Confusing Fare rules from Opodo — MoneySavingExpert Forum
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Confusing Fare rules from Opodo

I have booked a return flights to South Africa for the World Cup. I thought I has booked a ticket that allowed changes subject to a fee. I even checked for the relevant section in the fare rules at the time of purchase.

When I confirmed my travel details with opodo they have informed me that no chnages are permitted to the flight even with a fee.

I have rechecked the fare rules and there is a section explaing the rules for changing my flight. Pasted below
AFTER DEPARTURE
CHARGE GBP 75.00.
CHILD/INFANT DISCOUNTS APPLY.
NOTE -
/////
// AFTER OUTBOUND DEPARTURE //
////
NEW RESERVATION / REISSUANCE AND PAYMENT
PAGE 13/18
> OF THE PENALTY MUST BE MADE AT THE SAME TIME


NEW FARE WILL BE RECALCULATED USING
FARES IN EFFECT ON THE PREVIOUS TICKETING DATE
AND UNDER FOLLOWING CONDITIONS
- IF SAME BOOKING CLASS IS USED NEW FARE MAY BE
LOWER OR EQUAL OR HIGHER THAN PREVIOUS AND
A / MUST COMPLY WITH ALL PROVISIONS OF THE
ORIGINALLY TICKETED FARE
B / OR MUST COMPLY WITH ALL PROVISIONS OF THE
NEW FARE BEING APPLIED
- IF A DIFFERENT BOOKING CLASS IS USED NEW FARE
MAY BE EQUAL OR HIGHER THAN PREVIOUS AND
UNDER FOLLOWING CONDITIONS
A / MUST COMPLY WITH ALL PROVISIONS OF THE NEW
FARE BEING APPLIED

However when speaking to opodo they have refered me to another section stating
PE.PENALTIES
CHANGES
ANY TIME
CHANGES NOT PERMITTED.

It appears that when booking the flights Opodo merged the two differing flight rules together. To make matters worse I even selected the opodo extra option to avoid any of opodo's admin charges.

Dont Opodo have to abide by the plain english rule of the consumer protection act? or is this only a guideline. Am I expected to be a travel agent and understand all of the airlines terminology or is it a case of buyer beware.

Thanks in advance

Martin
«1

Comments

  • Heliflyguy
    Heliflyguy Posts: 932 Forumite
    Tenth Anniversary 500 Posts Combo Breaker
    edited 15 June 2010 at 3:09PM
    Without knowing the fare basis code for each flight I cannot give you a exact answer but I suspect what may have happened is that the most restrictive rule (no changes allowed) has been applied to the whole journey, this is a standard airline fare rule/practice.
    Believe me fare rules are a bit of a devil to understand sometimes even if you have been reading them for years and those rules you note are from the airline or the booking system they have not been written by opodo.
  • Heliflyguy

    You are almost quoting the Opodo customer service team eaxctly. However is it not Opodo responsibilty to produce clear and accurate T&C's and fare rules for the layman, ie Me. They are the expert's not me and the booking was made over the Internet.

    By putting two sets of fare rules toegther just makes the fare rules illegible. Why do the 2nd set of rules take precedent over the first or vice versa?

    Will this stack up with Consumer direct/trading standards/Small claims court.
  • Heliflyguy
    Heliflyguy Posts: 932 Forumite
    Tenth Anniversary 500 Posts Combo Breaker
    edited 15 June 2010 at 6:55PM
    I agree that a clearer explanation of what you can and cant do would be preferable but I think they could only display it as they have done rather than interpret it and get it wrong however all most travellers need to know is about changes, refunds plus possibly a few other small details.

    It would be easier if speaking to good booking agent, hopefully, then again a friend of mines daughter who turns 12 years old while on holiday was charged a full adult fare both ways when it should have been child out and adult back but without contacting the airline the booking agent (no one I know) would not be able to know that from the fare rules so even the professionals have it difficult at times but my friend would be none the wiser had I not mentioned it and the agent should have checked in the first place rather than guess however if the agent had got it wrong and charged child both ways the airline would expect the agency to pay the difference and charged them for the mistake (call it a fine if you will but its not).

    Why the most restrictive fare rule rule's I have no idea but there are some airlines that state on certain routes/classes that if you can make changes and you do and it's to the return flight, having travelled out, and to make that change you need to upgrade the class then you have to take that class upgrade back to the point of origin effectively paying more for a ticket you have already used.

    That has taken me a while to try and explain as best I can so I expect it would be a long job to ensure you explained all the possible rule combinations online to your customers.

    Airlines can make up any rules they like I dont think there is much anyone can do about it.
    Sorry I cannot offer much with your problem.
  • dmg24
    dmg24 Posts: 33,925 Forumite
    What exactly are you trying to do? Which airlines are you flying with, and which fare code/ bucket are you booked under?

    To be fair to Opodo, and the airline, if you were not sure you did have the opportunity to ask before booking.
    Gone ... or have I?
  • Thanks everyone. I have posted the fare rules as supplied by opodo. I thought the rules where clear that changes where permitted. Sorry for the long post but I do not know how to upload the file directly. This is the exact information in the same format that was supplied. I have modified it slightly, where in a red font, to shorten the post.

