[Anthony Hoch]

In short, my partner purchased 2 round trip tickets with the wrong departure date but the correct return date. So in order to avoid costly changes, I purchased two additional one-way departure tickets on the correct date. In the interest to avoiding and any confusion and leaving US Airways with empty seats that might have been available to someone else, I called customer service to inform them that I would only be using the return flights on the original ticket. No change necessary, just leave as it is or give the original departure tickets to another customer possibly on stand-by.
I tried my best to make it clear that I didn’t want to change or cancel anything at all. I just let them know that I bought an extra set of tickets on the correct date (giving US Airway more money in their pockets). But I would still be using the second leg of our return trip. No changes. No cancellations. But this meant nothing. My original flight which still stood and remained paid for would be cancelled, leaving us with no way home and all the money pocketed by US Airways. So even though I purchased additional tickets already I had to pay another, additional $300 ($150 per ticket) in order to make changes which I didn’t need.
Is this a poorly design policy or a well thought-out “policy” designed to extract more cash from loyal customers. I have now spent twice the cost of the original ticket just so I wouldn’t be stranded at my destination.
If US Airway will compensate me with a refund or a flight voucher for these unnecessary, straightjacketing overcharges I will leave the matter here and be wiser and more cautious when dealing with US Airways when necessary. If no refund or compensation is forthcoming I will send a copy of this letter to the Department of Transportation, the Better Business Bureau and any blog or online service that is concerned with unfair business practices of the airlines.