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FAQ: Air Traveler's Handbook 1/4 [Monthly posting]
Section - [1-19] Moving Up the Return Flight

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Departure dates on non-changeable tickers are inviolable -- you can't
change them without running into major obstacles. Return flights,
however, are sometimes a bit more flexible. You probably can't change
them before the departure, but sometimes you can change them afterwards.

For example, suppose you're flying to a conference that takes place
mid-week, but have to buy tickets that include a Saturday night stay.
Paying for an extra one or two day stay in a hotel (or student
housing) is cheaper than paying a full-price midweek fare.  So you
need to pick a Saturday night, either the one before the conference or
the one after. To take advantage of the flexibility on return flights,
book the flight to include the Saturday night *after* the conference.
On the night before you want to leave, call the airline and tell them
you'd like to return early. If they have space available, they'll let
you return early (possibly with a $35 change fee). For example, if you
want to fly out on Friday, call them Thursday night. This isn't flying
standby, because they'll actually give you a reservation for the
earlier return.

Some travel agents use a similar trick to obtain inexpensive tickets
for their business customers. They'll issue a ticket with a Saturday
night stay at the discount rate, and provide the passenger with a
sticker to put on the return ticket after the outbound ticket has been
removed. The sticker reflects the earlier return flight. The travel
agent also changes the return date on the reservation after the
outbound ticket has been used. Since this is a slightly shady
practice, any other changes in the itinerary must also be made through
the travel agent, not the airline. Not all travel agents are willing
to do this, and then only for expensive tickets and their best
customers.

If you want to try moving up the departure date, go to the airport a
few hours before departure and ask. If they have room, they may let
you on. You will have more success asking at the gate; airport
ticketing/checkin agents tend to be sticklers for the rules.
If you ask before the day of departure, or try to get it
changed by calling the toll free number, the answer will almost
certainly be no (or involve additional fees). 

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Top Document: FAQ: Air Traveler's Handbook 1/4 [Monthly posting]
Previous Document: [1-18] Special Travel Dates/Fare Sales/Fare Wars
Next Document: [1-20] Hidden City Fares

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Last Update March 27 2014 @ 02:12 PM