Cheap United 'A' fares really 'A' fares?
Mar 27, 2015, 2:40 pm
#31
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: BOS<>NYC<>BKK
Programs: UA 4.3MM LT-GS; AA1MM; Amtrak SE; MAR LT TITAN; PC Plat; HIL DIA; HYA GLOB
Posts: 4,388
Jul 15, 2015, 5:44 pm
#32
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: SOW
Programs: UA GS 5 MM, Delta 1.6MM & Hilton Diamond, Avis Chairman, Marriott Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 768
Some UP Fares now booking into A vs P/Z
Even as GS, I don't like to play the upgrade lottery and as such often just buy the F when it is reasonable especially domestically.
I noticed today that 4 of my regular routes out of PHX, the UP fares I normally buy are now booking into A rather than P or Z, like they used to. On at least 3 of the routes I regular the price has not changed nor has the underlying booking code necessary to get the UP fare, only the fare class it books into has (A vs P/Z).
Also on at least one of the routes, certain A fares were refundable, however now when request a flexible first class ticket, it is now only pulling F, at the same price the refundable A used to be.
Assuming this is permanent, this will may buying (and SDC) UP fares much easier, conversely, I fear it will continue to decrease the number of seats available for upgrades.
I noticed today that 4 of my regular routes out of PHX, the UP fares I normally buy are now booking into A rather than P or Z, like they used to. On at least 3 of the routes I regular the price has not changed nor has the underlying booking code necessary to get the UP fare, only the fare class it books into has (A vs P/Z).
Also on at least one of the routes, certain A fares were refundable, however now when request a flexible first class ticket, it is now only pulling F, at the same price the refundable A used to be.
Assuming this is permanent, this will may buying (and SDC) UP fares much easier, conversely, I fear it will continue to decrease the number of seats available for upgrades.
Jul 15, 2015, 5:52 pm
#33
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 57,530
Jul 15, 2015, 6:32 pm
#34
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,424
UPs and UPDIs that book into A have been around for quite some time.
In fact, you can find UP/UPDI fares that book into just about every premium cabin fare class.
In fact, you can find UP/UPDI fares that book into just about every premium cabin fare class.
Jul 15, 2015, 6:57 pm
#35
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: SEA
Programs: UA SP, DL SM MM, AS 75K, SPG Platinum, Hyatt Diamond.
Posts: 2,596
Even as GS, I don't like to play the upgrade lottery and as such often just buy the F when it is reasonable especially domestically.
I noticed today that 4 of my regular routes out of PHX, the UP fares I normally buy are now booking into A rather than P or Z, like they used to. On at least 3 of the routes I regular the price has not changed nor has the underlying booking code necessary to get the UP fare, only the fare class it books into has (A vs P/Z).
Also on at least one of the routes, certain A fares were refundable, however now when request a flexible first class ticket, it is now only pulling F, at the same price the refundable A used to be.
Assuming this is permanent, this will may buying (and SDC) UP fares much easier, conversely, I fear it will continue to decrease the number of seats available for upgrades.
I noticed today that 4 of my regular routes out of PHX, the UP fares I normally buy are now booking into A rather than P or Z, like they used to. On at least 3 of the routes I regular the price has not changed nor has the underlying booking code necessary to get the UP fare, only the fare class it books into has (A vs P/Z).
Also on at least one of the routes, certain A fares were refundable, however now when request a flexible first class ticket, it is now only pulling F, at the same price the refundable A used to be.
Assuming this is permanent, this will may buying (and SDC) UP fares much easier, conversely, I fear it will continue to decrease the number of seats available for upgrades.
Jul 15, 2015, 7:02 pm
#36
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
It's smart from both a UA and a passenger perspective. Always better to sell than dole out as a freebie. At the same time, the passenger gets to make the choice of paying for certainty vs. rolling the dice.
Aug 31, 2015, 7:13 pm
#37
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: DEN
Programs: AS MVP; UA Silver; HHonors Silver; HyattGP Platinum; Hertz PC
Posts: 113
DEN-IAH in "A" on an A320 and IAH-EWR in "C" on a 764. The whole thing will be credited as "K" DEN-EWR.
City Pairs Fare Class Fare Basis Code
DEN - EWR K KAA00AZN
Again, just wish it was more transparent. I'm still happy I paid $287 for F all the way, compared to $168 in Y.
Aug 31, 2015, 7:30 pm
#38
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: ZRH/LUX/LON
Programs: BA GGL/ VS Gold. Former: UA 1K (10 years+) , EY partners Plat, SQ PPS Club, SU Gold, LH SEN/HON
Posts: 770
Do these post as A outside of Mileage Plus?
Aug 31, 2015, 8:07 pm
#39
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: BFL
Programs: UA, AA (Plt)
Posts: 99
x2
I have a really great fare, all 4 segments showing as A - currently on FareLock. I'll just slide into status this year, if I'm going to come up short I'll cancel the farelock and book something else.
I have a really great fare, all 4 segments showing as A - currently on FareLock. I'll just slide into status this year, if I'm going to come up short I'll cancel the farelock and book something else.
Aug 31, 2015, 8:29 pm
#41
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Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 14,395
If you're crediting to MP, I think it's very rare not to have an /UPDI fare post as the premium fare class with 150% PQM. I've never had any issues with that. Would be interesting what partners consider the fare class to be, but probably not a lot of domestic fliers crediting UA flights to anything else. There was discussion upthread about crediting to M&M but doesn't look like we have any data.
Aug 31, 2015, 9:47 pm
#42
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: NRT/HND, IWK, SAT, BWI, NAP, OKA, AUS, DEN, COS and PUB
Programs: UA 1K.. 1MM
Posts: 994
There's no technical guarantee, but I've purchased a fair number of these fares, and they've always credited as the premium cabin.
Aug 31, 2015, 10:04 pm
#43
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: IAH / HOU
Programs: UA GS, DL-Plat, Hilton Gold, IHG Platinum, Hyatt Somethingist, Marriott Titanium Lifetime
Posts: 2,853
If you're crediting to MP, I think it's very rare not to have an /UPDI fare post as the premium fare class with 150% PQM. I've never had any issues with that. Would be interesting what partners consider the fare class to be, but probably not a lot of domestic fliers crediting UA flights to anything else. There was discussion upthread about crediting to M&M but doesn't look like we have any data.
Aug 31, 2015, 10:40 pm
#44
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: ZRH/LUX/LON
Programs: BA GGL/ VS Gold. Former: UA 1K (10 years+) , EY partners Plat, SQ PPS Club, SU Gold, LH SEN/HON
Posts: 770