Thread: How good is ZED Light when it comes to swapping airlines?

Originally Posted by flyer146

My question is fairly obvious: if am entitled to ZL fares on a given airline, but decide to swap to another airline operating the same route as well, am I correct in assuming I will not be able to use my ZL ticket with them if the agreement with that other airline is for ZM?

Is is possible to pay up the difference at the airport, similar like you sometimes have to pay extra taxes if you route otherwise (and more expensive) than first forseen, or is it not possible to pay the fare difference between ZL and ZM at all?

Just curious to your answers/experiences! Thanks.

your assumption is correct. your zed ticket will let the agent know the zed type purchased - the agent should know what the interline agreements are between your airline and the one you are flying on. normally, the low fare will trigger deeper investigation, as all zonal tickets are the same in each category (+/- due to int'l taxes). a zone 3 ZM is obviously higher than that of a zone 3 ZL.

you can't take a ZL and expect another carrier to board you if your employing airline agreement calls for ZM...technically, it would be travel fraud and possible cause for dismassal from your airline. not worth the risk..your employee number and airline employer is listed on those zeds....

your Zed ticket is transferrable between your airline's agreement partners - however, the mileage zone has to be within the same zone or the other airline won't take your ticket (ie: if you have a zed you paid for in zone 3, you can't use it for another zone above 3 but you can go down to zone 1 or 2). There are 9 mileage zones. Each connection requires a zed ticket. As for any additional charges or differences in fares, that has to be taken care of at your respective carrier.

that's the beauty of zed's...unlike ID-type tickets which are route-specific..