To make it more complex, there is a difference between " policy" and "rules." Yes I know, what can be more confusing than studying and researching the difference between these 2 terms in the industry. Kinda like torts versus crimes.
Airlines sale their tickets in fares, not in time blocks or dates. They have this complicated formula of price according the number of available seats. To make it simple for understanding, I will use this example:
An airplane has 10 seats going from point A to B. And that same airplane will travel to point C after B, with the same 10 seats respectfully. The 1st seat is seat 1 and the 2nd is seat 2 and so forth. Obviously the 1st seat to sell is seat number 1, it will be the cheapest, say $100. After that one is sold, the next available one is seat 2, which is $200. In this example, seat 10, the last one, will be sold for $1,000, the most expensive. But alas, there is a kink in the formula. The persons who do the marketing, may calculate that seat 9 and 10 do not sell often enough on this trip so they reduce the price to entice more revenue.
The problem with this is: if one purchased a fare (ticket) already, then that person will be given the "full" fare quote price if a change is requested along with the change fees. But if one is a new purchaser, the sale price is given. Same thing applies when going to point C from B. the higher fare will be calculated.
Be aware, the ticket agents really believe that the fare quote that is given in the computer, after some complex calculating (since that is not displayed simply) is the cheapest. But often, they are mistaken. Sometimes going to another agent may produce different results. It may be the agent, it may be the timing. It is impossible to figure out what produces the best price. It is very very complicated.
If one purchased seat 3 from A to B and then to C but wants to change, then it gets sticky. Not only will you be "fined" for the change but you will have to pay the next highest fare available. If the only seats available is 9 and 10 between B and C on the change flight, then you may have to purchase fare 9 or 10 on segment A to B also, even if fare 4 is available because they have these fare "rules" that will say something like, fare 3 or 4 can not be used with fare 9 and 10. you have to pay "full price."
Silly huh? I disagree with this practice and disgusted with the fact that many of the agents are not trained to figure this out to best help the passenger. Many truly do not understand the complicated computer language that is displayed as"
01AA3205Y22MARSFOLAXDS2 001234655483723443
02F94505G22MARLAXYYZDS1 008000033888747737
and if something is not put in the right place, then an error message is given and the agent has to start over. the error is not stated, one just has to figure it out.
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