Emergency flexibility for Existing Tickets Using a General Rule
Background
Due to publicly filed Contracts of Carriage, airlines must abide by the fare rules in effect at the time of original ticket issue; therefore, the industry had no ability to update fare rules for previously issued tickets. Due to critical needs during this time, the industry has enhanced the automated fare rules to enable greater flexibility for changes.
Carriers will now be able to file a “General Rule” that can override Voluntary Changes (Category 31) and Voluntary Refunds (Category 33). It will also allow a carrier to add this General Rule to Penalties (Category 16) only if that category in turn references General Rule coding existing in Voluntary Changes (Category 31) and Voluntary Refunds (Category 33). This General Rule will allow carriers to provide automated waivers for Voluntary Changes and Voluntary Refunds in the form of published fare rules for previously issued and current tickets when using our Automated Exchanges and Automated Refunds products. Sabre Air Pricing is fully compliant with the new rules.
What is a General Rule?
General rules are filed by carriers to simplify their fare filing process. A general rule is a standard rule that will apply for many fares within a single tariff. With this capability carriers avoid having to load the same fare condition repeatedly for every single fare basis code. Until now, these rules could not apply for Categories 31 and 33.
What does this mean for agencies?
During crisis times, carriers often waive fare rules for exchanges and refunds. In the past it has always been a manual effort. Any exchanges or refunds using these waivers were unable to use Sabre Automated Exchanges and Automated Refunds products, and the non-automated exchange/refund transactions were not covered by the Sabre Fare Guarantee. With the new General Rule option, carriers may choose to file these waivers in the automated categories, Voluntary Changes (Category 31), and Voluntary Refunds (Category 33), which will allow a guaranteed exchange/refund transaction using the Sabre Automated Exchanges and Automated Refunds products.
Notes on this General Rule:
· The General Rule will not be visible in the Voluntary Changes and Voluntary Refunds text. Carriers may add non-automated text in the Penalties (Category 16) rules area for viewing at time of exchange or refund. Please see detailed information later in the document.
· Carriers may choose to expire the General Rule at any time without notice (just as fares may be expired without notice).
· This is not a change to a fare’s Voluntary Changes and Voluntary Refunds categories; If the General Rule is in effect and applies at the time of the ticket exchange or refund it will supersede these categories’ normal fare rules. •
· If a ticket has more than one fare component it is possible that not all fares will have a General Rule in place. In this case, at the time of Automated Exchange or Automated Refund it may be possible that a mix of special General Rule and old/existing fare rules will apply.
o Remember, some fare rules require the highest fee or most restrictive rule will apply.
For example, if one fare has a special General Rule with a Voluntary Change penalty of USD 0.00 but another fare has a Voluntary Change penalty of USD 200.00 then the USD 200.00 fee may apply.
How will I know if a General Rule is in effect?
The best way to determine this is to attempt the exchange/reissue or refund using the Automated Exchanges or Automated Refunds products. Sabre will read the filed instructions from the carrier and apply all emergency flexibility policies. The Sabre Fare Guarantee policy applies to Automated Exchanges and Automated Refunds using this new General Rule. We recommend you check the applicable fare rules text by viewing Penalties (Category 16) and Voluntary Changes (Category 31) first to make note of any expected penalties or rules that disallow change/refund. If the Automated Exchanges or Automated Refunds products, then allow the transaction with a reduced penalty or restrictions it means the General Rule is in effect.
You may request the Penalties (Category 16) text in Sabre Red 360 using Manual Command, or in Sabre Red Workspace, or in the Air Fare Rules APIs to see if a General Rule is in effect today by using the default ticketing date of today for the Fare Basis Code(s) on the original ticket. If the Fare Basis, Tariff, and Rule issued on the ticket have not expired you will be able to view the applicable General Rule information at the beginning of the Penalties (Category 16) information. See Examples at the end of this document. Please note our initial release on June 7th, 2020, will not allow viewing in Sabre Red 360 Command Helper mode.
The special General Rule will be shown in the Penalties (Category 16) text and marked with:
*SPECIAL EMERGENCY RULES
*SUBJECT TO CHANGE AT ANYTIME
The Penalties (Category 16) may also have text under the header “General Rule”. The text following that header is based on the original/existing rules. An example is shown later in the document.)
