Amending your return flight date

[Siam Sam 964]

The last time I was in Thailand I had to come back to England unexpectedly and I had to change the date of my return flight. I called the agent I bought the ticket from and was charged about £300 to do this. A friend told me that I should have called the airline direct (BA) and they would have changed the return date for free. Another friend has told me that that is only possible if you have booked the ticket direct from the airline and not through an agent. So who is right?

 

I am looking at flights for our upcoming trip and because we are going to be in Thailand for a long time I was thinking it might be a good idea to book direct with Thai Airways in case I need to change the date of my return flight. It is more expensive to do this but if it saves me from an expensive change of date through an agent it is probably worth it for peace of mind. Another option would be to get an "open" ticket with no definite return date. I'd have to check whether this is more or less expensive than booking direct with the airline if you can indeed change the return date for free if you book direct with them and not through an agent. Please help, any advice is welcomed.

[Evil Penevil 7,628]

Every airline ticket has a fare (basis) code that begins with a letter like F, J, C, Y, B, H, Y, M, K, L, W, S, N, Q, O, U, V, X, etc. The initial letter indicates not only the class of cabin service (First, Business, Premium Economy, Economy) but also the restrictions on the fare, i.e., refunds in case all or part of the ticket isn't used and fees for changes to travel dates. Seats in the Economy Cabin may have anywhere from seven to 13 different fare codes, depending on how flexible the ticket is. Each fare code has its own rules regarding refunds and changing travel dates.

 

Basically, the cheaper the ticket is, the more restrictions it carries. The most heavily discounted tickets on some airlines are not refundable or changeable for any reason; others carry stiff fees for changes to travel dates. It's the fare code, rather than whether you buy the ticket through an agent or directly from the airline, that determines how much you pay and how flexible the ticket is.

 

When you get a quote for an air fare, the most important thing is to check the rules associated with its fare code. That will tell you the restrictions on that particular ticket. It doesn't matter who sells you the ticket, it's the fare code that determines restrictions.

 

That said, airlines are usually more willing to make exceptions to the rules if you have bought the ticket directly from them rather than from an agent, online booking service, bucket shop, etc. Also, the guys who think they've found bargains on line that are much cheaper than the airlines' own Web sites are just buying a heavily discounted ticket with more restrictions.

 

Bottom line: there are seldom any cases when it isn't best to buy your ticket directly from the airline.

 

Evil

[Goldpanner 399]

If you buy bargain basement tickets, most of them will be non-changeable, non refundable. As stated, before you pay up, check the conditions

[yselmike 378]

I have a ticket for January with EVA return from Amsterdam

it only cost 601 euro,basically it's a use it or lose it ticket I knew it when I booked with the airline.they call it an "economic saver" code T I think.

[teelack 9,352]

If you buy bargain basement tickets, most of them will be non-changeable, non refundable. As stated, before you pay up, check the conditions

 

...and in addition to that where I hail from there are no air points either, not that I give a hoot as I will always look for the best deal. I hate to think what I would have spent extra over the years when in essence I have never had an situation arise where a cheap ticket was an issue.

[jacko 8,778]

I have changed the date of my return flight quite a few times in Biz class, usually with tickets bought directly from the airlines with Middle East carriers. There is a hefty charge involved which is normally made clear at the time of booking, and depends on the class of the ticket. It can be 5000 baht, or a few hundred pounds. They also warn that there must be the same class of seat available on the flight you want to change to, else you could also be hit with an upgrade charge on top. (If the plane is pretty full you can be sure there will be no seats at the cheaper end available)

It is swings and roundabouts whether paying higher class more flexible fare with say free/cheaper rescheduling will work out better, as they are substantially more expensive initially. I don't like the option of introducing an intermediary agent unless it is a shop with good personal realtions you have used for a while. I would certinly not recommend Expedia, they are dishonest and difficult to deal with, and the carrier insists you deal with them.

Edited September 25, 2016 by jacko

[Goldpanner 399]

Im a Cheap Charlie. I always fly economy. Get on plane, eat food, take sleeping pill, wake up for breakfast. Always worked for me.

I can eaily afford Business class but just wont pay it

[Siam Sam 964]

Every airline ticket has a fare (basis) code that begins with a letter like F, J, C, Y, B, H, Y, M, K, L, W, S, N, Q, O, U, V, X, etc. The initial letter indicates not only the class of cabin service (First, Business, Premium Economy, Economy) but also the restrictions on the fare, i.e., refunds in case all or part of the ticket isn't used and fees for changes to travel dates. Seats in the Economy Cabin may have anywhere from seven to 13 different fare codes, depending on how flexible the ticket is. Each fare code has its own rules regarding refunds and changing travel dates.

 

Basically, the cheaper the ticket is, the more restrictions it carries. The most heavily discounted tickets on some airlines are not refundable or changeable for any reason; others carry stiff fees for changes to travel dates. It's the fare code, rather than whether you buy the ticket through an agent or directly from the airline, that determines how much you pay and how flexible the ticket is.

 

When you get a quote for an air fare, the most important thing is to check the rules associated with its fare code. That will tell you the restrictions on that particular ticket. It doesn't matter who sells you the ticket, it's the fare code that determines restrictions.

