Booking to and from on different airlines

[boneca]

Here's the situation: I recently booked a trip online going to the States with United and returning with American Airlines. Unfortunately, I had to change my return flight to come home earlier...I realized that there was going to be costs associated with this...I figured $150.00 max., but when I called American to change my flight the agent told me it would cost me $811. I was like what??? how come so much??? The agent replied that because I flew in with United I would have to pay the total price of the ticket.

Is this common when booking with different airlines? I fly to the States quite often these days and would like to avoid this from occurring again. Should I book with the same airline next time? Any thoughts?

Thanks.

[4flava]

Hmmm, I thought they only charge $50 at the airport to change to a different flight.

I've changed many times and sometimes they charge me $50 but most of the time you can sweet talk your way to having the fee waved... I'd say get it changed at the airport when you reach your destination.

[boneca]

See that's what I thought...but apparently because I booked one ticket with two different airlines I paid the return ticket full price...and I couldn't go to the airport to change the ticket cause it's far from my friend's place and I wasn't sure when the next available flight was. So I'm not too sure what the policy on this is....

Update: I decided to call the online site I booked with and basically they said that I should book with the same airline next time. Ahh well...you live and learn.

[nalababe]

Hmmm, I thought they only charge $50 at the airport to change to a different flight.

I've changed many times and sometimes they charge me $50 but most of the time you can sweet talk your way to having the fee waved... I'd say get it changed at the airport when you reach your destination.

It depends on the fare class and the day of travel. If changing for a different day, the 50$ is not applicable as this is same day change at the airport. So to change for a different day, you pay the change fee (between 50 and 150) and the difference in fare (now remember that your change will not have been book in advance or lower class fares may all be booked).