they DO have such a policy. They could not refund me the difference back to my credit card, but would send me the difference in a voucher form. I was given a confirmation code over the phone and was told that it will be mailed to me as well.
I think that this might be a YMMV situation, but try calling their customer support number and being directed to their complaints department. Hope this helps.
McVick said: I had a similar problem about a week ago. Continental dropped the price of my ticket by almost $70 overnight. Since I was just out of the 24 Hour window, they told me the same thing that I could pay the change fee of $150. After being upset by this, I called their complaints department to voice my frustration about this policy and how other airlines (JetBlue, Southwest, Virgin America, etc.) as well as travel sites such as Orbitz refund you the difference.
The person on the other end informed me that they DO have such a policy. They could not refund me the difference back to my credit card, but would send me the difference in a voucher form. I was given a confirmation code over the phone and was told that it will be mailed to me as well.
I think that this might be a YMMV situation, but try calling their customer support number and being directed to their complaints department. Hope this helps. The voucher program for over 24hrs after purchasing the ticket has always been the policy. Still, airlines are now charging the change fee while issuing the voucher.
However, your action that I bolded is always a good idea. Yapta.com indicates that Continental charges $150 to issue the voucher, but by calling them you got this waived. I had a similar result when I booked on United through Expedia. Although United had a no-fee voucher policy, they insisted the ticket be reissued via Expedia which charges a $200 change fee. After some back-and-forth with Expedia and United, United eventually sent me a voucher with no fee.
Continental gives you a voucher for (difference-$50)... I have done it 2 times so far.... Check the booking class when you do it. Fare rules may changes when you do this...
McVick
New Member
posted: Oct. 15, 2009 @ 5:51p
Just as an update to my post, I received the vouchers in the mail yesterday. Quick turnaround
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