This is one place where I tend to agree with the airlines. You raise a good point, Jim. Why should a customer have to pay $150 for an error. The issue is, at least from the airline perspective, there is no way to differentiate between an error/mistake and some 'change of plans'.
As far as the error is concerned, most airlines give you the option of making any changes (without a change fee, just the fare difference) or even refund the money in 24 hours of booking.
Now, if the change fee is taken out, customers can just book a ticket at any time and when they have change of plans, they will just pay the fare difference. There is no penalty to the customer but the airline now has an open seat that it needs to sell (one that it had assumed sold).
Judge - you seem to have jumped the gun. Jim's point was exactly the opposite of what you said. see below
Quote - The fee is exploitative for all customers. A simple keystroke error can cost a customer thousands of dollars and this is unfair and should be regulated away. Whether the person making the error is a hero or not, it is WRONG to exploit customer errors in this way. - End Quote
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