If your client voluntarily changes their flight departure date, time or origin/destination, the new ticket price may be higher, lower or the same as the original. If the fare rules require a change fee to be charged, please follow the instructions below based on the applicable scenario. Reminder: If the fare rules for your client’s booking include both a flight change fee and a name change fee, and they request changes to both, only the higher of the two fees should be charged.

IMPORTANT: Please ensure you follow the instructions below or the booking will be subject to an Agency Debit Memo (ADM) for the full value of the ticket and an admin fee.

NOTE: These instructions only apply to voluntary changes made to GDS bookings.

Scenario 1: New fare has same value as original fare

If the value of the new fare is the same as the original fare, a change fee may be required. The fee is based on the original ticket fare rules and the amount is fixed.

If multiple changes are made at the same time (including a name change), the fee must be applied to each fare component. In cases of combined fares, the most restrictive rules must be applied to the entire ticket.

Scenario 2: New fare is higher

If the new fare is higher than the original fare, a change fee may be required as well as the difference in fare (add-collect). The fee is based on the original ticket fare rules and the amount is fixed.

How to process

1. Reprice the new flights using the current fares. Validate all fare rules at the time of reissue.
2. Follow the original fare rules to determine the change fee amount.
3. Collect the balance due from the change fee and the fare difference between the new and original flights (add-collect).
4. Issue the new ticket.

Scenario 3: New fare is lower

If the new fare is lower than the original fare, a change fee may be required. A residual amount will remain, which is the difference between the new fare and the original fare. The residual amount may be applied to the change fee. The remainder of the residual would be a loss of funds. For example:

• Original fare: $500
• New fare: $350
• Residual value: $150
• Change fee: $100

In this example, $100 of the residual value can be applied to the $100 change fee. Your client will forfeit the $50 remaining funds.

How to process

1. Reprice the new flights using the current fares. Validate all fare rules at the time of reissue.
2. Follow the original fare rules to determine the change fee amount. Enter the change fee amount into the CP field in your GDS.
3. If the residual amount covers the full change fee, no further payment is required. Any remaining residual amount will be forfeit. If the residual amount does not cover the full change fee, the remaining balance must be collected.
4. Issue the new ticket.