Today AA announced a new pricing scheme for domestic flights, they will 'compete' on the non-refundable, deep discount normal tickets, but add bundling options for features such a checked bag, and the ability to change the ticket w/o a change fee later, priority boarding, premium drinks on board, etc.
Of particular interest I think, is the ability to buy "insurance" for the change fee (its looking like ~$50 more to waive a future change fee).
I doubt SHARES can support such a system, but it seems to me like a good strategy. I think for many people (especially leisure folks traveling on $200-300 tickets), the prospect of a $150 change fee is ridiculous, while they'd probably gladly pay $50 for the assurance they could change later if something comes up.
I was looking at IST-TLV on TK, the 'non-refundable' tickets were $400, but fully refundable added about $100 to the ticket, which made sense.
Of particular interest I think, is the ability to buy "insurance" for the change fee (its looking like ~$50 more to waive a future change fee).
I doubt SHARES can support such a system, but it seems to me like a good strategy. I think for many people (especially leisure folks traveling on $200-300 tickets), the prospect of a $150 change fee is ridiculous, while they'd probably gladly pay $50 for the assurance they could change later if something comes up.
I was looking at IST-TLV on TK, the 'non-refundable' tickets were $400, but fully refundable added about $100 to the ticket, which made sense.