    DMG I am not sure what fare code/bucket is so do not know where to loo for this information.

    Fare rules
    Leg Num: 1
    Pax Code: ADT
    Fare Note: FQN1-1
    1 - PSGR P1 ADT RULES DISPLAY
    FARE COMPONENT 1 ADT NCLJNB AF TLGBLC
    FCL: TLGBLC TRF: 950 RULE: 7522 BK: T
    SELLING UPDATER: OP 3GBLON981
    PTC: ADT-ADULT FTC: XPX-INSTANT PURCHASE EXCURSION
    RU.RULE APPLICATION
    AIR FRANCE - ECONOMY FARES
    FROM UNITED KINGDOM TO AFRICA / INDIAN OCEAN .
    APPLICATION
    AREA
    THESE FARES APPLY
    FROM UNITED KINGDOM TO AFRICA.
    CLASS OF SERVICE
    THESE FARES APPLY FOR ECONOMY CLASS SERVICE.
    TYPES OF TRANSPORTATION
    FARES GOVERNED BY THIS RULE CAN BE USED TO CREATE
    ONE-WAY/ROUND-TRIP/CIRCLE-TRIP/OPEN-JAW JOURNEYS.
    CAPACITY LIMITATIONS
    THE CARRIER SHALL LIMIT THE NUMBER OF PASSENGERS CARRIED
    PAGE 1/18
    > ON ANY ONE FLIGHT AT FARES GOVERNED BY THIS RULE AND SUCH
    FARES WILL NOT NECESSARILY BE AVAILABLE ON ALL FLIGHTS.
    THE NUMBER OF SEATS WHICH THE CARRIER SHALL MAKE
    AVAILABLE ON A GIVEN FLIGHT WILL BE DETERMINED BY THE
    CARRIERS BEST JUDGMENT
    OTHER CONDITIONS
    THE FARE THAT APPLIES ON THE DATE OF PURCHASE
    IS ONLY VALID FOR THE ENTIRE ITINERARY AND THE
    SPECIFIC TRAVEL DATES MENTIONED ON THE TICKET.
    ANY MODIFICATION MAY REQUIRE THE PAYMENT OF AN
    ADDITIONAL AMOUNT.
    FULL AND SEQUENTIAL USE OF FLIGHT COUPONSTHE
    TICKET/ OR ELECTRONIC TICKET / IS NOT VALID IF
    THE FIRST COUPON HAS NOT BEEN USED AND WILL NOT
    BE HONORED IF ALL THE COUPONS ARE NOT USED IN THE
    SEQUENCE PROVIDED IN THE TICKET / OR ELECTRONIC
    TICKET / .
    MN.MIN STAY
    FOR TLGBLC TYPE FARES
    PAGE 2/18
    > TRAVEL FROM TURNAROUND MUST COMMENCE NO EARLIER THAN 6
    DAYS AFTER DEPARTURE FROM FARE ORIGIN
    OR - TRAVEL FROM TURNAROUND MUST COMMENCE NO EARLIER THAN
    THE FIRST SUN AFTER DEPARTURE FROM FARE ORIGIN.
    MX.MAX STAY
    FOR ROUND TRIP FARES
    TRAVEL FROM LAST STOPOVER MUST COMMENCE NO LATER THAN 12
    14/06/2010 Opodo - Fare rules
    opodo.co.uk/opodo/flights/fareNotes?… 1/11
    MONTHS AFTER DEPARTURE FROM FARE ORIGIN.
    SE.SEASONS
    BETWEEN UNITED KINGDOM AND SOUTH AFRICA FOR BASIC SEASON
    FARES
    PERMITTED 01JAN THROUGH 18JUL OR 19AUG THROUGH 09DEC OR
    25DEC THROUGH 31DEC ON THE FIRST INTERNATIONAL SECTOR.
    AP.ADVANCE RES/TKT
    RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED FOR ALL SECTORS.
    PAGE 3/18
    > WHEN RESERVATIONS ARE MADE AT LEAST 100 DAYS BEFORE
    DEPARTURE TICKETING MUST BE COMPLETED AT LEAST 93 DAYS
    BEFORE DEPARTURE.
    OR - RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED FOR ALL SECTORS.
    WHEN RESERVATIONS ARE MADE AT LEAST 11 DAYS BEFORE
    DEPARTURE TICKETING MUST BE COMPLETED WITHIN 7 DAYS
    AFTER RESERVATIONS ARE MADE OR AT LEAST 10 DAYS
    BEFORE DEPARTURE WHICHEVER IS EARLIER.
    OR - RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED FOR ALL SECTORS.
    TICKETING MUST BE COMPLETED WITHIN 1 DAY AFTER
    RESERVATIONS ARE MADE.
    NOTE -
    DIFFERENCE COULD EXIST BETWEEN THE CRS
    LAST TICKETING DATE AND TTL ROBOT REMARK.
    THE MOST RESTRICTIVE DATE PREVAILS.
    FL.FLT APPLICATION
    FROM/TO SOUTH AFRICA
    THE FARE COMPONENT MUST NOT BE ON
    ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING
    PAGE 4/18
    > ANY LH FLIGHT, ANY IB FLIGHT, ANY LX FLIGHT, ANY FC FLIGHT, ANY SK FLIGHT, ANY AA FLIGHT, ANY US FLIGHT, ANY UA FLIGHT, ANY UU FLIGHT, ANY PK FLIGHT, ANY FG FLIGHT, ANY QZ FLIGHT, ANY 3Y FLIGHT, ANY RI FLIGHT, ANY MZ FLIGHT, ANY 7P FLIGHT, ANY AW FLIGHT, ANY RW FLIGHT, ANY NV FLIGHT ANY DC FLIGHT, ANY QH FLIGHT
    PAGE 5/18
    > ANY R8 FLIGHT, ANY O3 FLIGHT, ANY I7 FLIGHT, ANY Q4 FLIGHT
    ANY EO FLIGHT, ANY W5 FLIGHT, ANY UF FLIGHT, ANY KF FLIGHT

