Loopholes

Non-refundable. No changes permitted. $200 reissue fee. Airlines almost universally follow the #1 Klingon Rule of Business: Once you have their money, never give it back. It’s enough to make you think that if you ever need to make a change, you’re probably going to be stuck buying another ticket.

If you’re flying with Spirit or Ryanair, the above is probably true. With most other airlines, there are loopholes. Some loopholes almost always work, and some are at the discretion of airport or reservations staff. If you need to change or refund a ticket, the following are some options you may have. There are a lot of loopholes; I am only publishing the ones that usually work.

Weather Waiver: Airlines change their own schedules all the time due to weather, usually with little or no prior notice. However, when you need to change a schedule due to weather, airlines are sometimes surprisingly flexible. If there is bad weather in an area that makes travel either unsafe or likely to result in weather cancellations, airlines will often offer a “weather waiver” that will allow you to rebook travel to a later time. You generally can’t get a refund, but airlines will waive the $200 change fee. If you need to change a non-refundable ticket, this is the easiest way to do it. Call your airline and–without giving them your ticket details–ask whether a weather waiver is in effect for either your departure, arrival or connecting cities. If a weather waiver is in effect, the agent will make the change (and if it’s not in effect, you won’t end up with a note on your ticket that documents that you’ve been shot down). Presuming that a weather waiver is in effect, agents do not need approval to make the change. There is no phone booking fee for making changes over the phone, which is usually a much better method than over the Internet. Keep in mind that you may be able to make the change to a much later (or earlier) flight and you do not necessarily need to maintain the same routing. So, for example, if you’re connecting in Chicago (which is snowed in) but there is a nonstop to your destination (where the weather is clear), the agent can change you to the (usually more expensive) nonstop.

Examples:

  • Joe is flying from Chicago to Pittsburgh on American Airlines today. A major winter storm has socked western Pennsylvania and the Pittsburgh airport is not operating. American Airlines has cancelled Joe’s flight and proactively called him to reschedule. They offer several options. Joe, selecting the best of the available bad options, agrees to travel 2 days later on a flight connecting through New York-La Guardia. He isn’t happy that his nonstop flight today is changing to a flight with a connection 2 days later, but he doesn’t have much choice. The roads are a disaster so taking a bus isn’t a good option, and no other earlier flights are available with any other airline. Joe could alternatively have asked American to reroute him to a nearby city (such as Harrisburg or Philadelphia), to refund his ticket, or to postpone his travel to a later date than originally offered, and would probably have been able to do any of these.
  • Mary is in Phoenix. She is scheduled to fly home to Boston tomorrow, but really wants to stay an extra day because she is enjoying the weather so much. Her US Airways flight home connects in Charlotte. She notices on The Weather Channel that severe thunderstorms are predicted around Charlotte, so calls US Airways and mentions this. While US Airways has not formally published a weather waiver on their Web site, they did distribute a memo to their agents offering them discretion to help prevent customers from being stranded if they call in concerned about this issue. The agent offers Mary a nonstop flight to Boston from Phoenix departing earlier on her originally scheduled day, which would avoid the predicted thunderstorms. Mary replies that the earlier flight won’t work due to a scheduled meeting, and asks whether she can fly out the next day instead, and whether there is anything available in the evening. The agent agrees, finds the appropriate flight, and changes the ticket for free. Mary enjoys her extra day in Phoenix and avoids potential weather complications with connecting in Charlotte.

Schedule Change: If the airline changes the schedule for your flights–even very slightly–you may be allowed to change to a different flight. You may need to persuade the airline that the schedule change will represent an added inconvenience, but you usually don’t have to fight very hard for the change. Agents usually do not need approval to make a change if a change is made is due to a schedule change initiated by the airline.

