Phl -San Diego - why so expensive?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 90
Phl -San Diego - why so expensive?
I don't know if this is the right thread to post this, but not necessarily a MR, but I am looking to go to San Diego in late June early July for at least 7 nights and all the non stop from PHL are $500-$550 plus.
We have a baby so we would like a non-stop flight, I even tried southwest from BWI and its the same.
Is it always that non-stop flight are always this expensive. How can I find cheaper non stop fare to San Diego?
We have a baby so we would like a non-stop flight, I even tried southwest from BWI and its the same.
Is it always that non-stop flight are always this expensive. How can I find cheaper non stop fare to San Diego?
#2
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: New York, NY
Programs: AA ExPl, DL PM, UA Silver, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Titanium, probably some others
Posts: 4,073
Assuming that you live in Philadelphia, you're hub-captive to US, which means that you aren't going to see much in the way of competition, which means that you're not going to see many bargains. US is the only airline that flies PHL-SAN direct, and you're going at a relatively popular time to travel.
With that being said, there is some $449 availability on the SAN-PHL route. 6/23-7/1, 6/30-7/8 are both $449 per person, both on US, bookable on the US site or Kayak or wherever.
With that being said, there is some $449 availability on the SAN-PHL route. 6/23-7/1, 6/30-7/8 are both $449 per person, both on US, bookable on the US site or Kayak or wherever.
#3
Join Date: May 2006
Location: SAN
Programs: Lots of faux metal
Posts: 6,416
I don't know if this is the right thread to post this, but not necessarily a MR, but I am looking to go to San Diego in late June early July for at least 7 nights and all the non stop from PHL are $500-$550 plus.
We have a baby so we would like a non-stop flight, I even tried southwest from BWI and its the same.
Is it always that non-stop flight are always this expensive. How can I find cheaper non stop fare to San Diego?
We have a baby so we would like a non-stop flight, I even tried southwest from BWI and its the same.
Is it always that non-stop flight are always this expensive. How can I find cheaper non stop fare to San Diego?
You can't just conjure up cheap non-stop fares. The fare exists or it doesn't. If it doesn't exist then you can't find it. Most fares in the US are filed based upon the city pair not necessarily the routing. The non-stops are more popular for non-MRers and thus sell out faster leaving only more expensive fares. The exception to this is for high value routes like JFK-LAX in premium cabins, as you usually get a discount for taking lesser quality aircraft via a connection.
By the way, it isn't just PHL. I was looking at flights for SAN-ORD and they were running $550-700 in the back of the bus 1-month out.
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: ORD/MDW
Programs: BA/AA/AS/B6/WN/ UA/HH/MR and more like 'em but most felicitously & importantly MUCCI
Posts: 19,718
Connecting PHL-SAN flights via intermediate cities will be cheaper. Quick Kayak query shows RT fares as low as $419 on Spirit via ORD or LAS, $445 on UA via ORD or IAH. Those seem like really good deals for early July.
#6
Join Date: Feb 2011
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 810
I don't know if this is the right thread to post this, but not necessarily a MR, but I am looking to go to San Diego in late June early July for at least 7 nights and all the non stop from PHL are $500-$550 plus.
We have a baby so we would like a non-stop flight, I even tried southwest from BWI and its the same.
Is it always that non-stop flight are always this expensive. How can I find cheaper non stop fare to San Diego?
We have a baby so we would like a non-stop flight, I even tried southwest from BWI and its the same.
Is it always that non-stop flight are always this expensive. How can I find cheaper non stop fare to San Diego?
#7
Used to be 'Travelergcp'
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: New Orleans
Programs: AA Plat, Marriott Gold, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 2,826
The problem is everyone is trained to think the lowest sale fare they've ever seen on a city pair is somehow indicative of the normal price.
OP, can you use miles for that flight? At the 25k level you'd be getting 2 cents per mile, which is fairly reasonable.
OP, can you use miles for that flight? At the 25k level you'd be getting 2 cents per mile, which is fairly reasonable.
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: ORD/MDW
Programs: BA/AA/AS/B6/WN/ UA/HH/MR and more like 'em but most felicitously & importantly MUCCI
Posts: 19,718
My father-in-law used to grumble, years ago, that TPA-SEA for +/- $300 was "highway robbery." He did not believe me when I told him his ticket barely paid for his share of the jet fuel, and was heavily subsidized by $1,000+ fares paid by business flyers like me.
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: n.y.c.
Posts: 13,988
It's these same people who lament the fact that they can't find a transcon for $150 the way they did in the 70s. (That's about $660 in today's dollars.)
#10
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Kawaihae, Hawaii
Programs: Alaska Airlines
Posts: 16
If it makes you feel better I live in Kawaihae, Hawaii and I'm trying to find a cheap flight to visit my family in Philadelphia this summer. I'm kicking myself for missing that SAN-PHL fare. I can get a KOA-SAN ticket for around $450 r/t on a good day.
Have you thought of checking out of the BWI or the DC area airports? And isn't Frontier running out of Wilmington, DE?
Have you thought of checking out of the BWI or the DC area airports? And isn't Frontier running out of Wilmington, DE?
#13
Used to be 'Scooter'
Join Date: Mar 1999
Location: SAN
Programs: Free Agent
Posts: 398
#14
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 90
Yeah, I saw some of the dates with the $449 fares as well, but those dates won't work for us.
I also wanted to know that since we are traveling with a baby, I am thinking of buying a seat instead of having the baby as a lap child, since its a long flight and it will be more comfortable for all of us if we do have a seat for the baby.
So I would need to take a car seat correct? would it need the base as well, and is it the same way that you put the car in in car that you will attach it in the airplane seat?
Do all car seats fit the seats?
I also wanted to know that since we are traveling with a baby, I am thinking of buying a seat instead of having the baby as a lap child, since its a long flight and it will be more comfortable for all of us if we do have a seat for the baby.
So I would need to take a car seat correct? would it need the base as well, and is it the same way that you put the car in in car that you will attach it in the airplane seat?
Do all car seats fit the seats?
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: ORD/MDW
Programs: BA/AA/AS/B6/WN/ UA/HH/MR and more like 'em but most felicitously & importantly MUCCI
Posts: 19,718
http://www.jetwithkids.com/wp-conten...-label-300.jpg
Here is the FAA rundown on flying safety with kids:
http://www.faa.gov/passengers/fly_children/