ual.com Not Returning Economy Fares When Y Bucket Shows Availability?
Mar 20, 2015, 2:40 pm
#1
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ual.com Not Returning Economy Fares When Y Bucket Shows Availability?
Trying to buy an economy seat from PHL-IAH on evening of April 22, but United is selling A even though I'm seeing Y4, B4, and M4. Should I just wait it out until they open up?
Last edited by FlyinHawaiian; Mar 20, 2015 at 7:10 pm Reason: vague thread title
Mar 20, 2015, 2:48 pm
#2
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(I assume that you're looking at UA 1574)
Mar 20, 2015, 2:55 pm
#3
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OP might be constrained by corporate travel policy that requires Y travel booking regardless of prices (bone-headed, I know)
Mar 20, 2015, 2:57 pm
#4
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Yep - as was just said above, you'll have to specify an Economy fare class if you have to purchase an economy fare (like many companies require). If you don't have to take the Economy seat and have to be on this flight, just take the A fare. Doubtful Econ is going to get much cheaper between now and Sunday.
Mar 20, 2015, 3:33 pm
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Yep - as was just said above, you'll have to specify an Economy fare class if you have to purchase an economy fare (like many companies require). If you don't have to take the Economy seat and have to be on this flight, just take the A fare. Doubtful Econ is going to get much cheaper between now and Sunday.
Mar 20, 2015, 3:51 pm
#6
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Thanks I thought of searching by class also. So what should I do, hope Y or B or M drop by $200 to match American, or just book a return via Chicago? I have no interest in flying American/USAir.
Round trip 4/20 -4/22 price is $1049 on American so that's my ceiling
I'm flying April 22 not March 22
Round trip 4/20 -4/22 price is $1049 on American so that's my ceiling
Yep - as was just said above, you'll have to specify an Economy fare class if you have to purchase an economy fare (like many companies require). If you don't have to take the Economy seat and have to be on this flight, just take the A fare. Doubtful Econ is going to get much cheaper between now and Sunday.
Last edited by FlyinHawaiian; Mar 20, 2015 at 7:05 pm Reason: merge
Mar 20, 2015, 4:26 pm
#7
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Of course if it were REALLY me I'd probably book the FC return and eat the $210 (3.5-hour flight with dinner and DirecTV). YMMV.
Mar 20, 2015, 4:32 pm
#8
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I guess I'd go ahead and book the return via ORD, but the late afternoon flight is S1 so strike quickly or that fare will go up. If the nonstop is down to Y4 a month out I don't think any of the lower-fare buckets will open up; more likely the flight will sell out.
Of course if it were REALLY me I'd probably book the FC return and eat the $210 (3.5-hour flight with dinner and DirecTV). YMMV.
Of course if it were REALLY me I'd probably book the FC return and eat the $210 (3.5-hour flight with dinner and DirecTV). YMMV.
Mar 20, 2015, 5:17 pm
#9
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If done within 24 hours of ticketing, I've never had them charge a fee, just the fare difference.
My company fully allows this since the company paid portion is in Y.
Mar 20, 2015, 5:51 pm
#10
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Obviously get buy-in with the person approving your expenses so that you can cancel within the 24-hour window (if necessary). Then, you'll know how to handle this situation going forward.
You can also purchase the Y fare for back-up. It will (most likely) be fully-refundable and get upgraded anyway.
Mar 20, 2015, 6:09 pm
#11
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Dunno about your company policy, but one option is to book in Economy which satisfies company policy and then call to pay the fare difference yourself.
If done within 24 hours of ticketing, I've never had them charge a fee, just the fare difference.
My company fully allows this since the company paid portion is in Y.
If done within 24 hours of ticketing, I've never had them charge a fee, just the fare difference.
My company fully allows this since the company paid portion is in Y.
Mar 20, 2015, 6:58 pm
#12
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Dunno about your company policy, but one option is to book in Economy which satisfies company policy and then call to pay the fare difference yourself.
If done within 24 hours of ticketing, I've never had them charge a fee, just the fare difference.
My company fully allows this since the company paid portion is in Y.
If done within 24 hours of ticketing, I've never had them charge a fee, just the fare difference.
My company fully allows this since the company paid portion is in Y.
Mar 20, 2015, 7:17 pm
#13
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The only way I would be able to book economy would be to book the ORD ticket which is $400 less, and then I would have to make up the difference. Do you mean that I should book the economy fare for a different time that day and then have it changed to F and pay the $210 difference assuming no change fee?
Since the lower fare is on American, you can buy the Economy fare and try upgrading with them to First (if available and you're interested) but since First Class is less expensive than Economy on United, there is no upfaring that needs to be done in that case.
Mar 20, 2015, 9:20 pm
#14
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You were given advice that doesn't apply in your situation. Purchasing Economy (assuming lower price) and then calling within 24 hours to pay the difference to First will work if there is difference in price (not in your case) and same carrier (also, not the case).
Since the lower fare is on American, you can buy the Economy fare and try upgrading with them to First (if available and you're interested) but since First Class is less expensive than Economy on United, there is no upfaring that needs to be done in that case.
Since the lower fare is on American, you can buy the Economy fare and try upgrading with them to First (if available and you're interested) but since First Class is less expensive than Economy on United, there is no upfaring that needs to be done in that case.
Mar 20, 2015, 9:28 pm
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