Examples

  • Robert is traveling on a US Airways frequent flier award, and is scheduled to fly to Toronto on 12/23 at 3pm, overnight in Toronto, and then depart on 12/24 for Seattle at 7pm. His flight on 12/23 is moved up to a 6am departure. He actually wanted to travel from Toronto to Seattle on 12/23 in the first place, and didn’t want the Toronto layover. Based on the schedule change and newly available award inventory between Toronto and Seattle on 12/23, Robert contacts US Airways, explains that the layover in Toronto has been lengthened 9 hours, and asks to change to the flight on 12/23 instead because he does not want to stay in Toronto for so long. US Airways agrees to change the award ticket based on the schedule change. Note: A schedule change is the only scenario under which US Airways will ever change an award ticket that has already been issued, and on which travel has already commenced.
  • Jennifer is traveling on a non-refundable United ticket between New York and San Francisco. She is traveling much later in the day than she wanted, on the last flight of the day, but she booked the ticket because it was the least expensive flight. United changes the schedule so her arrival time in San Francisco is 10 minutes later than the original time. Jennifer calls United and asks to move to the earlier flight based on the schedule change. The agent says “It’s only 10 minutes!” and initially refuses to make the change, but Jennifer explains that she will miss the last bus home if she arrives 10 minutes later, and will otherwise have to spend the night in the airport. The agent switches Jennifer to the earlier flight at no charge.

Flat Tire Rule: If you show up at the airport late–but within an hour of the scheduled departure time of your flight–many airlines will allow you to stand by for a later flight based on the “flat tire rule.” This is an informal rule designed to deal with situations like a flat tire on the highway, unexpected traffic, delays in rental car returns, etc. Airlines used to do pretty much whatever it took to get you home, but these days, they often charge significant extra fees and don’t make the process easy. Some airlines just keep your money and shrug their shoulders, forcing you to buy another ticket at the last minute walk-up rate. Elite members of frequent flier programs seem to have better luck with “flat tire rule” claims–the more you spend with an airline, the more forgiving they tend to be.

Too Sick To Travel: If you are feeling unwell and unable to travel as a result of your illness, airlines cannot legally transport you if this is due to a communicable disease. So, you should call and make it very clear, saying “I believe I have a potentially serious communicable disease regulated by CDC, and am not qualified to fly.” If they still insist you fly or lose your money, ask to speak with a supervisor who will usually grant a conditional change fee waiver. To prevent abuse of this excuse, you will generally have to present a doctor’s note when you check in proving that you were really sick enough to visit a doctor, or the airline will reverse the fee waiver. The airline generally only needs proof that you visited a doctor; after all, you weren’t in a position to know whether you had Swine Flu, a bad cold, or a phantom allergy attack.

Military Orders: If you are in the military or National Guard and are unexpectedly issued orders, airlines will almost always allow you to reschedule your trip. They will want to see proof of orders.

Jury Duty: If you are called to jury duty and the judge refuses to excuse you, airlines will sometimes allow you to reschedule your trip upon proof of jury summons.

Death: If you die before your trip, your estate may be able to claim a full refund from the airline. If you die during your trip, your estate may be able to claim a partial refund. If you die because the plane crashed, your ticket may be fully refundable.

18 thoughts on “Loopholes

  1. Maggie says:

    “If you die because the plane crashed, your ticket may be fully refundable.”
    Best line of the day!

  2. Valued Reader says:

    In reading this article, I wouldn’t call these options “loop holes”. The reality is, airlines have become fee driven monsters. The odds of getting the change fee waived because of a change in your travel plans will always work against you. However, there are and will always be those rare scenarios where a team leader is sympathetic or sides with you and offers the “one time courtesy waiver” that used to be more commonly extended ten years ago.

  3. Sarah says:

    I personally have taken advantage of the “schedule change” loop hole on both United and American Airlines. I was issued a refund for United, and was able to change my flight without fee on American. I only recently heard of this through a friend who works for a travel agency and it was perfect timing as these were the first two instances I can think of where they not only changed my itinerary, but I also needed to make changes.

    Typically, I book and am all set. Lately, so many random things have been interfering with my travel plans. I’m currently looking to cancel a flight to Santo Domingo due to the Zika virus. We were already looking to make other plans, so I’m hoping this virus outbreak will allow us to receive a full refund as we DEFINITELY do NOT want to go now. AA is asking for a doctor’s note indicating at least one of us is pregnant which I think is a ridiculous request as this virus is a major concern at the moment, and they don’t know much about it.