    14/06/2010 Opodo - Fare rules
    opodo.co.uk/opodo/flights/fareNotes?… 2/11
    ANY C2 FLIGHT, ANY OD FLIGHT, ANY K9 FLIGHT, ANY X7 FLIGHT, ANY FT FLIGHT, ANY MQ FLIGHT, ANY 2S FLIGHT, ANY Z7 FLIGHT, ANY 6A FLIGHT, ANY M9 FLIGHT, ANY IP FLIGHT, ANY W7 FLIGHT, ANY SX FLIGHT
    PAGE 6/18
    > ANY UQ FLIGHT, ANY Q8 FLIGHT, ANY D3 FLIGHT ANY KJ FLIGHT.
    AND
    THE FARE COMPONENT MUST NOT BE ON
    ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING
    ANY 8F FLIGHT, ANY CO FLIGHT, ANY SN FLIGHT, ANY AB FLIGHT, ANY SM FLIGHT, ANY SD FLIGHT, ANY PR FLIGHT.
    NOTE -
    THE FARE COMPONENT MUST NOT BE ON
    ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING
    ANY 0K FLIGHT, ANY DZ FLIGHT,
    CD.CHILD DISCOUNTS
    PAGE 7/18
    >
    ACCOMPANIED CHILD 2-11. ID REQUIRED - CHARGE 75 PERCENT OF
    THE FARE.
    TICKET DESIGNATOR - CH.
    MUST BE ACCOMPANIED ON ALL FLIGHTS IN SAME COMPARTMENT
    BY ADULT 18 OR OLDER
    OR - INFANT UNDER 2 WITH A SEAT. ID REQUIRED - CHARGE 75
    PERCENT OF THE FARE.
    TICKET DESIGNATOR - CH.
    MUST BE ACCOMPANIED ON ALL FLIGHTS IN SAME
    COMPARTMENT BY ADULT 18 OR OLDER
    OR - INFANT UNDER 2 WITHOUT A SEAT - CHARGE 10 PERCENT OF
    THE FARE.
    TICKET DESIGNATOR - IN.
    MUST BE ACCOMPANIED ON ALL FLIGHTS IN SAME
    COMPARTMENT BY ADULT 18 OR OLDER.
    UNACCOMPANIED CHILD 5-14. ID REQUIRED - CHARGE 100 PERCENT
    OF THE FARE PLUS EUR 150.00.
    TICKET DESIGNATOR - UM.
    NOTE -
    PAGE 8/18
    > SERVICE CHARGE FOR UNACCOMPANIED CHILD
    OR - UNACCOMPANIED CHILD 5-14. ID REQUIRED - CHARGE 100
    PERCENT OF THE FARE PLUS USD 216.00.
    TICKET DESIGNATOR - UM.
    NOTE -
    SERVICE CHARGE FOR UNACCOMPANIED CHILD
    14/06/2010 Opodo - Fare rules
    opodo.co.uk/opodo/flights/fareNotes?… 3/11
    TC.TOUR CONDUCTOR
    TOUR CONDUCTOR - NO DISCOUNT.
    AD.AGTS DISCOUNTS
    AGENT - NO DISCOUNT.
    SO.STOPOVERS
    2 STOPOVERS PERMITTED - 1 IN EACH DIRECTION AT GBP 75.00
    EACH.
    CHILD/INFANT DISCOUNTS APPLY.
    PAGE 9/18
    >
    TF.TRANSFERS/RTGS
    UNLIMITED TRANSFERS PERMITTED ON THE FARE COMPONENT
    FARE BREAK SURFACE SECTORS NOT PERMITTED AND EMBEDDED
    SURFACE SECTORS PERMITTED ON THE FARE COMPONENT.
    NOTE -
    OR
    AS PER ROUTING REQUIREMENTS
    TE.TKT ENDORSEMENT
    THE ORIGINAL AND THE REISSUED TICKET MUST BE ANNOTATED -
    NON ENDORSABLE - IN THE ENDORSEMENT BOX.
    PE.PENALTIES
    CHANGES
    BEFORE DEPARTURE
    CHARGE GBP 75.00.
    PAGE 10/18
    > CHILD/INFANT DISCOUNTS APPLY.
    NOTE -
    A CHANGE IS A ROUTING / DATE / FLIGHT MODIFICATION
    WHEN MORE THAN ONE FARE COMPONENT IS BEING CHANGED
    THE HIGHEST PENALTY OF ALL CHANGED FARE COMPONENTS
    WILL APPLY
    ////
    // BEFORE OUTBOUND DEPARTURE //
    ////
    NEW RESERVATION AND REISSUANCE MUST BE MADE AT THE
    SAME TIME PRIOR TO DEPARTURE OF THE ORIGINALLY
    SCHEDULED FLIGHT. IF CHANGE DOES NOT OCCUR ON THE
    FIRST FARE COMPONENT OF THE JOURNEY NEW FARE
