JetBlue today delivered on its plan to offer refundable fares, allowing purchasers to change reservations, including the passenger name, or receive a full refund for cancellations prior to departure.
JetBlue said the fare option is accessible through direct channels and global distribution systems. The carrier said refundable fare pricing would vary depending on haul length, but would range between $50 and $100 higher than its highest nonrefundable fare.
"Our previous highest nonrefundable fare was in the Y class," a spokesperson said. "Those highest nonrefundable fares are being moved to an E class, and the Y class is now going to be our refundable fare option."
JetBlue had been working toward refundable fares since last year. Chairman David Neeleman in May 2007 told attendees at Corporate Travel World in New York that the carrier soon would begin testing the option as a means to garner more corporate business and generate revenue. Neeleman said the carrier aimed to be more flexible in its refundable fare rules than domestic competitors by allowing travel buyers to accumulate refundable fare credits and apply them to other travelers
(BTNonline, May 22, 2007)