When You Find a Lower Fare to Hawaii After You Buy

Good News: Most domestic airlines serving Hawaii offer two types of low fare guarantees in case you find a better price elsewhere. I’ll also tell you about a good way to track changes to your fare once you’ve bought your ticket.

Bad News:  Your fare needs to drop soon after purchase to get the best refund deal.

Surprising Fact:  Two airlines serving Hawaii don’t fully participate.  Can you guess them?

Two ways to get a refund if your price drops:

1.  The same day of purchase.

You have to find a lower priced fare on the same flight, date, itinerary and class of service as the ticket you’ve purchased.  Most airlines will refund the difference and give you a discount code to be used on a future flight.  Each airline has a different policy so I’ve prepared the guide below to help.

2.  At any point between purchase and day of travel.

A ticket reissue fee applies which could be a deal breaker.  Most airlines charge $150.  To get money back on your credit card, the fare difference needs to be significant.

Alaska Airlines.  Find at least a $5.00 lower fare within 24 hours of purchase and you’ll receive a refund and $50 discount code for a future flight.  The catch:  You must call Alaska Airlines at 1-800-654-5669 between 8 am and 6pm, Pacific Time, Monday to Friday for this offer.  If your 24 hour clock expires on Saturday or Sunday, it looks like you’re out of luck.  After 24 hours, a $100 reissue fee applies.

American Airlines.  File your claim on-line by midnight, Central Time, on the same day you purchased the ticket for a refund.  The price difference needs to be $5.00 or more.  Your reward is a $50 promo code. Thereafter, a $150 reissue fee applies.

Continental Airlines.  Find a fare at least $10.00 lower and you’ll receive a $100 electronic certificate with your refund.   You must call 1-800-490-2021 by midnight, Central Time, on the day you purchased the ticket. Thereafter, a $150 reissue fee applies.

Delta Airlines.  Similar to Continental except you must submit your claim on-line by midnight, Eastern Time, on the day of purchase for a $100 discount code.  A refund only will be given the day after purchase if you find a lower fare. Thereafter, a $150 reissue fee applies.

United Airlines.  You have until midnight, Central Time, on the day of purchase to receive a $50 discount code.  The price difference needs to be $10 or more and your claim is filed on-line. Thereafter, a $150 reissue fee applies.  This was only recently implemented.

The airlines without a low fare guarantee: Hawaiian and US Airways:

These two carriers only offer the $150 ticket reissue fee type of price guarantee once you purchase.

How to keep track of lower fares:

Yapta.com offers to automatically track the price you paid, any new lower prices, as well as the airline’s fees. If the difference exceeds the fee amount, Yapta will send you an e-mail or Twitter to notify you of the refund opportunity. You can contact the airline directly to obtain the credit or Yapta will do the work for you for $15 (during their business hours).

Bottom Line:

Keep close track of the prices and don’t wait.  If you see the price go down, act immediately.