    WILL BE RECALCULATED USING FARES IN EFFECT ON THE
    PREVIOUS TICKETING DATE AND UNDER FOLLOWING
    CONDITIONS
    - IF SAME BOOKING CLASS IS USED NEW FARE MAY BE
    LOWER OR EQUAL OR HIGHER THAN PREVIOUS AND
    A / MUST COMPLY WITH ALL PROVISIONS OF THE
    ORIGINALLY TICKETED FARE
    B / OR MUST COMPLY WITH ALL PROVISIONS OF THE
    PAGE 11/18
    > NEW FARE BEING APPLIED
    - IF A DIFFERENT BOOKING CLASS IS USED NEW FARE
    MAY BE EQUAL OR HIGHER THAN PREVIOUS AND
    A / MUST COMPY WITH ALL PROVISIONS OF THE
    NEW FARE BEING APPLIED
    14/06/2010 Opodo - Fare rules
    opodo.co.uk/opodo/flights/fareNotes?… 4/11
    NEW RESERVATION AND REISSUANCE MUST BE MADE AT THE
    SAME TIME PRIOR TO DEPARTURE OF THE ORIGINALLY
    SCHEDULED FLIGHT. WHEN CHANGE OCCURS ON THE FIRST
    FARE COMPONENT OF THE JOURNEY ONLY OR ON THE
    FIRST FARE COMPONENT AND OTHER FARE COMPONENT OF
    THE JOURNEY NEW FARE WILL BE RECALCULATED USING
    FARES IN EFFECT ON DATE OF REISSUE AND UNDER
    FOLLOWING CONDITIONS
    - IF SAME BOOKING CLASS IS USED NEW FARE MAY BE
    LOWER OR EQUAL OR HIGHER THAN PREVIOUS AND
    A / MUST COMPLY WITH ALL PROVISIONS OF THE
    ORIGINALLY TICKETED FARE
    B / OR MUST COMPLY WITH ALL PROVISIONS OF THE
    NEW FARE BEING APPLIED
    - IF A DIFFERENT BOOKING CLASS IS USED NEW FARE
    PAGE 12/18
    > MAY BE EQUAL OR HIGHER THAN PREVIOUS AND
    A / MUST COMPLY WITH ALL PROVISIONS OF THE
    NEW FARE BEING APPLIED
    CHANGES NOT PERMITTED IN CASE OF NO-SHOW.
    NOTE -
    // BEFORE OUTBOUND DEPARTURE //
    // NO SHOW //
    IN THE EVENT OF NO SHOW - WHEN CHANGES ARE
    REQUESTED AFTER DEPARTURE OF THE ORIGINALLY
    SCHEDULED FLIGHT - CHANGES ARE NOT PERMITTED AND
    CANCELLATION RULES SHALL APPLY
    AFTER DEPARTURE
    CHARGE GBP 75.00.
    CHILD/INFANT DISCOUNTS APPLY.
    NOTE -
    /////
    // AFTER OUTBOUND DEPARTURE //
    ////
    NEW RESERVATION / REISSUANCE AND PAYMENT
    PAGE 13/18
    > OF THE PENALTY MUST BE MADE AT THE SAME TIME
    NEW FARE WILL BE RECALCULATED USING
    FARES IN EFFECT ON THE PREVIOUS TICKETING DATE
    AND UNDER FOLLOWING CONDITIONS
    - IF SAME BOOKING CLASS IS USED NEW FARE MAY BE
    LOWER OR EQUAL OR HIGHER THAN PREVIOUS AND
    A / MUST COMPLY WITH ALL PROVISIONS OF THE
    ORIGINALLY TICKETED FARE
    B / OR MUST COMPLY WITH ALL PROVISIONS OF THE
    NEW FARE BEING APPLIED
    - IF A DIFFERENT BOOKING CLASS IS USED NEW FARE
    MAY BE EQUAL OR HIGHER THAN PREVIOUS AND
    UNDER FOLLOWING CONDITIONS
    A / MUST COMPLY WITH ALL PROVISIONS OF THE NEW
    FARE BEING APPLIED
    CANCELLATIONS
    BEFORE DEPARTURE
    CHARGE GBP 150.00 FOR CANCEL.
    PAGE 14/18
    > CHILD/INFANT DISCOUNTS APPLY.
    NOTE -
    /////
    // BEFORE OUTBOUND DEPARTURE //
    /////
    14/06/2010 Opodo - Fare rules
    opodo.co.uk/opodo/flights/fareNotes?… 5/11
    THE WHOLLY UNUSED TICKET IS REFUNDABLE UPON
    PAYMENT OF THE PENALTY AMOUNT CONTAINED IN
