<p>Our family of four bought some airline tickets to Europe-only to see the fare now dropped almost $200 per ticket! Ouch! I called the airline to see if they’ll credit us the price difference-they said no. I was wondering if there any tricks to get them to give you some credit or perks to compensate for the price difference.</p>
<p>Sunnsea, not really. Pricing is based on demand. Some airlines…Southwest for one will give you a credit for the difference between the new lower fare and the higher fare you originally booked. I have not found that to be the case with American or other airlines.</p>
<p>Find out what the “change penalty” is. If it’s less than $200/ticket, and you can take a different flight either way, that strategy may work.</p>
<p>The change fee is $250.</p>
<p>Those b*stards!</p>
<p>a\have you asked for a credit for future use? dh has gotten credits frequently - not refunds but credits to be used on future flights. good luck!</p>
<p>sunnsea, this happened to us recently with Continental and we could get no satisfaction, other than I vowed never to fly with Continental again. I am also determined never to make reservations far in advance anymore. In this economy it seems like waiting is the best course in terms of prices go down. Good luck and let us know if you get any satisfaction.</p>
<p>I’ll definitely try and ask for a future travel credit tomorrow. The airline this time is Northwest/Delta.</p>
<p>United issued me $500 worth vouchers for fare difference following a price drop. You must identify that exact fare basis is now cheaper. Go to Yapta.com to learn the mechanics of the process (Yapta automates the fare tracking task.)</p>
<p>Also, buying tickets through Orbitz provides some protection in case pricing drops (another Orbitz customer must purchase the same itinerary at a lower price). On the plus side, Orbitz automatically tracks pricing and credits you the difference. <a href=“http://crankyflier.com/2008/08/13/orbitz-price-assurance-has-plenty-of-holes-but-still-marginally-useful/[/url]”>http://crankyflier.com/2008/08/13/orbitz-price-assurance-has-plenty-of-holes-but-still-marginally-useful/</a></p>
<p>I may be the lone dissenting voice, but here goes. I agree it’s a tough break. I also agree there is no harm in requesting a flight change or credits. Maybe even no harm in asking a couple times because one representative might tell you “no” and the next one might tell you “yes”.
Where I disagree is with those who may feel the airline <em>owes it to you</em> and that if they do not credit you then you’ll never use them again. Really? Somehow they are failing their obligation? What obligation? Are your principles THAT strong, on the right and wrong of adjusting a ticket price after the purchase? Or worded another way, if the price went up, would you call them to insist your ticket went up too- or would you think you bought in at a lucky time? Does the principle for not changing/not changing fares for a ticket already purchased only count if it helps the customer; or is a principle true for both angles? If you’d want it only one way, then it really isn’t a principle is it? It would then be a me me me.</p>
<p>Sunnsea-we had some luck with Delta giving us a refund last fall when air fare dropped drastically. Try calling on a Sat morning–that is when we called. Also, try calling more than one time and speaking to more than one rep-previous poster is correct in that you may get different responses from different reps. I know it is very frustrating–sometimes it seems that making airline reservations is liking going to a casino and gambling, at least when dealing with some airlines. Good Luck!</p>
<p>I had luck in the past getting credit towards another flight when (a) asking for a manager in customer service and (b) offering to write a letter or email of appreciation on their behalf to their supervisor. They do something nice for you, you return the favor. Very effective.</p>
<p>Since you are flying to Europe, I would try to get them to upgrade you to 1st class or at least business. It stinks that you can’t get a refund, but it won’t s*ck as much when you have leg room and the seats that turn into beds, so when you arrive you are refreshed and don’t have neck aches. It will probably be difficult to get all 4, but maybe at least 2. Bullet and I went to Italy with our 3 kids in 06 (once in a life time vacation, and my dream…Winter Olympics in Turin) . First class really makes a huge difference on how you feel 8 hours later when you arrive.</p>
<p>I’ve tried everything suggested, so far all I hear is, “sorry, No”. In regards to the timing of buying of the tickets, we didn’t buy very far in advance, only about 10 weeks out. The fare stayed the same pretty much the whole time since the purchase, now it’s two weeks out and it dropped like a rock.</p>
<p>Airtran use to let you change for free and keep the credit for future use. Now they charge you $75. Airtran tickets often don’t cost much more than that so it is almost pointless to bother. </p>
<p>Southwest Air, I believe, still lets you change and get the credit for future travel for free.</p>
<p>JetBlue gave me a credit when I was in the same situation, but that was a domestic flight. they were very pleasant about it; no hassle.</p>
<p>I think too, that Southwest air gives credit for price changes. But since Southwest doesn’t fly to Europe, that comparison really isn’t valid.</p>