Change Return Date on Singapore Airlines?

Question

I made a airline reservation directly with the airline (Singapore Airlines) on their website for an upcoming multi-city trip in Feb 2010. I want to make a change to my return date and tried calling the airline who want to charge me a $500 change fee. Is there a cheaper option to do this? Will the change fee go down once I begin my journey in Feb, ie after I take the first flight of my multi-city journey?

Answer 1

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$500 does sound rather a lot, is that for one person or two or more?

You do need to look at the conditions of booking to see what rights, if any, you have in this. If you have booked the cheapest ticket option you may find that your rights to change are very restricted indeed. You can check online as you have a booking under their "manage your booking" section.

Join their frequent flyer programme, or if you are a member of the frequent flyer programme of another Star Alliance airline, make sure they know this. Won't make a massive difference but it could help.

Next time you contact them to ask to change, if they still say the same ask to speak to a supervisor and explain politely and pleasantly that you would like their help. It sometimes works.

The fee is not going to go down the closer it gets to the flight, it could go up. They need to sell that leg again to make money and the shorter you give them the less chance they have. You may also find that there are no seats left on your preferred date to go home.

Source(s):

Ten to twelve long and short haul flights per year

Answer 2

heard that it can be done for free, not sure though, check with travel agents

Answer 3

All or nearly all airlines charge change fees (amounts vary) on certain class of tickets such as "non-refundable coach". The appl;icable contract can be frequently found on the web. I would look at this first; then knowing my rights under the contract; I would call the airline and state the facts (no need to refer to the contract at this time) and ask what could be done. The agent may have an option to interpret the contract more liberally.