    THIS RULE
    TICKET IS NON-REFUNDABLE IN CASE OF NO-SHOW.
    NOTE -
    // BEFORE OUTBOUND DEPATURE //
    // NO SHOW //
    TICKET IS NON REFUNDABLE WHEN PASSENGER CANCELS
    AFTER DEPARTURE OF THE ORIGINALLY SCHEDULED FLIGHT
    AFTER DEPARTURE
    TICKET IS NON-REFUNDABLE IN CASE OF CANCEL.
    NOTE -
    ////
    // AFTER OUTBOUND DEPARTURE //
    PAGE 15/18
    > ////
    TICKET IS NON REFUNDABLE WHEN PASSENGER CANCELS
    AFTER OUTBOUND DEPARTURE MEANING THAT NO REFUNDS
    ARE ALLOWED ONCE THE FIRST COUPON OF THE PRICING
    UNIT IS USED.
    NOTE -
    ANY TIME
    CANCELLATIONS RULES APPLY BY FARE COMPONENT
    WHEN COMBINING A REFUNDABLE TICKET WITH A
    NON REFUNDABLE TICKET PROVISIONS WILL APPLY
    AS FOLLOWS
    - THE AMOUNT PAID ON THE REFUNDABLE FARE
    COMPONENT WILL BE REFUNDED UPON PAYMENT
    OF THE PENALTY AMOUNT IF APPLICABLE
    - THE AMOUNT PAID ON THE NON REFUNDABLE
    FARE COMPONENT WILL NOT BE REFUNDED
    CO.COMBINABILITY
    ADD-ONS PERMITTED.
    END-ON-END
    PAGE 16/18
    > END-ON-END COMBINATIONS PERMITTED WITH DOMESTIC FARES
    BUT ARE NOT PERMITTED WITH INTERNATIONAL FARES. VALIDATE
    ALL FARE COMPONENTS. FARES MUST BE SHOWN SEPARATELY ON
    THE TICKET. TRAVEL MUST BE VIA THE POINT OF COMBINATION.
    PROVIDED -
    COMBINATIONS ARE WITH ANY RULE IN ANY PRIVATE TARIFF.
    OPEN JAWS/ROUND TRIPS/CIRCLE TRIPS
    FARES MAY BE COMBINED ON A HALF ROUND TRIP BASIS
    -TO FORM SINGLE OR DOUBLE OPEN JAWS/ROUND TRIPS/CIRCLE
    TRIPS.
    PROVIDED -
    COMBINATIONS ARE WITH ANY FARE FOR CARRIER KL/AF WITH
    ANY RULE IN ANY PRIVATE TARIFF.
    MD.MISCELLANEOUS DATA
    NOTE -
    THE FARE THAT APPLIES ON THE DATE OF PURCHASE
    IS ONLY VALID FOR THE ENTIRE ITINERARY AND THE
    SPECIFIC TRAVEL DATES MENTIONED ON THE TICKET.
    ANY MODIFICATION MAY REQUIRE THE PAYMENT OF AN
    PAGE 17/18
    > ADDITIONAL AMOUNT.
    FULL AND SEQUENTIAL USE OF FLIGHT COUPONSTHE
    TICKET/ OR ELECTRONIC TICKET / IS NOT VALID IF
    THE FIRST COUPON HAS NOT BEEN USED AND WILL NOT
    14/06/2010 Opodo - Fare rules
    opodo.co.uk/opodo/flights/fareNotes?… 6/11
    BE HONORED IF ALL THE COUPONS ARE NOT USED IN THE
    SEQUENCE PROVIDED IN THE TICKET / OR ELECTRONIC
    TICKET / .
    VC.VOLUNTARY CHANGES
    VOLUNTARY CHANGES CONDITIONS MAY APPLY FOR AUTOMATED
    REISSUE/REVALIDATION
    REFER TO PENALTIES CATEGORY *PE FOR DETAILS
    PAGE 18/18
    >
    Leg Num: 2
    Pax Code: ADT
    Fare Note: FQN1-2
    1 - PSGR P1 ADT RULES DISPLAY
    FARE COMPONENT 2 ADT JNBNCL AF QLGBLC
    FCL: QLGBLC TRF: 950 RULE: 7522 BK: Q
    SELLING UPDATER: OP 3GBLON981
    PTC: ADT-ADULT FTC: XPB-SUPER/SPCL INST PURCHASE
    RU.RULE APPLICATION
    AIR FRANCE - ECONOMY FARES
    FROM UNITED KINGDOM TO AFRICA / INDIAN OCEAN .
    APPLICATION
    AREA
    THESE FARES APPLY
    FROM UNITED KINGDOM TO AFRICA.
    CLASS OF SERVICE
    THESE FARES APPLY FOR ECONOMY CLASS SERVICE.