It is important to remember that this General Rule is intended as a waiver on existing rules and is only applicable if in effect at the time of Exchange/Reissue/Refund. Because of this, and due to the unusual nature of this special General Rule, if the Fare Basis Code(s) from the original ticket have expired there is no way to view the applicable Penalties (Category 16) information using historical or back-date Fare Quote/Rules Display entries at this time. The entries to display past-date rules (directly or from a past[1]date Fare Quote) do not have an option to include “Exchange/Reissue/Refund Date”, therefore our system to display this text has no means to identify your intent to perform the transaction today.
What if I am unable to use the Automated Exchanges and/or Automated Refunds products?
This industry change is only applicable to the automated processes: WFRF for Automated Exchanges, and WFRA for Automated Refunds. If you must use regular Exchanges and Refunds, WFR or WFRR, (for example, the ticket is no longer visible in our database, or your agency does not use the Automated Exchanges and/or Automated Refunds products) you will need to continue with your current process of calculating any change/cancel penalties and correctly applying the fare rules from the carrier. If you are unable to verify that a General Rule with less restrictive policies is currently in effect you should check directly with the carrier for their current policy and fee amounts, any necessary waiver codes or documentation required, etc.
Is the General Rule visible in the Structured Fare Rules response?
No, the Structured Fare Rules will not read General Rules. Because the General Rule may be a limited[1]time waiver we must quote the actual rules that may be more restrictive. Remember Structured Fare Rules always quotes the most restrictive rule and/or highest penalty amount per the itinerary.
Is this visible in the ‡MP-I response in Sabre Red Workspace or Sabre Red 360, or when requesting fares using ‡MPR- or ‡MPC-?
No, the Maximum Penalty qualifiers will not read General Rules. Because the General Rule may be a limited-time waiver, we must quote the actual rules from Categories 31/33, and they may be more restrictive. Remember that Maximum Penalty qualifiers always quote the most restrictive rule per the itinerary.
Will Exchange Shopping be able to use this rule?
Yes, Sabre will automatically apply any General Rules during Exchange Shopping.
I checked the Penalties (Category 16) rules for a ticket I am selling today, and I see a “*Special Emergency Rules” notation. Should I advise my client of this General Rule when they purchase a ticket?
Remember, the more lenient General Rule may or may not expire before a client’s Voluntary Change or Voluntary Refund request. Be cautious when advising a customer of this rule as it is subject to change. The most restrictive rules should always be quoted, and it is your choice to quote this additional information.
What if my client purchases a ticket while the General Rule is in effect but requests a Voluntary Change or Voluntary Refund after the rule has expired?
Normal Voluntary Change and Voluntary Refund fare rules will apply. The ticket may or may not be eligible for an Automated Exchange or Automated Refund just as it is today. If you believe the ticket should have penalties or other rules waived, you may choose to contact the carrier to request a waiver for a non-automated exchange or refund.
I’ve noticed carriers are currently filing less-restrictive fare rules today. Why is the General Rule needed if they have already changed their restrictions?
Carriers have the choice of:
· retaining any current less-restrictive fare rules; reverting to their customary (pre-pandemic) Penalties, Voluntary Change, and Voluntary Refund restrictions
· or changing rules in any other manner.
Remember, the General Rule is primarily intended to provide flexibility for existing tickets, i.e. those issued prior to 01 March 2020 but it may remain in effect for tickets issued throughout the crisis time including new tickets issued on/after the implementation on 07 June 2020.
Are carriers required to file a General Rule?
No, this is carrier choice.
Will this option for a General Rule persist forever?
At this time, it is expected the industry will allow these rules only in exceptional circumstances. We will provide notification if the industry mandates the expiration of all General Rules for Voluntary Changes and Refunds.
Do you have a list of carriers using this rule?
No. Carriers will determine when and if to file, amend, or expire this General Rule. We recommend you check the carriers’ information pages linked on our website: https://your.sabre.com/inthistogether/airline_policy_links
Where can I view the special emergency rules text as filed via ATPCO Category 16 (Penalties)?
For the initial release on June 7, 2020, the text will be viewable via the following:
· Sabre Red 360 Manual Mode
o Only Manual Mode will be able to view these rules as the individual Category 16 display is required. This will be changed in a future release so that Sabre Red 360 Command Mode, where all rules are shown, and Rule Display without requesting Category 16 information will be able to show the text.
