Change flight dates-is all $ lost?

[vintner Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close vintner]

I used Expedia to book a flight from Minneapolis to Chicago on NWA. Then the class I am attending changed dates.

Expedia told me it would be $150 to book another flight. Their online price was less. They also told me it was $25 to change the hotel booking, but the next guy I talked to changed it for free.

NWA had the flight as the same price as the online Expedia price. NWA said it would not pay to try to cancel the flight and rebook another flight. Cancellation fees are higher than the new flight.

If I don't show up for the flight, will they come looking for me? Will they issue any credit for not making the flight? I am just out the money from the flight that won't be used? Do I just cancel the unused flight and it is a lesson learned?

[Spence Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Spence]

I used Expedia to book a flight from Minneapolis to Chicago on NWA. Then the class I am attending changed dates.

Expedia told me it would be $150 to book another flight. Their online price was less. They also told me it was $25 to change the hotel booking, but the next guy I talked to changed it for free.

NWA had the flight as the same price as the online Expedia price. NWA said it would not pay to try to cancel the flight and rebook another flight. Cancellation fees are higher than the new flight.

If I don't show up for the flight, will they come looking for me? Will they issue any credit for not making the flight? I am just out the money from the flight that won't be used? Do I just cancel the unused flight and it is a lesson learned?

I am not familiar with NWA but on AA, US, CO, I have had to pay a $150 change fee to change their restricted tickets. If you don't show, they don't care but the ticket will be worthless, you need to cancel now and you can then later rebook, paying the change fee and any difference in fare.

[bnoble Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close bnoble]

If I don't show up for the flight, will they come looking for me? Will they issue any credit for not making the flight? I am just out the money from the flight that won't be used? Do I just cancel the unused flight and it is a lesson learned?

No.
No---the value of the ticket is less than the administrative fee, so there is a negative residual value and you'd be better booking the new ticket from scratch.
Yes.
Yes.

[vintner Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close vintner]

NWA is saying $200 to change the ticket. The old ticket was $120, the new ticket $140. Doesn't make sense to me to spend any more.

Good thing is that I got the people that run the class to refund for the new ticket. They changed the date after they had confirmed me for the class. It is their problem.

[zdxlc9p6 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close zdxlc9p6]

NWA is saying $200 to change the ticket. The old ticket was $120, the new ticket $140. Doesn't make sense to me to spend any more.

Basic math says to book a new $140 ticket rather than pay $200 to change. If you can cancel the original at no charge, go ahead. Otherwise let it expire unused.

[dougp26364 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close dougp26364]

NWA couldn't care less if you don't show up for your flight. Why do you think airlines routinely overbook flights? They know a certain number of people are likely to not show up or miss their connection. Since you looking at negative residual, don't worry about the old ticket. If you want to be nice about it, you can call NWA and tell them they can cancel your ticket so they know in advance you won't be on that flight.

[Carolinian Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Carolinian]

NWA is saying $200 to change the ticket. The old ticket was $120, the new ticket $140. Doesn't make sense to me to spend any more.

Good thing is that I got the people that run the class to refund for the new ticket. They changed the date after they had confirmed me for the class. It is their problem.

Unfortunately, NW has been hit with the new Delta level of fees.

If you fly NW or DL and have elite status, it is worth getting a complimentary status match to CO or UA and start using one of them instead. See www.dlsucks.com/nwaseis.pdf

[bnoble Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close bnoble]

No, in this case NW did that one all on its own---it's had an admin fee ranging from $0-150 for many years now, depending on the base fare class.