    TYPES OF TRANSPORTATION
    FARES GOVERNED BY THIS RULE CAN BE USED TO CREATE
    ONE-WAY/ROUND-TRIP/CIRCLE-TRIP/OPEN-JAW JOURNEYS.
    CAPACITY LIMITATIONS
    THE CARRIER SHALL LIMIT THE NUMBER OF PASSENGERS CARRIED
    PAGE 1/13
    > ON ANY ONE FLIGHT AT FARES GOVERNED BY THIS RULE AND SUCH
    FARES WILL NOT NECESSARILY BE AVAILABLE ON ALL FLIGHTS.
    THE NUMBER OF SEATS WHICH THE CARRIER SHALL MAKE
    AVAILABLE ON A GIVEN FLIGHT WILL BE DETERMINED BY THE
    CARRIERS BEST JUDGMENT
    OTHER CONDITIONS
    THE FARE THAT APPLIES ON THE DATE OF PURCHASE
    IS ONLY VALID FOR THE ENTIRE ITINERARY AND THE
    SPECIFIC TRAVEL DATES MENTIONED ON THE TICKET.
    ANY MODIFICATION MAY REQUIRE THE PAYMENT OF AN
    ADDITIONAL AMOUNT.
    FULL AND SEQUENTIAL USE OF FLIGHT COUPONSTHE
    TICKET/ OR ELECTRONIC TICKET / IS NOT VALID IF
    THE FIRST COUPON HAS NOT BEEN USED AND WILL NOT
    BE HONORED IF ALL THE COUPONS ARE NOT USED IN THE
    SEQUENCE PROVIDED IN THE TICKET / OR ELECTRONIC
    TICKET / .
    MN.MIN STAY
    FOR ROUND TRIP FARES
    PAGE 2/13
    > TRAVEL FROM TURNAROUND MUST COMMENCE NO EARLIER THAN THE
    FIRST SUN AFTER DEPARTURE FROM FARE ORIGIN.
    MX.MAX STAY
    FOR ROUND TRIP FARES
    TRAVEL FROM LAST STOPOVER MUST COMMENCE NO LATER THAN 12
    14/06/2010 Opodo - Fare rules
    opodo.co.uk/opodo/flights/fareNotes?… 7/11
    MONTHS AFTER DEPARTURE FROM FARE ORIGIN.
    SE.SEASONS
    BETWEEN UNITED KINGDOM AND SOUTH AFRICA FOR BASIC SEASON
    FARES
    PERMITTED 01JAN THROUGH 18JUL OR 19AUG THROUGH 09DEC OR
    25DEC THROUGH 31DEC ON THE FIRST INTERNATIONAL SECTOR.
    AP.ADVANCE RES/TKT
    RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED FOR ALL SECTORS.
    WHEN RESERVATIONS ARE MADE AT LEAST 100 DAYS BEFORE
    PAGE 3/13
    > DEPARTURE TICKETING MUST BE COMPLETED AT LEAST 93 DAYS
    BEFORE DEPARTURE.
    OR - RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED FOR ALL SECTORS.
    WHEN RESERVATIONS ARE MADE AT LEAST 11 DAYS BEFORE
    DEPARTURE TICKETING MUST BE COMPLETED WITHIN 7 DAYS
    AFTER RESERVATIONS ARE MADE OR AT LEAST 10 DAYS
    BEFORE DEPARTURE WHICHEVER IS EARLIER.
    OR - RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED FOR ALL SECTORS.
    TICKETING MUST BE COMPLETED WITHIN 1 DAY AFTER
    RESERVATIONS ARE MADE.
    NOTE -
    DIFFERENCE COULD EXIST BETWEEN THE CRS
    LAST TICKETING DATE AND TTL ROBOT REMARK.
    THE MOST RESTRICTIVE DATE PREVAILS.
    FL.FLT APPLICATION
    FROM/TO SOUTH AFRICA
    THE FARE COMPONENT MUST NOT BE ON
    ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING
    ANY LH FLIGHT
    PAGE 4/13
    > ANY IB FLIGHT, ANY LX FLIGHT, ANY FC FLIGHT, ANY SK FLIGHT
    ANY AA FLIGHT, ANY US FLIGHT, ANY UA FLIGHT, ANY UU FLIGHT, ANY PK FLIGHT, ANY FG FLIGHT, ANY QZ FLIGHT, ANY 3Y FLIGHT, ANY RI FLIGHT, ANY MZ FLIGHT, ANY 7P FLIGHT, ANY AW FLIGHT, ANY RW FLIGHT, ANY NV FLIGHT, ANY DC FLIGHT, ANY QH FLIGHT, ANY R8 FLIGHT