· Sabre Red Workspace Entries
· OTA_AirRulesLLSRQ API
· PO_RulesFromPriceRQ API
Examples of General Rule Text in Category 16
The specific Category 16 display is required as shown in the following examples.
· Alpha code “PN” may be substituted for Category Code “16” if desired
· See Sabre Dev Studio for information on including a category code in your API request
Direct Rule Display Including Category – Ticketing Date “Today”
Whether issuing a new ticket or exchanging/reissuing/refunding “today”
Entry:
RDDFWLAX10JULV7AKZNY1-XX*16«
Response:
V FARE BASIS BK FARE TRAVEL-TICKET AP MINMAX RTG
1 V7AKZNY1 B‡X 225.00 ---- 7/1 -/ - 405
PASSENGER TYPE-ADT AUTO PRICE-YES
FROM-DFW TO-LAX CXR-XX TVL-10JUL20 RULE-CV19 DFR/11
FARE BASIS-V7AKZNY1 SPECIAL FARE DIS-N VENDOR-ATP
FARE TYPE-EOU OW-ECONOMY OW UNBUNDLED
USD 225.00 0405 E20MAY20 D-INFINITY FC-V7AKZNY1 FN-
SYSTEM DATES - CREATED 20MAY20/1259 EXPIRES INFINITY
Ensure you check the carrier website and read the complete Category 16 and Category 31 text to apply rules correctly if performing a non-automated exchange/reissue, and the complete Category 16 text if performing a non-automated refund.
At this time, we are unable to display the special General Rule text if you fail to enter the category code. The General Rule information will not be shown upon “move down” to Category 16 (Penalties). We will update via Sabre Advance Notification when we are able to display the special General Rule from the full rules text.
Entry:
RDDFWLAX10JULV7AKZNY1-XX«
Follow-on entry:
MD/16.
Response:
16.PENALTIES
CANCELLATIONS
TICKET IS NON-REFUNDABLE IN CASE OF CANCEL/NO-SHOW.
NOTE - TEXT BELOW NOT VALIDATED FOR AUTOPRICING.
TICKET MAY NOT BE APPLIED TOWARDS PURCHASE OF ANY
OTHER TICKET. UNUSED COUPONS HAVE NO RESIDUAL
VALUE.
CHANGES
CHANGES NOT PERMITTED.
Rule Display from Fare Quote – Ticketing Date “Today”
Entry:
FQDFWLAX10JUL‡BV-XX
‡BV allows you to show only fares booked in “V” class of service, so let’s assume our V7AKZNY1 fare returns on line one of this Fare Quote response
Response:
FQDFWLAX10JUL‡BV-XX«
DFW-LAX CXR-XX FRI 10JUL20 USD
THE FOLLOWING CARRIERS ALSO PUBLISH FARES DFW-LAX:
4B 9W AA AF AS BA CO DL F9 HA JL KM LH LO NK NW QF QQ SY U0 UA VN
VX WN WS X0 YX
//SEE FQHELP FOR INFORMATION ABOUT THE NEW FARE DISPLAYS//
7.5 PERCENT TAXES INCLUDED / FT FOR BREAKDOWN-SEE N*/USTAX1
SEGMENT TAXES NOT INCLUDED SEE N*/USTAX2
PSGR FACILITY CHARGES MAY APPLY-ENTER PXCHELP
ALL FEES/SVC CHARGES NOT INCLUDED UNTIL ITINERARY PRICED
XX DFWLAX 10JUL20
V FARE BASIS BK FARE TRAVEL-TICKET AP MINMAX RTG
1 V7AKZNY1 V X 225.00 ---- 7/1 -/ - 405
2 V7AKZAB2 V X 282.00 ---- 3/1 -/ - 405
405* 1. DFW-ABQ/AUS/DEN/ELP/FAT/FYV/HOU/LAS/OKC/SAN/SAT/SJC/
SLC/SMF/TUS-LAX
2. DFW-CHI/DFW-LAX
Follow-on entry:
RD1*16«
Response:
V FARE BASIS BK FARE TRAVEL-TICKET AP MINMAX RTG
1 V7AKZNY1 V X 225.00 ---- 7/1 -/ - 405
PASSENGER TYPE-ADT AUTO PRICE-YES
FROM-DFW TO-LAX CXR-XX TVL-10JUL20 RULE-M11I DFR/11
FARE BASIS-V7AKZNY1 SPECIAL FARE DIS-N VENDOR-ATP
FARE TYPE-SIP OW-INSTANT PURCHASE
USD 225.00 0405 E26MAY20 D30OCT20 FC-VUAIXSM1 FN-K
SYSTEM DATES - CREATED 20MAY20/1259 EXPIRES INFINITY
Unable to Display Special General Rule using Past Ticketing Date
Our past-date Direct Rule Display or Rule Display from Past-Date Fare Quote requires Ticketing Date of the original ticket. These special General Rules apply only when processing an Exchange/Reissue ticket or Refund of ticket “today”.
