[ceeemvee]

The return portion only of a round-trip flight from Phoenix to Spokane was cancelled. There was a $169.40 charge to do this, with the assumption that there was credit available to be applied to future travel. However, it appears that there is no credit available for future travel and this charge was merely a USAir fee that we incurred for being polite enough to cancel the reservation. This absurd charge is unwarranted and excessive to say the least. Instead, my boss should have merely not shown up for the flight. I called USAir's customer service department (Audrey, whose ID number is AU), and frankly I would be hard-pressed to remember when I have been spoken to so rudely.

[PHXFlyer]

With respect to US Airways there is a difference when canceling the return of a round-trip versus canceling a completely unused ticket. The value of an unused ticket can be applied to any new itinerary. The remainder of a round-trip can usually only be applied to the same city pairs. So if you planned to fly from Phoenix to New York and back but cancel the return trip the "value" of the unused part of that ticket can usually just be used for a trip from New York back to Phoenix. You couldn't, for example. apply it towards the purchase of a new round-trip ticket nor could you use it for a one-way from Phoenix to New York. Now there are exceptions to this rule (ticket was priced using two one-way fares, etc.) but generally that's how it goes.

US Airways does not deduct the $150 change fee from the "balance" of the unused ticket. The ticket can be re-booked up to one year from it's issue date and you pay the $150 fee at the time it is re-booked. Just hang on to the ticket number that was originally e-mailed to you.

[ceeemvee]

We paid $150 to cancel just the return (no change to the outbound flight). There is a $300 credit due to the fare difference. However, there was also a $150 fee to cancel the return, and if we ever attempt to use the $300 credit, we will be charged $150 AGAIN (yes, that is what they said). Not to mention there is some kind of other fee of $16 that we were charged. That is ridiculous!

[wjfmsmith]

It was necessary for me to cancel a return trip in June on Frontier Airlines from New York to Denver because my husband was rehospitalized. I sent a doctor's letter explaining this. When I went to rebook for the next cancer treatment in August using my credit of $559.20 , I was told by the airline that I could not use the credit to cover the change fees, even though the ticket cost is only $469.20. In other words, Frontier insists on keeping the $ 90 balance and charging me an additional $ 100 . This after we have flown on Frontier eight times since Dec 2008 from Denver to New York for cancer treatments, paying change fees and ticket price increases several times.

[EXCO]

There is a way out of paying change fees...pay the full-fare economy ticket price and you will eliminate the hassle. Now...check the difference in price between a full Y ticket and a non-refundable ticket and determine if the lower price is worth the risks of possible change.

[Freediverflier]

There is another way out of paying change fees:
Switch airline.
I own a small business and starting next January will need to commute weekly between Charleston CHS and Norfolk ORF. I determined that US Air had good fares after some research and some convenience factor...Test:
On a weekend trip scheduled 10/29/2010 I had to cancel last minute to FLL from CHS I was informed of the $150 change fee. The fare I paid was $245.
Since I'm a Delta Medallion member, a Continental Gold elite passenger, I assumed given the new route starting in January that all my miles were going to go to USAIR from this point forward. Not anymore.
Yes I got a good deal on the fare + was explicitly notified there is a change fee $$ penalty but that doesn't mean I like it.
Southwest begins service in CHS in March, no change fees. Delta has the same fares or better. US Air was merely a small convenience given their hub in CLT. But not for $150 per change fee. US Airways loss, another airlines gain: + - $14,000 per year in fares X 2 years. My impression is it's their loss.
If anyone is listening here is your change to react: ticket #03724055573545

[jimworcs]

They will not react. The markets are carved up. Only regulation will bring these monsters under control.