How can I change a flight and avoid the outrageous change fees?

Question

I am flying Air France/KLM/Delta and need to change my flight. The change fees are outrageous, and I was wondering if anyone knew any tricks for how to avoid these fees or how to get a booking agent to waive them. Thanks!

Answer 1

If you are asking then you probably have a ticket that requires a change fee and there's no getting around that unless you paid premium prices for a higher grade ticket that is changeable and refundable. What also comes into play is if the flight you want to change to costs more, you would have to pay the difference; if it's the same, there shouldn't be any additional fee, and if it is less than your original flight cost, then you might even get a credit towards a future flight with that airline but it's usually with a time restriction from the date of the new flight booking.

Answer 2

You can ask nicely and maybe you'll find that the agent you're talking to has some sympathy, but that's pretty rare, even when you have a good reason. That's the risk in buying a non-refundable ticket - changes to it comes with hefty fees.

Answer 3

There is no way

Answer 4

"Outrageous", maybe but YOU agreed to then when you purchased a non-refundable / restricted ticket. If you didn't read the details, it's not the airline's fault.



The simple solution is next time, pay up for a "flexible" ticket without change fees.

Answer 5

There are no tricks. The airlines have consumers over a barrel. They collude to have the same charges and policies. You'll have pay the fee- or take the flight.

Answer 6

ha. but no.

Short of committing fraud, no. You could claim your credit card was stolen. but when you rebook your ticket, it will be obvious it wasn't

Answer 7

You probably can't. You can ask to speak with a manager but unless you have a really really really good reason you are s.o.l