 

That said, airlines are usually more willing to make exceptions to the rules if you have bought the ticket directly from them rather than from an agent, online booking service, bucket shop, etc. Also, the guys who think they've found bargains on line that are much cheaper than the airlines' own Web sites are just buying a heavily discounted ticket with more restrictions.

 

Bottom line: there are seldom any cases when it isn't best to buy your ticket directly from the airline.

 

Evil

 

Excellent answer. Thank you. I'll be buying my tickets direct from the airline I think!

[Goldpanner 399]

 

Excellent answer. Thank you. I'll be buying my tickets direct from the airline I think!

 

But dont forget to make sure you ask for a ticket that is changeble, and dont be surprised if you are asked to pay more.

[jacko 8,778]

 

But dont forget to make sure you ask for a ticket that is changeble, and dont be surprised if you are asked to pay more.

On the Emirates website for example you see the options(Fare Class) available and if you hover over get a summary of the T/Cs and usually it lists the charges for changes.

[firth1974 2,659]

I have recently flown KLM to Osaka and back. I wanted to change the timing of my flight from LHR to AMS to an earlier flight.( Just fancied an evening in Amsterdam, rather than a nights sleep only). I contacted KLM on their website, and they told me if i wanted to change, i had to do that through the agent i bought the ticket off, which so happened to be eBookers. I didn't bother in the end, mainly because of the hassle involved doing it.

 

A few years back, i was booked on one of the very first Emirates flights to Clark when there started this operation for the first time.Through a work issue, i had to change all my flights dates by one week. Emirates insisted i went back to my original booking agent to do this, which just so happened to be eBookers again. Changed it with them, all 4 segments, and it only cost me £75 in total!

 

You need flexabililty in your ticket, book direct with the airline, not an agent!

[captcraig2 120]

Why not just purchase a ticket with an open return? might be a bit more expensive but it's gonna cost either way you look at it.

[Siam Sam 964]

I phoned an agent that were offering the cheapest flights on Skyscanner for Thai Airways and she told me that "open" tickets don't exist any more. Apparently if you want to change your return date then you have to purchase a ticket that has a return date but is also valid for 12 months and the return date can be changed at any time during the 12 months. I'm not sure I believe this because she then said if I wanted to amend the return date in Thailand it would cost me £150 for each person plus the difference between the tax on the two flights which could mean more than £200 per person.

[jacko 8,778]

Why not just purchase a ticket with an open return? might be a bit more expensive but it's gonna cost either way you look at it.

You don't really get that selection on the websites these days.

The price for a fully flexible ticket is substantially more. I was actually looking at the options only recently..

[Siam Sam 964]

The agent I spoke to on Monday is full of shit. I've just booked flights direct with Thai Airways and the return flights can be amended for £75 per person when we are in Thailand. Open tickets don't exist in the way that you have to give them a return date but you can pay extra so that you can have the type of ticket that can be amended so effectively you do have an open ticket.

[Butch 3,456]

Even a majority of the saver fares booked direct with EVA allow a change of date for 25 quid plus the addition of any other charges with regard to a change of ticketing status, so for example if you've booked a cheap ticket , but you change your return date and the only tickets that are still available are of a slightly more expensive type (but still the same cabin class) then you pay the difference.

 

I recently had to change my return date with EVA, it cost me 25 quid plus another 63 because there were no more fares left at the fare basis I did, thus they stung me for a bit more.

 

Agree 100% that dealing directly with the airline is the way forward. I've had nothing but headaches dealing with Travel agents , especially recently, so since a few years ago we just go direct to Cathay or whomever we fly with.

[bigbadbaz 69]

I got a deal through Skyscanner for a biz class flight with Qatar, Dec 10th to 26th £1470.

 

I got chance to go 2 days earlier so rang them up and to change the date and they wanted about £1140 so I'm still going on the 10th

[Fireman Sam 336]

I got a deal through Skyscanner for a biz class flight with Qatar, Dec 10th to 26th £1470.

I got chance to go 2 days earlier so rang them up and to change the date and they wanted about £1140 so I'm still going on the 10th

 

Cracking fare that bigbadbaz, especially departing early December when most airlines are starting to increase their fare structure.

 

 

 

Regards

[jacko 8,778]

I got a deal through Skyscanner for a biz class flight with Qatar, Dec 10th to 26th £1470.

 

I got chance to go 2 days earlier so rang them up and to change the date and they wanted about £1140 so I'm still going on the 10th

I looked up a Qatar Biz Class flight for Nov/Jun17 Ex Manchester and was quoted a bloody fortune, so you have a good fare there. Did you actually book through Qatar or another agent? Skyscanner does not actually do the bookings.

[Goldpanner 399]

Skyscanner is simply a Screenscraper. Though I always use it to find the best agent and price.

[bigbadbaz 69]

I looked up a Qatar Biz Class flight for Nov/Jun17 Ex Manchester and was quoted a bloody fortune, so you have a good fare there. Did you actually book through Qatar or another agent? Skyscanner does not actually do the bookings.[/quote

 

Been in Vegas for a week so not been on, the link on Skyscanner sent me to Travel up and I booked with them, with the cheap fare you take a hit on the air miles but for £500 I don't really care.

 

The prices started to rise from Mon the 12th December

Edited November 8, 2016 by bigbadbaz