Expert: Roberto Gomes - 9/7/2008

Question
QUESTION: In April 07 I flew to Australia with a paper ticket with Malaysian airlines it was changeable for one year,date of issue was 11th Apr 07 but when I tried to change to return dates,a travel agent refused to except it as '22nd Apr' was printed in the 'not valid after' box,the small print on the back of the ticket said valid for one year from issue date or another date if printed.Should the new date have had the  year (08)printed in the 'not valid after' date as it was diffrent from the date of issue?

ANSWER: Dear Gabriel,

If the fare that you purchased was valid for one year (normally a full no-restricted fare) the second leg (or the return) must be valid from one year from the date of purchase.

You'll need to investigate the fare rules (normally printed as an "Y" if a non-restricted full economic fare in the fare basis box)of the fare indicated in your ticket.

Best Regards,
R. Gomes



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: yes the ticket was valid for 1 year,this was my problem,the ticket was issused on 11 th of Apr.07,but the not valid before box was empty and 22nd Apr was printed in the not valid after box,this was confuseing for the travel agent I tried to change my return flight with.She thought this date was a mistake or it should have had the YEAR DATE with the 22nd Apr?What is the regulation in a date that is over one year from date of issue and purchase? should it have DDMM only as it was?  or should the YY been included?

Answer
Dear Gabriel,

Sorry for the wrong information sent to you before, since I was confusing the concepts.

The dates shown on the "not valid before" and "not valid after" boxes were referred to the dates chosen by you when you made your reservations.

To change the reservation dates, you'll need to respect such dates shown on such boxes. In your case the change should be occurred before April 22.

Again, my apologies for the confusion.

Best Regards,
R.Gomes