US Airways Dividend Miles (Pre-FlightFund Merger) - Strange codeshare pricing US/UA

At some upcoming trips to MHT, I've been comparing UA and US.

The cheapest tickets on US.com (or via Orbitz) are usually 50 if not 100% UA metal. The cheapest tickets on UA.com (or via Orbitz) are about 50% US metal (almost all via PHL).

This wouldn't be a big deal other than the desire to get a US flight number on US metal in order to get the upgrade. However, if I want to get that, it costs me significantly more! At the very least it isn't much of an incentive for me, a US GP based in SFO, to fly US. For the chance of an upgrade, and paying more than UA, I'd probably just take UA and enjoy E+. It's better than paying more for an inferrior coach product. Sad.

Does this a one-off pricing issue due to limited availability into MHT or does this signal something larger about yield management or perhaps customer buying patterns?

At some upcoming trips to MHT, I've been comparing UA and US.

The cheapest tickets on US.com (or via Orbitz) are usually 50 if not 100% UA metal. The cheapest tickets on UA.com (or via Orbitz) are about 50% US metal (almost all via PHL).

This wouldn't be a big deal other than the desire to get a US flight number on US metal in order to get the upgrade. However, if I want to get that, it costs me significantly more! At the very least it isn't much of an incentive for me, a US GP based in SFO, to fly US. For the chance of an upgrade, and paying more than UA, I'd probably just take UA and enjoy E+. It's better than paying more for an inferrior coach product. Sad.

Does this a one-off pricing issue due to limited availability into MHT or does this signal something larger about yield management or perhaps customer buying patterns?

Back in June I was pricing trips MHT-IND and back for my brother in September and US tickets on US metal were by far the cheapest. UA was way more, regardless of whose metal the ticket was on. After I bought the ticket, some fares went down (but not for the flights we chose, which went from $186 to $259......we probably got the last seat in a cheap bucket). To this day US is still offering roundtrips for that itinerary and dates that are significantly cheaper than UA, even where both airlines offer routes on each other's metal. The cheapest US tickets are 100% US metal in this case.

So it seems to depend on the specific destinations....the ticket for my brother even included a one-stop with no change of plane on the trip out. Despite it being a stop at PHL, it's worth it to not have to worry about missing a connection. The return is through PIT. I wish there were more connecting options through PIT; it's really on par with CLT as far as ease of connections and service, whereas PHL makes me cringe.

Maybe the cheap buckets are already sold out on the US metal flights you're dealing with? Or maybe it's a Blo-Fare type thing. Who knows......

Just bought a one-way RDU-PWM via LGA. All US metal. Price on US website was $241. Couldn't book it on united.com but calling them got it with UA flight numbers at $137.

Weird.

Just bought a one-way RDU-PWM via LGA. All US metal. Price on US website was $241. Couldn't book it on united.com but calling them got it with UA flight numbers at $137.

Weird.

So if you send that to US, you'll get the money back plus $50, right? http://www.usairways.com/save/lowestpriceguarantee.htm

David

So if you send that to US, you'll get the money back plus $50, right? http://www.usairways.com/save/lowestpriceguarantee.htm

David

The low price guarantee does not apply to code shares:


Guarantee applies only on itineraries wholly operated and/or marketed by US Airways, US Airways Express or US Airways Shuttle. Flights operated or marketed by our codeshare partners (e.g. United Airlines, Lufthansa, Spanair, etc.) or other carriers do not qualify.

For the chance of an upgrade, and paying more than UA, I'd probably just take UA and enjoy E+. It's better than paying more for an inferrior coach product. Sad.



Been there. Done that. (3 weeks ago.) Saved myself $100, got to relax at the UA RCC after check-in, and got an op-upgrade on my LAX-ORD leg, to boot!

The low price guarantee does not apply to code shares:

Bah humbug.