When using a past-date entry we are using Original Ticketing Date (in this example, 19DEC19) and the special General Rule was not in effect at that time.
At this time there is no method to add an additional date to differentiate Original Ticketing Date from Exchange/Reissue/Refund date in order to see if a General Rule is applicable. If you are unable to find the Fare Basis Code active today, we recommend you start a new Automated Exchanges or Automated Refunds transaction to check the ability to complete the transaction with reduced or waived fees/rules.
Entry:
RDDFWLAX10JULV7AKZNY1-XX«
Follow-on entry:
MD/16.
Response:
16.PENALTIES
CANCELLATIONS
TICKET IS NON-REFUNDABLE IN CASE OF CANCEL/NO-SHOW.
NOTE - TEXT BELOW NOT VALIDATED FOR AUTOPRICING.
TICKET MAY NOT BE APPLIED TOWARDS PURCHASE OF ANY
OTHER TICKET. UNUSED COUPONS HAVE NO RESIDUAL
VALUE.
CHANGES
CHANGES NOT PERMITTED.
Screen 30 Examples showing Exchange in Progress Before and After Special General Rule
Before Special General Rule:
UNABLE TO REPRICE - VOLUNTARY CHANGE RULES FAILED
After Carrier Adds Special General Rule:
WFRFTR2«
WF WFRR COMPARISON SUMMARY SCREEN 30
REISSUE PLACE DFW
EXCHANGE NEW AMT REISSUE CUR
USD USD USD
BASE 184.00 184.00 0.00
TTL TAXES 10.10 10.10 0.00
---------- ---------- ----------- -----------
TOTAL 194.10 194.10 0.00
CHANGE FEE <USD>< N/A>
OTHER FEE < >< >
TAX COMPARISON< >
------------
EXCHTKT< > TOTAL 0.00
RETAIN-R/NEXT-N< > ITIN-I/PLUS-P/TAX-T/CALC-C< > QUIT< >
LAST DATE TO PURCHASE 03JUN20 – 1346
Screen 30 Examples showing Refund in Progress Before and After Special General Rule
Before Special General Rule:
EXCHANGE NEW AMT REISSUE CUR
USD USD USD
BASE 184.00 0.00 0.00
TTL TAXES 10.10 0.00 0.00
---------- ---------- ----------- -----------
TOTAL 194.10 0.00 0.00
CHANGE FEE <USD>< >
OTHER FEE < >< >
TAX COMPARISON< >
------------
EXCHTKT< > TOTAL 0.00
RETAIN-R/NEXT-N< > ITIN-I/PLUS-P/TAX-T/CALC-C< > QUIT< >
TICKET NON REFUNDABLE – 1561
After Carrier Adds Special General Rule:
WF WFRR COMPARISON SUMMARY SCREEN 30
REISSUE PLACE DFW
EXCHANGE NEW AMT REISSUE CUR
USD USD USD
BASE 184.00 0.00 -184.00
TTL TAXES 10.10 0.00 -10.10
---------- ---------- ----------- -----------
TOTAL 194.10 0.00 -194.10
CHANGE FEE <USD>< 12.00>
OTHER FEE < >< >
TAX COMPARISON< >
------------
EXCHTKT< > TOTAL -182.10
RETAIN-R/NEXT-N< > ITIN-I/PLUS-P/TAX-T/CALC-C< > QUIT< >