UA - S class - SFO-FRA USD549 A/I non-stop

[SFflyer123]

This is very sweet: January-Feb, non-stop SFO-FRA for only $549. Incredible. 5699 miles each way!

Total price: USD 549.18 Price breakdown
Fare rules
Thu, Jan 22, 2009 - San Francisco, CA (SFO) to Frankfurt, Germany (FRA)
United 0900
Depart: SFO 1:48 PM
Arrive: FRA 9:45 AM
Arrives next day
Jan 23 Non-stop
10h 57m
Boeing 747-400
5,698 miles traveled Fare basis code:
SLXAXZ59
Booking class: S
Economy
5,699 Award miles

Lunch, Breakfast Seats:N/A
Select seats

Flight details
--% On-time
5698 miles traveled
[Lunch, Breakfast]
Economy
5699 Award miles
Availability
Thu, Jan 29, 2009 - Frankfurt, Germany (FRA) to San Francisco, CA (SFO)
United 0901
Depart: FRA 2:00 PM
Arrive: SFO 4:24 PM Non-stop
11h 24m
Boeing 747-400
5,698 miles traveled Fare basis code:
SLXAXZ59
Booking class: S
Economy
5,699 Award miles

Lunch, Snack

[number5858]

There are two problems though:

Boeing 747-400
Booking class: S

My prediction: pain

[work2fly]

Insert a stop at IAD each way, and you'll bring the cpm down to about 2.1 cents.

The IAD connections may also enable you to avoid the 747s in Y.

[worldexpress]

another problem... if 6 or 7 day min?

[whakojacko]

Unless im missing something, is this really that good? Thats like 4.8cpm, and you have a weeklong stay.

even with a free iad stop each way (does it let you? I havent tried) thats 2.1cprdm, still a pretty poor 4.2cpeqm

[reddirt14]

I could actually use that flight for personal business (i.e. I'm paying for it). Is there any tricks to booking? Think it works out of ORD?

[Palal]

IMO too expensive for $549. If it was like it was back in 2008, we'd be talking business.

[atcanobbio]

I hope this deal was for march and later. Plus, I hope there is a similar deal as last year again!

for 30 bucks more you can fly from LAX

[SFflyer123]

The key is that this is a non-stop flight. So many of these MR's are painful, multi-stops. I don't like those because you waste so muh time in the airports. For me, non-stops are the way to go, even if they are slightly more expensive/mile because you save all that time from languishing in the airports.

[johnnybgood3]

Also available on US for $515 ai (but doesn't show up on ITA) for 13,385 eqm at 3.8cpm in case anyone is somehow interested....

[sbm12]

Originally Posted by whakojacko

Unless im missing something, is this really that good? Thats like 4.8cpm, and you have a weeklong stay.

even with a free iad stop each way (does it let you? I havent tried) thats 2.1cprdm, still a pretty poor 4.2cpeqm

You're not missing anything. The fare is pretty high to consider for a run at 4.2-4.8cpeqm. The week-long issue is the last nail in the coffin on this one, IMO.

I understand the desire in some cases for non-stops to ease the pain of the trip, but not enough to justify paying this much for a run, especially not this early in the year.

[work2fly]

Originally Posted by sbm12

The week-long issue is the last nail in the coffin on this one, IMO.

Correction: There is no min stay with this fare - only a requirement that your return begins on the sunday after your departure (meaning you could do a sat/sun run with no need for a hotel)

[PDXPremier]

Originally Posted by SFflyer123

The key is that this is a non-stop flight. So many of these MR's are painful, multi-stops. I don't like those because you waste so muh time in the airports. For me, non-stops are the way to go, even if they are slightly more expensive/mile because you save all that time from languishing in the airports.

To each his/her own, but I actually prefer more stops...gives me a chance to stretch my legs, walk around, search for a Starbucks (unless I'm at SFO ), etc....and if you qualify on segments, it's even better...plus, with every new flight segment, you have the chance to not only accomplish your goal of gaining more miles, you may have a chance at getting bumped and getting even more out of the deal...

[Planereality]

Originally Posted by reddirt14

I could actually use that flight for personal business (i.e. I'm paying for it). Is there any tricks to booking? Think it works out of ORD?

ORD-FRA
I found $556 on AA; sames dates; cheaper if you are willing to make a stop
$576 on UA (non-stop)

[sbm12]

Originally Posted by work2fly

Correction: There is no min stay with this fare - only a requirement that your return begins on the sunday after your departure (meaning you could do a sat/sun run with no need for a hotel)

Thanks for clarifying. I misinterpreted what I read up-thread.