Any Recourse for Air Ticket Significant Price Drop?
 

Purchased 2 Delta One tickets in July '18 for our upcoming trip in April '19. Just checked and found that the price for the same two tickets has dropped $3,400. Is there any way I can get some of this savings back from Delta? I have not yet contacted them, but I'm hoping someone will be able to give me some tips to help me. I sure hope that this isn't just going to be the price of planning early.

That will depend on the conditions of your original purchase.

Something similar happened to me a few years ago, had a non-refundable, non-transferable, no changes of any kind.

When I noticed that the price went up significantly , and offered to pay it they would not budge.

Prices vary depending on supply/demand and how seats get filled. I've seen some drop after I've bought also, but not a lot. There is nothing you can do about it, you had a contract when you bought them for the price you wanted.

You're trying to have it both ways. Lock in a ticket far in advance for reasons I don't know, but I presume you thought you were getting a good deal. But now that the price is lower, you want to get a different deal. But I would presume that the change fee would be a lot lower than $1700 or whatever you agreed to per ticket, if so, then change. Mine are usually about $200 change fee.

If non refundable, I don't think you have a recourse. It would be the same if the price went up, they wouldn't ask you to pay more. I know someone here will probably post that this is a reason you shouldn't buy so far in advance. The key to buying in advance is knowing what you are buying. It's only been a good for me and only take maybe $50 as a loss but that hasn't been often.

If you do a change fee make sure the voucher will work on the new flight purchase. I think this would be your only option.

Thanks for the quick responses. I'll approach them on the change fee angle........a drop of over 30% seems to be conterintuitive, as they have been holding my money for some 5 months now. I'll report back after I have a chance to call them and see what they are willing to do.

You might do better to re-post your question on the Air Travel board. There are a couple of real pros who post there regularly.

If you do re-post -- include the details like where you are flying from/to, the Exact dates, type of tickets (full fare/discounted/whatever). They can look up the exact flights and what's what.

Thanks for your kind help. I did finally call Delta’s mileage plan service center and they were willing to help me get most of the price difference back as a credit card refund. They did impose a $500 change fee on each ticket, but at this point I am elated that I managed to get the balance back and not lose the tickets that I so wanted back in July. My wife and I are in our 70’s and this is possibly our last trip to Europe. We have never sprung for the front cabin before, but our old bodies don’t take kindly to sitting for 10 hours and then have to do the customs thing, etc.

The Agent did say that one strategy is to book way in advance with fully refundable tickets, and then make the ticket change when the price is as low as you think it will go. That way you don’t have to incur the change fee. Food for thought for those who do a lot of traveling.

Fodor’s Forum has again been an invaluable source of real-life information. Thanks.

Congratulations on getting back $2400 or so. And, although we probably won't book Delta One any time soon, your tip I am sure should be helpful to others. Our son often books Delta One, and they have found some huge discounts of late.

web_munch, I'm so happy for you. This is wonderful. Good for you! Happy New Year and whether you make this your last trip or not, please have a really wonderful time.

I agree great news. Your experience I am sure will help someone in the future. I hope you have a great trip.

There is nothing special about what Delta did with the tickets. This is the standard feature of the type of the ticket the OP purchased if one cares to read the fine prints. Non-refundable but changeable wtih price difference (in this case, refund) minus the change fee.

Fortunately the OP called Delta.