    PAGE 5/13
    > ANY O3 FLIGHT, ANY I7 FLIGHT,ANY Q4 FLIGHT, ANY EO FLIGHT, ANY W5 FLIGHT, ANY UF FLIGHT, ANY KF FLIGHT,
    14/06/2010 Opodo - Fare rules
    opodo.co.uk/opodo/flights/fareNotes?… 8/11
    ANY C2 FLIGHT,ANY OD FLIGHT, ANY K9 FLIGHT, ANY X7 FLIGHT, ANY FT FLIGHT, ANY MQ FLIGHT, ANY 2S FLIGHT, ANY Z7 FLIGHT, ANY 6A FLIGHT, ANY M9 FLIGHT, ANY IP FLIGHT, ANY W7 FLIGHT, ANY SX FLIGHT, ANY UQ FLIGHT
    PAGE 6/13
    > ANY Q8 FLIGHT, ANY D3 FLIGHT ANY KJ FLIGHT.
    AND
    THE FARE COMPONENT MUST NOT BE ON
    ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING
    ANY 8F FLIGHT, aNY CO FLIGHT, ANY SN FLIGHT ,ANY AB FLIGHT, ANY SM FLIGHT, ANY SD FLIGHT, ANY PR FLIGHT.
    NOTE -
    THE FARE COMPONENT MUST NOT BE ON
    ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING
    ANY 0K FLIGHT, ANY DZ FLIGHT
    CD.CHILD DISCOUNTS
    PAGE 7/13
    > ACCOMPANIED CHILD 2-11. ID REQUIRED - CHARGE 75 PERCENT OF
    THE FARE.
    TICKET DESIGNATOR - CH.
    MUST BE ACCOMPANIED ON ALL FLIGHTS IN SAME COMPARTMENT
    BY ADULT 18 OR OLDER
    OR - INFANT UNDER 2 WITH A SEAT. ID REQUIRED - CHARGE 75
    PERCENT OF THE FARE.
    TICKET DESIGNATOR - CH.
    MUST BE ACCOMPANIED ON ALL FLIGHTS IN SAME
    COMPARTMENT BY ADULT 18 OR OLDER
    OR - INFANT UNDER 2 WITHOUT A SEAT - CHARGE 10 PERCENT OF
    THE FARE.
    TICKET DESIGNATOR - IN.
    MUST BE ACCOMPANIED ON ALL FLIGHTS IN SAME
    COMPARTMENT BY ADULT 18 OR OLDER.
    UNACCOMPANIED CHILD 5-14. ID REQUIRED - CHARGE 100 PERCENT
    OF THE FARE PLUS EUR 150.00.
    TICKET DESIGNATOR - UM.
    NOTE -
    SERVICE CHARGE FOR UNACCOMPANIED CHILD
    PAGE 8/13
    > OR - UNACCOMPANIED CHILD 5-14. ID REQUIRED - CHARGE 100
    PERCENT OF THE FARE PLUS USD 216.00.
    TICKET DESIGNATOR - UM.
    NOTE -
    SERVICE CHARGE FOR UNACCOMPANIED CHILD
    TC.TOUR CONDUCTOR
    14/06/2010 Opodo - Fare rules
    opodo.co.uk/opodo/flights/fareNotes?… 9/11
    TOUR CONDUCTOR - NO DISCOUNT.
    AD.AGTS DISCOUNTS
    AGENT - NO DISCOUNT.
    SO.STOPOVERS
    2 STOPOVERS PERMITTED - 1 IN EACH DIRECTION AT GBP 75.00
    EACH.
    CHILD/INFANT DISCOUNTS APPLY.
    TF.TRANSFERS/RTGS
    PAGE 9/13
    >
    UNLIMITED TRANSFERS PERMITTED ON THE FARE COMPONENT
    FARE BREAK SURFACE SECTORS NOT PERMITTED AND EMBEDDED
    SURFACE SECTORS PERMITTED ON THE FARE COMPONENT.
    NOTE -
    OR
    AS PER ROUTING REQUIREMENTS
    TE.TKT ENDORSEMENT
    THE ORIGINAL AND THE REISSUED TICKET MUST BE ANNOTATED -
    NON ENDORSABLE - IN THE ENDORSEMENT BOX.
    PE.PENALTIES
    CHANGES
    ANY TIME
    CHANGES NOT PERMITTED.
    CANCELLATIONS
    PAGE 10/13
    >
    ANY TIME
    TICKET IS NON-REFUNDABLE IN CASE OF CANCEL.
    TICKET IS NON-REFUNDABLE IN CASE OF NO-SHOW.
    NOTE -
    ANY TIME
    CANCELLATIONS RULES APPLY BY FARE COMPONENT
    WHEN COMBINING A REFUNDABLE TICKET WITH A
    NON REFUNDABLE TICKET PROVISIONS WILL APPLY
    AS FOLLOWS
    - THE AMOUNT PAID ON THE REFUNDABLE FARE
    COMPONENT WILL BE REFUNDED UPON PAYMENT
    OF THE PENALTY AMOUNT IF APPLICABLE
    - THE AMOUNT PAID ON THE NON REFUNDABLE
    FARE COMPONENT WILL NOT BE REFUNDED
    CO.COMBINABILITY
    ADD-ONS PERMITTED.
    END-ON-END
    END-ON-END COMBINATIONS PERMITTED WITH DOMESTIC FARES
    PAGE 11/13
    > BUT ARE NOT PERMITTED WITH INTERNATIONAL FARES. VALIDATE
    ALL FARE COMPONENTS. FARES MUST BE SHOWN SEPARATELY ON
    THE TICKET. TRAVEL MUST BE VIA THE POINT OF COMBINATION.
    PROVIDED -
    COMBINATIONS ARE WITH ANY RULE IN ANY PRIVATE TARIFF.
    OPEN JAWS/ROUND TRIPS/CIRCLE TRIPS
    14/06/2010 Opodo - Fare rules
    opodo.co.uk/opodo/flights/fareNotes?… 10/11
    FARES MAY BE COMBINED ON A HALF ROUND TRIP BASIS
    -TO FORM SINGLE OR DOUBLE OPEN JAWS/ROUND TRIPS/CIRCLE
    TRIPS.
    PROVIDED -
    COMBINATIONS ARE WITH ANY FARE FOR CARRIER KL/AF WITH
    ANY RULE IN ANY PRIVATE TARIFF.
    MD.MISCELLANEOUS DATA
    NOTE -
    THE FARE THAT APPLIES ON THE DATE OF PURCHASE
    IS ONLY VALID FOR THE ENTIRE ITINERARY AND THE
    SPECIFIC TRAVEL DATES MENTIONED ON THE TICKET.
    ANY MODIFICATION MAY REQUIRE THE PAYMENT OF AN
    ADDITIONAL AMOUNT.
    PAGE 12/13
    > FULL AND SEQUENTIAL USE OF FLIGHT COUPONSTHE
    TICKET/ OR ELECTRONIC TICKET / IS NOT VALID IF
    THE FIRST COUPON HAS NOT BEEN USED AND WILL NOT
    BE HONORED IF ALL THE COUPONS ARE NOT USED IN THE
    SEQUENCE PROVIDED IN THE TICKET / OR ELECTRONIC
    TICKET / .
    VC.VOLUNTARY CHANGES
    VOLUNTARY CHANGES CONDITIONS MAY APPLY FOR AUTOMATED
    REISSUE/REVALIDATION
    REFER TO PENALTIES CATEGORY *PE FOR DETAILS
    PAGE 13/13
  • dmg24
    dmg24 Posts: 33,925 Forumite
    I think I know what has happened. I had a feeling you were going to say it was Air France, they never make things simple!