  4. Kirby says:

    “Airlines almost universally follow the #1 Klingon Rule of Business: Once you have their money, never give it back.”

    Ferrangi.

  5. Ilmar says:

    Delta was extremely friendly in getting me out of a jam. Not only did they waive the change fee, ignored a fare increase of more than double the original fare but even revalidated a canceled ticket. All this on a matter that had nothing to do with the airline and was definitely not their fault. Furthermore, I do not believe there was a single empty seat on the Detroit/Miami leg of my flight they assigned me to, I hope no one was bumped because of me. No Klingon’s here… I cannot speak more highly of Delta’s customer service!

  6. Andrew J says:

    I’m still floored that 48 hours after an initial booking and two months prior to a flight that a $200 fee is still “justified” in American Airline’s view.

    Someone explain to me how this cost AA anything. Further explain what service/good was conveyed for my $200? Holding a seat for 2 days? Wow, charge me $9.99 for a seat hold fee and call it a day.

    Here’s to hoping southwest can return some semblance of competition and customer focus to the airline industry!

  7. DESIREE Scarlett says:

    Just booked two says ago, American Airlines.
    The flight is in 2 months, wont change the return date without fee..screw American, from now on Only Delta gets my money, or I’ll drive RIPOFF!!

    1. TProphet says:

      You wouldn’t necessarily have any better luck with Delta. Most flights can be cancelled within 24 hours of the time they are purchased, but after that, you’re subject to change fees. If you booked a basic economy fare, these usually cannot be changed or refunded at all!

      1. Linda Musacchio says:

        How long before you fly should you book. I want to fly next April with reward miles AAdvantage. I see that there is a $89 fee added to my air miles. If I must cancel due to illness, will my reward miles and $89 be returned?,and at what point.

        1. TProphet says:

          This is a very broad question because I don’t know the award program involved. You might check out our paid service https://award.cat for award booking help and help using your miles.

  8. Patricia Roberts says:

    Can’t believe United will not waive the $200 fee to change a flight to Dominican Republic. Not safe to travel there right now. So for $200, I should risk my life!!! I’m still going to book the flight, just to another destination. Not consumer friendly!

    1. TProphet says:

      Most airlines require a country to shift to a Level 3 or above travel advisory to consider a waiver based on safety concerns. The Dominican Republic is a Level 2 country due to crime, which, honestly, matches most of Latin America. This isn’t a destination that most people consider to be unsafe. Consider visiting, it’s a wonderful destination!

  9. Tee says:

    The numbers are steadily increasing with the number of deaths that are happening at the resorts in DR. I was set to travel there in November. I have been there twice and it is beautiful but with these deaths happening, I feel that its not safe because these are at random and the fact that it is happening at resorts. No one can say which hotel is next or how this is evening happening. I don’t want my money back, I would just want to change my destination and dates.

  10. john crossley says:

    1-21-20 we have a flight to puerto rico booked for 3-3-20. due to all the earthquake activity there we would like to change our destination. contacted jetblue and advised them that we would still book through them but to a different locale. they were adamant and advised that a $250.00 per person change fee would be applied as well as payment for difference in fare to the new destination. what a damn ripoff

    1. TProphet says:

      It would be very unusual for an airline to allow you to cancel a trip six weeks in the future because of an earthquake that happened today. If you don’t ask they can’t say yes, but I also wouldn’t expect them to say yes in this case.

  11. Mumbi says:

    Im African living in Africa, is there any hope for me to get to travel through the way you explained on Jack Rhysider’s show or this is strictly for North American frequent fliers

    1. TProphet says:

      The answer is “it depends” – after all, Africa is a big place! That being said, wherever you are in the world, there is always the opportunity to buy miles and points when airlines put them on sale. This can often be a good option for people who live in places where it’s harder to earn points through credit card spending.

  12. KESM says:

    Airlines like many businesses continue to put profit and production over people. Amazing we the people continue to accept it. ‘You maybe entitled to a refund if the plane crashed and you die.’ Really? So if you don’t die but your plane crashes…keep it moving? Ridiculous place this world has become. Greedy bastards rule here.

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