
Differences in air fares can be substantial. Fares change all the time, and if the fare you paid goes down before you fly, some airlines will refund the difference (or give you a transportation credit for that amount). After you buy your ticket, call the airline or travel agent once or twice before departure to check the fare. You may also have to pay any difference in air fares if your fare-type is not available on the new flight. Many fares also have a penalty for changing flights or dates even if you don't want a refund. In many cases you can apply your ticket to another trip in the future, but there may be a steep fee. Most discount fares are non-refundable if you buy one of these fares and you later cancel your trip, you will not get your money back. Ask whether your ticket will be good on another carrier at no extra charge if your flight is canceled or experiences a lengthy delay, and whether the first airline will pay for meals or a hotel room during the wait. If you have a connection involving two airlines, ask whether your bags will be transferred. Airlines include information on these fees on their web sites. Be aware that many airlines charge extra for checked baggage, advance seat assignments, meals, or other services. Also, a connection (change of planes) or a one-stop flight is sometimes cheaper than a nonstop. In a large metropolitan area, the fare could depend on which airport you use. Some airlines may have discounts that others don't offer. Flights for holiday periods may sell out months ahead of time, although in many cases you can find a seat if you elect to travel on the holiday itself, e.g. If you had decided against a trip because the price you wanted was not available when you first inquired, try again, especially just before the advance-purchase deadline. On the other hand, air carriers sometimes make more discount seats available later. The real bargains often sell out very quickly. Some airlines set aside only a few seats on each flight at the lower rates. If you are shopping by phone or in person, after you get a fare quote ask the reservations agent if you could save even more by leaving a day earlier or later, or by taking a different flight on the same day. When searching flights and fares on the Web you can usually specify whether your dates are flexible, and in the search results the fares are generally listed from lowest to highest. The best deals may be limited to travel on certain days of the week (particularly midweek or Saturday) or certain hours of the day (e.g., early-morning flights or overnight "red eyes"). Be flexible in your travel plans in order to get the lowest fare. Here are some tips to help you decide among air fares: They may offer lower fares or different services than older established airlines.
Finally, be alert to new companies serving the market. On the other hand, a few airlines may charge a fee for tickets that are purchased via the Web.) You can also be alert to newspaper and radio ads, where airlines advertise many of the discounts available in your city. (Some airlines and other outlets charge a fee for tickets purchased by means other than the Web. You can also contact a travel agent, another ticket outlet, or the airlines serving the places you want to travel to. It is easy to compare fares and schedules on the Web, using airline web sites or third-party reservation services. We hope it helps you become a more resourceful consumer.īecause of the emphasis on price competition, consumers may choose from a wide variety of air fares.
#CHANGE A BOOKED FLIGHT ON AA HOW TO#
This booklet is designed to explain your rights and responsibilities as an air traveler and to show you how to avoid problems.
What will the airline do for me if it cancels my flight?.Will I have to pay extra for checked bags or for seat assignments?.Will the airline penalize me for changing my reservation/.Am I more concerned with price or with schedule? Am I willing to fly at a less convenient time if it means saving $25?.In this new commercial environment, consumers have had to take a more active role in choosing their air service by learning to ask a number of questions: The elimination of government regulation of airline fares and routes has resulted in lower fares and a wide variety of price/service options. So by the time you read this, a few procedures we explain may be different. Notice: We make every effort to keep Fly-Rights up to date, but airlines frequently change the way they do business.