    Your ticket is made up from more than one fare bucket. Some of the fare buckets that you have booked do allow for cancellations and changes when booked on their own, however some do not. When booked as part of one ticket, the most stringent penalties apply to the whole ticket, and hence you cannot make changes.

    The information is there in the fare conditions, but I can see why you could get confused. I cannot see any grounds for challenging it, especially with Air France, they are not customer friendly (although they are very nice to fly with).
    Gone ... or have I?
  • Moonchild
    Moonchild Posts: 802 Forumite
    Yeh, it's been pretty much explained above.

    From UK - SA - T Class Fare (changes permitted but payable)
    From SA - UK - Q Class Fare (no changes permitted)

    The reason being - Q Class is a special offer fare, but wasn't available on the way out, so it combined with a more expensive fare.

    i.e. (figures made up)
    UK - SA - Q Class - £400
    UK - SA - T Class - £500

    You had a mix of the two, so paid £450.

    However, T Class (at £500) is the cheapest ticket that allows changes. Your ticket (at £450) takes on the most restrictive conditions and doesn't allow changes.

    I cannot see any grounds for challenging it. I'd always recommend speaking to a human being if a flexible ticket is required.
  • Heliflyguy
    Heliflyguy Posts: 932 Forumite
    Tenth Anniversary 500 Posts Combo Breaker
    Both your tickets are on a special fare (IT fare) your return is in the lowest class/fare Q, the next fare levels L, V, T, H allow changes @ £75 after that A has an advanced purchase of 21 days with changes at £150.

    Not much help in this case I know but maybe helpful when you next have to book a flexible ticket with an agent.

    Looks like you paid a reasonable price I hope you can look forward to your trip and dont forget some ear plugs.
  • Thank you everyone for your expert advice and help. I will try contacting Opodo (if they call me back, been waiting 2 days for manager). I would have been happy to pay the higher fare for the flexibility. Opodo were not even the cheapest but I thought for the added assistance and flexibility it was worth the extra.

    Still find it morally wrong that they sell you an additional feature that you cant use. If this was a loan they would be guilty of miselling.

    Lesson learnt, speak to an advisor.

    I am still going to try and get my flight changed even if I have to pay the additional. Also contact the credit card company and see if they can apply some pressure.

    The daft thing is I only MAY want to change my return flight.
  • dmg24
    dmg24 Posts: 33,925 Forumite
    mckaymmc wrote: »
    Thank you everyone for your expert advice and help. I will try contacting Opodo (if they call me back, been waiting 2 days for manager). I would have been happy to pay the higher fare for the flexibility. Opodo were not even the cheapest but I thought for the added assistance and flexibility it was worth the extra.

    Still find it morally wrong that they sell you an additional feature that you cant use. If this was a loan they would be guilty of miselling.

    Lesson learnt, speak to an advisor.

    I am still going to try and get my flight changed even if I have to pay the additional. Also contact the credit card company and see if they can apply some pressure.

    The daft thing is I only MAY want to change my return flight.

    The CC company will not be interested, Opodo/ AF are not in breach of contract.

    I would be amazed (and very impressed) if you get anywhere with AF (and Opodo cannot do anything without the agreement of AF). My ex was a Flying Blue Platinum and they would not bend the rules for him, so I doubt they would for someone with no status. Having said that, if you do want to try your luck directly with AF, I would speak to their US call centre rather than the French one. ;)
    Gone ... or have I?
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