Changing return leg only on a return flight
For my specific itinerary with United Airlines, one-way flight from A->B is 900$, and a return flight A->B->A is 1350$. They are offering free changes right now https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/fly/travel/notices.html#ChangeFeeTerms
I am pretty sure I will need to change the return leg because I don't have fixed plans for the return yet.
My question is - How is the price for new ticket calculated if changing only the return leg of a flight? Should I a return flight since it's cheaper (for a 2-way flight) or book only 1-way because the difference in airfare when rescheduling the return leg could be substantial?
Best Answer
One common method airlines use to calculate new fares is to recalculate the entire itinerary (including any part you have already flown) as at the day you make the change, and charge you the difference. The exact method will depend on the rules applicable to the fare classes you booked.
If the new fare is lower you might get a credit or refund, or you might forfeit the balance, depending on the airline policy.
Should you buy a return or two one-way tickets? All I can say is that tickets bought well in advance tend to be cheaper than tickets bought close to departure.
Since you're also getting a return-ticket discount I'd expect that booking a return ticket now and changing it will work out cheaper than buying a one-way ticket now and another later. However, depending on the exact changes you make and when you make them, that is not guaranteed.
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Can you change one leg of a return flight?
In the end, no, you cannot just elect to drop the SIN-PEK leg and join up with your ticket in PEK.. You will need airline approval first.. and most will charge you as per the conditions of your ticket and fare paid.Can you change the second leg of a round trip flight?
If you have booked a round-trip, you can change online either leg without affecting the other leg. The exception is if you're trying to change the return after flying the outbound, which would require a call to customer service.Can a return flight be changed?
Literally. Most airlines will at least let passengers change a return flight once they have departed for their flat change fee, assuming the class of service is available and the flight routing hasn't changed. If passengers need to change a flight before departure, however, that's a different story.Can I use just one leg of a round trip flight?
The practice you're referring to is known as \u201cthrowaway ticketing.\u201d Most of the major airlines, including Alaska, American, Continental, Delta, Northwest, and US Airways, prohibit throwaway ticketing (or \u201cthe purchase and use of round-trip tickets for the purpose of one-way travel only,\u201d according to Continental's ...Deadly Turn - Base Leg to Final Approach
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