$500 change fee for UC 'Z' ticket?!

Booking my next trip in UC, I was astonished to read that the change fee is now $500 (plus any higher cost) for a Z ticket in Upper Class (a $3500+ ticket)

Kind of outrageous, it struck me. It used to be $200 if memory serves right.

[Neil]

It is still £90, so it is very high that it is now $500, how strange.

I am afraid that the other way, it is even worse! For a UK origin Z class fare, for example to New York, it is completely non-changeable, non-refundable.

In Economy we are still at £90 and £120 for special offers but discounted Upper is 100% fixed.

Do the fare code rules in the toolbox need to be updated to take this into account as we often refer queries on fare rules to it.

I am afraid that the other way, it is even worse! For a UK origin Z class fare, for example to New York, it is completely non-changeable, non-refundable..

that's ridonkulous

on a related note, students and charities are sold tickets not much cheaper in total, but... have 25pound/ $30 change fees, so that's their 'discount', and reflects the real cost of doing this.

The rest of us are just gouged.

[Nottingham Nick]

I am sorry but I can't see the point of complaining about a high change fee for a ticket, that is advertised as 'highly restricted'.

We may not like it, or agree with the system, but that whole ethos of airline pricing is that - if you want flexibility on a ticket, you have to pay the price!

Z fares and other restricted, heavily discounted tickets suit some people, but they don't suit others.

Just my two cents. 8D

Nick

The Youth and Student fares we have to Japan are in really low classes and only about £10 or £20 cheaper than the normal fares but they offer completely free of charge date changes (as long as changes are made at least a week before travel).
This is a great option for people studying abroad for a full year or who don't know their term dates and brings great brand loyalty in a group of people who are probably going to be travelling a fair bit during their lives.

The Youth and Student fares we have to Japan are in really low classes and only about £10 or £20 cheaper than the normal fares but they offer completely free of charge date changes (as long as changes are made at least a week before travel).
This is a great option for people studying abroad for a full year or who don't know their term dates and brings great brand loyalty in a group of people who are probably going to be travelling a fair bit during their lives.

I'm doing an evening class, could I have a Z student fare please?

Sorry, Y fares only Slinky, I think it is aimed at first time round students, not the more mature market...

Having said that, however old you are, if you have a valid ISIC card then you are eligible for these fares.

Sorry, Y fares only Slinky, I think it is aimed at first time round students, not the more mature market...

Having said that, however old you are, if you have a valid ISIC card then you are eligible for these fares.

Who are you calling mature young man???

I am sorry but I can't see the point of complaining about a high change fee for a ticket, that is advertised as 'highly restricted'.

We may not like it, or agree with the system, but that whole ethos of airline pricing is that - if you want flexibility on a ticket, you have to pay the price!

fare point.

The Youth and Student fares we have to Japan are in really low classes and only about £10 or £20 cheaper than the normal fares but they offer completely free of charge date changes (as long as changes are made at least a week before travel).
This is a great option for people studying abroad for a full year or who don't know their term dates and brings great brand loyalty in a group of people who are probably going to be travelling a fair bit during their lives.

yes they were terrific when I was a young 'un.
and it kept me loyal to VS, and now I'm in the Z seats, so VS gets it repayment in full. Glory be - the strategy works!

Looking forward to my pensioners discount in a decade. They have those, right?

[honey lamb]

Looking forward to my pensioners discount in a decade. They have those, right?

Nope! They did have them and I was able to take advantage of one but then everyone went all PC about ageism and VS had to abandon them. !

I was heartbroken!!

Sorry Slinky, I meant mature spending patterns.

[Decker]

Oh so now you're saying he's immature?

I am sorry but I can't see the point of complaining about a high change fee for a ticket, that is advertised as 'highly restricted'.

We may not like it, or agree with the system, but that whole ethos of airline pricing is that - if you want flexibility on a ticket, you have to pay the price!

Z fares and other restricted, heavily discounted tickets suit some people, but they don't suit others.

Just my two cents. 8D

Nick

update fwiw: I just bought a highly restricted Economy ticket for a friend, on the identical run, and that has a $250 change fee, so... why isn't sauce for the (pricey GC UC) Goose not sauce for the (much cheaper) Gander?

It's exactly double the cost to change dates on an UC ticket, as an EC. Both bottom feeder fares.