Just booked SAN/PIT/SAN for $191 including all taxes. I leave and return on 20 Aug, and was able to book into first on both flights. In fact, the cabin was only half full outgoing and I took the second first class seat on the return.
Another quick and cheap mileage run (double status miles using USAirways Visa!!)
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"A Mile here is an Upgrade there!"
CPRich
Aug 14, 03, 1:45 am
I just booked a series of tickets in early September - LAX-PIT-LAX over a weekend - $181.50 RT.
Edit - I've got to learn to either type better or proofread...
[This message has been edited by CPRich (edited 08-14-2003).]
hscottm
Aug 14, 03, 1:16 pm
JAX
I am confused by you saying the cheap flights are 'back'. Did you find a BN7 or YN7 fare?
As far as I have seen, the cheap PIT-west coast flights never left! However the instantly upgradeable (without miles) B and Y flights are at least $800. I can see lots of L, V cheap fares still but none can be instantly upgraded without using miles..
hscottm
Aug 14, 03, 1:23 pm
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by hscottm:
JAX
I am confused by you saying the cheap flights are 'back'. Did you find a BN7 or YN7 fare?
As far as I have seen, the cheap PIT-west coast flights never left! However the instantly upgradeable (without miles) B and Y flights that used to be $250 are now at least $800. I can see lots of L, V cheap fares still but none can be instantly upgraded without using miles..</font>
JAX Flier
Aug 14, 03, 1:33 pm
The fares are not the instantly upgradeable fares (BN7, YN7), but can be booked for a flight TODAY, if seats are available (which is almost the same as instant upgrade if worked right). The reason I state they are back, is that now there is actually availability for almost any date in the next couple months. Last time the fares were listed, the earliest available dates were months out, however, now there seems to be a lot of inventory.
I was able to book any day within the next week, so I picked Wednesday, for a same day return, and was able to book in First instantly. If you have gold or silver status, you can book within your window and probably find seats available, based on the seat charts I saw!
Is this clear as mud now!!??
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"A Mile here is an Upgrade there!"
CPRich
Aug 14, 03, 1:35 pm
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by hscottm:
I am confused by you saying the cheap flights are 'back'. </font>
My last 4 LAX-PIT tix have been 351, 381, 346, and 401. Perhaps it's "availability is back" or whatever, but going from those fares to $182 on the same flight/date pairs is "cheap flights are back" to me.
The B/Y instant upgrades were a glitch - someone wasn't thinking of upgrade rules when creating new fare codes. I don't foresee those again.
pitflyer
Aug 14, 03, 2:49 pm
These fares have been around for several days (and matched by the other airlines). I used an AA cheap fare to LAS (PIT-LAS $158 R/T, not including taxes, $180 with) as a mileage run. Similar fares to all the major West Coast cities, probably due to America West.
hscottm
Aug 14, 03, 3:06 pm
Rich- fair that cheap(er) flights are back. I was just confused above when what he really meant was 'last minute flights' but of course those have been available for months.
There must be almost nobody on current PIT-West Coast flights who has paid more than $350, these have been around so long.
One note of caution - some of the cheapo flights in the system are not upgradeable (by rule). Example: L-class. Be careful!
CPRich
Aug 14, 03, 5:15 pm
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by hscottm:
One note of caution - some of the cheapo flights in the system are not upgradeable (by rule). Example: L-class. Be careful!</font>
Can you explain that?
http://www.usairways.com/dividendmiles/programinfo/eupgrades.htm shows the upgrade rules, and L is grouped in with M,H,K,Q,V - i.e. discount fares, in the 1/3/7 day window. Only Y and B are upgradeable anythime in advance.
Are you saying that some of these L fare tickets have specific conditions that override the general rules for upgrading L fare codes?
Looking back at my fares over the last few months, I have a mix of Q, V, and L's and have never had a problem upgrading.
NeoOfTheCRS
Aug 14, 03, 10:06 pm
Are you sure you are not thinking of UA? I have had no problem upgrading L fares
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by hscottm:
Rich- fair that cheap(er) flights are back. I was just confused above when what he really meant was 'last minute flights' but of course those have been available for months.
There must be almost nobody on current PIT-West Coast flights who has paid more than $350, these have been around so long.
One note of caution - some of the cheapo flights in the system are not upgradeable (by rule). Example: L-class. Be careful!</font>
hscottm
Aug 16, 03, 3:03 pm
Odd - I have been told on phone and in person that L wasnt upgradeable domestically. (edited: I think confusion is because L a no-go for Europe upgrades).
*Thanks* for pointing that out. I know I have looked online before, but since L is listed with HK etc and not in 'price order' after V, I must have missed it. Its never burned me on upgrade because I fell for it and paid $40 more for V.
One separate note - L/V not eligible for the buy 3, get one free promos.
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[This message has been edited by hscottm (edited 08-16-2003).]
CPRich
Aug 16, 03, 4:39 pm
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by hscottm:
*Thanks* for pointing that out. I know I have looked online before, but since L is listed with HK etc and not in 'price order' after V, I must have missed it</font>
Not to beat a dead horse, but... Fare classes are listed M, H, K, Q, V, L, which I think are in price order.
iirc, last year's trans-atlantics just said not valid on V fares - I talked to an international supervisor who said he had approved several ultra-cheap L fare upgrades using certs because of the language. Apparently L had not been used in Int'l before but they stated issuing some last year.
They have learned to spell out the eligible classes now, not the ineligible ones.
I also went and looked at the 3/1 free offer - V/L are not eligible, but they list a U class right between B and M. Anyone know what this is. From the ordering, I'm guessing it's a discounted non-restricted or a high-price restricted. but by their rules, it is not upgradeable at all.
I think they are confusing themselves, let alone us.
EDIT- Never mind, found the answer. U = Shuttle which, until they add F, has nowhere to upgrade to. Guess it's just me that's confused.
[This message has been edited by CPRich (edited 08-16-2003).]