Ticket penalties and refunds have been built into airfare prices by airlines because of falling flier numbers and dwindling profits. As these fees have become increasingly restrictive and more expensive, educating oneself about what to expect can help reduce the sticker shock of these charges.
Airlines have introduced increasingly restrictive rules and regulations after the massive dip in business since 9/11. Most major airlines have policies in place that state explicitly what fees are involved for certain changes; using the airlines' websites will reveal these charges.
According to Airline Consolidator's list of major airline penalties for schedule changes before departure, fees range from $175 to $325. Penalties are lower for schedule changes after departure, ranging in price from $75 to $200.
Generally these tickets do not return any money when your travel plans change or you miss a flight, but some airlines have more lenient policies. These airlines will sometimes allow travelers to put the value of their ticket toward a new flight, usually with a $50 to $75 fee for the service. Check with the airlines to see if they have this policy in place.
Refundable tickets command a much higher price than non-refundable tickets because of the flexibility afforded to the ticket. For example, on Orbitz.com, a flight from Raleigh, N.C., to New York City on a non-refundable ticket cost $138, while a refundable ticket fare on the same airline cost $578. This price increase is even higher for international flights.
To avoid these fees, it is best to plan far ahead and be very certain of your travel itinerary. Non-refundable tickets are much cheaper than refundable tickets, so being certain of your travel plans can offer significant savings. Even airlines that will allow changes will still charge significant fees for the service, so being certain of your flights will prevent expensive problems during your travels.
