Trying to change a flight

Unfortunately, that is their rule since you probably booked a non-refund, no change budget ticket. If you don't take the first leg of a ticket, the whole ticket is canceled. There is no recourse. You need to pay the charge fee otherwise you are really screwed. It is not fair but you can beg for mercy. Once -- it worked for us. If you cannot travel a day later, you may have paid for an expensive lesson. Are you booking directly with Air France or through a code share? When did you book the ticket?

Yes severe repercussions if you do not show up for the first leg. Air France will cancel the 2nd leg.
Unfortunately since most airlines give you 24 hours after you booked to cancel or make changes there is nothing you can do but pay the change fee. And this is probably in the fine print of the fare rules.

Adapting to the new date is of course the easy way out.

You could try repeatedly calling (aka HUCA, or "hang up call again") and pleading with different people for a reduced or waived fee. You could try the mix up about being confused by calendars on the website starting weeks on Monday not Sunday.

A long shot is to hope there are significant changes to the itinerary that allow a refund: nonstop to direct, direct to connecting, more than 2 hour departure/arrival time change, things like that.

So that we are not just shooting in the dark - how about a little more explanation. How difficult is to change your travel date? Is it a domestic or international flight? How did you book it - direct or agency? A broader explanation might trigger some additional thoughts. We got lucky once when we booked a 12.15 AM flight thinking it was 12.15PM. It was dirty cheap - that should have been the tip off but finally got it changed to 12.15PM and didn't have pay the difference in fare.

You could also face a change in fare even through it is only one day.

Thanks everyone. I booked directly with Air France online, just didn't factor in the Day+1 arrival time. I will try the UK number, the numbers in the States said they didn't directly work for Air France. They answered the phone as Delta/KLM/Air France / etc...., thanks so much for letting me know they would cancel both legs!!

@dianarfb, that's an easy mistake to make (I know I have booked hotels for the date of my flight when I would still be on the plane ...)

I had a flight change question for Air France (they cancelled and rebooked at an inconvenient time) and used their Facebook messaging option, which worked well.

You can cancel your entire flight if the request is made within 24 hours of your initial booking (as long as your flight is scheduled for more than 7 days from the date of booking). Per the Air France website, this is what you're supposed to do (copied from their website). Though if it were me, I would also call their reservations line.

SPECIAL CASE: TICKET REFUND WITHIN 24 HOURS OF PURCHASE
You can request your refund within 24 hours of purchase by writing to the following email address: [email protected] Include the following important information:
Subject: Customer First Program Name
Flight and Date
Reservation Number

Note that, as far as I know, this policy is true for every airline (except those that other policies that have the same effect, such as allowing you to "reserve" a flight, for free, for a certain amount of time before you have to pay)

Sorry, should have pointed out. Cancel your entire booking, then rebook with the correct dates. You won't pay any change fee, as you original booking won't exist. Though of course, if the different dates have a different fare, you'll pay those rates, which could be higher (or lower).

I am guessing from the tone of his posting, that she is pass the 24 hour window because of the reference to the $600 change fee. It is tough one. Dianarfb, is it completely out of the question to arrive a day later than anticipated?

Travel writer Chris Elliott has a website that has links and suggestions to deal with travel problems. Here's a link to his Air France page. Maybe it will help. Bon chance!

Delta/KLM/Air France IS AirFrance. That IS the correct number. They use the same call centers. No need to call England.

Thank you for the information, everyone. I did contact Air France via Facebook Messenger, and they were unable to waive the fee, but they were very nice overall. I am going to try the email provided by the forum mentioned by one of you. We are still working on adjusting our schedule, it would just mean a shorter stay in Paris before we continue on our trip. Again, you have all been so helpful!! All the Best, Diana

...they were unable to waive the fee....

Being a stickler for accuracy --- they were unwilling to waive the fee. It is corporate policy not a rule of law or commercial code. I think the cost of dropping in day in Paris is less than the change fee. Good luck.

Why don't you just stay in France for one more day. Would be cheaper than changing tickets.

If you were going to miss an expensive cruise or tour by arriving T+1 rather than T, then paying fees to change the flight might have been worth it - sounds like Diana has picked the reasonable choice of staying one day less in Paris. Sadly, lesson learned!

But do watch for time or schedule changes that make you eligible for free changes, even to another day (I just today got a refund of non-refundable United tickets since they changed me from nonstop to connecting, and would have changed days for free but I wanted nonstop on that day).