Comments on: Frontier Lowers Its Change Fee to $100

By: PFR

PFR — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 21:05:42 +0000

@ DCTA: @DCTA: Good point. Yes, if I can figure out that that's the case in a reasonable amount of time. I end up rescheduling flights at least 25% of the time, and could really use a travel search engine that lets me compare flights costs AND change fees easily!

By: DCTA

DCTA — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 20:35:47 +0000

@ PFR: So if you find Frontier's Classic Plus to be less than lowest Southwest fare (as has been known to happen) you take Frontier as you then have the $0 change fee, right.

By: AirlineWONK

AirlineWONK — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 01:22:37 +0000

Good for you, PFR.

By: PFR

PFR — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 22:12:58 +0000

Well, it’s an improvement. But Denver’s my home airport, and I will ALWAYS take Southwest over Frontier until the latter’s change fees fall to the “Zone of Irrationality.” Yep, Southwest bought my business.

By: CF

CF — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 00:27:24 +0000

frank wrote:

but, what if they cant resell that seat? The passenger HELD that seat, now wants to change to another ONE. That’s one ticket for two seats.

So? The person isn't going to show up for that flight no matter what. The seat will be empty if it doesn't get resold no matter what.

By: frank

frank — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 22:42:41 +0000

but, what if they cant resell that seat? The passenger HELD that seat, now wants to change to another ONE. That’s one ticket for two seats.

By: CF

CF — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 16:23:00 +0000

frank wrote:

All the airline is trying to do is inhibit so many changes so flights do NOT go out with empty seats. Once that plane takes off, that’s lost revenue.

I don't follow your logic. If the passenger throws away the ticket, then the airline will simply see a no-show and the seat will go empty. If the passenger can change the ticket, then the airline at least has a chance to resell it.

By: frank

frank — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 14:09:51 +0000

With a $150 fee it gets thrown away and the customer has to book another flight. This flight might be booked with any number of different airlines. With a $100 fee, the customer gets to change the ticket and will stay on Airline X. If the fare is more expensive now, Airline X will also get the difference in fare.
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of course, the passenger is going to do whatever is cheaper. No brainer. Is it cheaper to toss the ticket or can you find another cheap fare? That 150 fee may be the answer as well.
All the airline is trying to do is inhibit so many changes so flights do NOT go out with empty seats. Once that plane takes off, that’s lost revenue.

By: CF

CF — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 04:52:43 +0000

frank wrote:

WHAT’S THE BETTER DEAL (even with the change fee)??????????

I look at this from a completely different perspective. Let's say someone bought a ticket for $119 on Airline X and could no longer use it. With a $150 fee it gets thrown away and the customer has to book another flight. This flight might be booked with any number of different airlines. With a $100 fee, the customer gets to change the ticket and will stay on Airline X. If the fare is more expensive now, Airline X will also get the difference in fare. It's a win-win situation. Now the question, of course, is whether they can increase the number of changes to compensate for the lower revenue per change.

By: frank

frank — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 23:45:10 +0000

JK
September 9th, 2009 at 2:01 pm
But the punishment does NOT fit the crime.
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why NOT? Suppose you change your ticket at the last minute and that seat that you had held goes out empty. That’s LOST revenue to the airlines. Change fees inhibit everyone from changing on a whim.

Seriously, Cranky. You found this: I was just looking for a one way from JFK to LAX, and American had a $119 all-in while United had $144.

and your complaining about a CHANGE FEE? For $119 I can fill up my vehicle with gas and probably drive a few hundred miles.

WHAT’S THE BETTER DEAL (even with the change fee)??????????