Live data from Hacker News

Hacking Airline Lounges for Free Meals

schneier.com

1–10 of 119 posts

Re: Hacking Airline Lounges for Free Meals

#2
I work in a pretty big GDS/IT company and that wouldn't happen in our systems. Virtually no airline asks for such a retarded business rule, flexible classes allow generally 1 to 5 changes in departure date/time(no questions asked), after that it requires manual intervention on a case by case basis.

Re: Hacking Airline Lounges for Free Meals

#3

I work in a pretty big GDS/IT company and that wouldn't happen in our systems. Virtually no airline asks for such a retarded business rule, flexible classes allow generally 1 to 5 changes in departure date/time(no questions asked), after that it requires manual intervention on a case by case basis.

In that system, could you not buy a ticket, do 5 changes, then cancel the ticket and rebuy, repeat?

Re: Hacking Airline Lounges for Free Meals

#4
post #3

I work in a pretty big GDS/IT company and that wouldn't happen in our systems. Virtually no airline asks for such a retarded business rule, flexible classes allow generally 1 to 5 changes in departure date/time(no questions asked), after that it requires manual intervention on a case by case basis.

In that system, could you not buy a ticket, do 5 changes, then cancel the ticket and rebuy, repeat?

It would be a lot harder to make back the cost of the ticket though.

Re: Hacking Airline Lounges for Free Meals

#6
post #4
post #3

Earlier quoted context omitted.

In that system, could you not buy a ticket, do 5 changes, then cancel the ticket and rebuy, repeat?

It would be a lot harder to make back the cost of the ticket though.

Since the ticket would be fully refundable, it would just increase the time and hassle involved, not the monetary outlay.

Re: Hacking Airline Lounges for Free Meals

#7
post #3

I work in a pretty big GDS/IT company and that wouldn't happen in our systems. Virtually no airline asks for such a retarded business rule, flexible classes allow generally 1 to 5 changes in departure date/time(no questions asked), after that it requires manual intervention on a case by case basis.

In that system, could you not buy a ticket, do 5 changes, then cancel the ticket and rebuy, repeat?

Technically, if it's already ticketed it's a refund, not a cancel (at GDS level at least), but airlines use both the same at marketing level.

You can try that but full refunds are unusual, normally there's a penalty fee. More than for preventing ripping off lounges, it's to prevent third parties from playing tricks on the seats' availability. Maybe it still pays off, have a look!

Re: Hacking Airline Lounges for Free Meals

#8
post #3

Earlier quoted context omitted.

In that system, could you not buy a ticket, do 5 changes, then cancel the ticket and rebuy, repeat?

Technically, if it's already ticketed it's a refund, not a cancel (at GDS level at least), but airlines use both the same at marketing level. You can try that but full refunds are unusual, normally there's a penalty fee. More than for preventing ripping off lounges, it's to prevent third parties from playing tricks on the seats' availability. Maybe it still pays off, have a look!

> full refunds are unusual, normally there's a penalty fee.

At least on United (not too familiar with other airlines' policies), full-fare tickets (Y, J, F) are refundable without a fee. If it was paid on a credit card, they'll typically just reverse the charge.

Re: Hacking Airline Lounges for Free Meals

#10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Technically, if it's already ticketed it's a refund, not a cancel (at GDS level at least), but airlines use both the same at marketing level. You can try that but full refunds are unusual, normally there's a penalty fee. More than for preventing ripping off lounges, it's to prevent third parties from playing tricks on the seats' availability. Maybe it still pays off, have a look!

> full refunds are unusual, normally there's a penalty fee. At least on United (not too familiar with other airlines' policies), full-fare tickets (Y, J, F) are refundable without a fee. If it was paid on a credit card, they'll typically just reverse the charge.

Probably refundable within 24/48h of the purchase. Many companies do that. Normal penalties apply from then on. So unless you buy your ticket in the last moment, no, it wouldn't work.
Post reply on HN