Would like to buy a cheapish biz fare
May 26, 2005, 10:15 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 56
Would like to buy a cheapish biz fare
I lost UA 2P in 2003. On a recent trip, I was fortunate to get "upgraded" to the exit row on all legs of SFO-NRT-HKG-NRT-SFO. I'm a taller guy, so the narrow seat was bearable, but not comfortable... that said, I think I may have missed the personal monitor more than the seat space.
I'll be heading from SFO to HKG again in late June and was wondering what sites I should look at for lower-priced biz class fares.
Thanks
Whoops -- this should probably be under another forum topic.
I'll be heading from SFO to HKG again in late June and was wondering what sites I should look at for lower-priced biz class fares.
Thanks
Whoops -- this should probably be under another forum topic.
Last edited by marketmaker; May 26, 2005 at 10:25 pm Reason: This should probably be in another forum topic
May 27, 2005, 2:55 am
#2
Moderator, SkyTeam and Germany
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: FRA/STR/NUE
Programs: BA, LH, KL, EY, IHG, Marriott, Hyatt, Hilton, Radisson
Posts: 5,948
... and therefore I'm moving it to UA ...
Regards, ralfkrippner, community co-mod
Regards, ralfkrippner, community co-mod
May 27, 2005, 6:48 am
#3
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 321
You've missed the window on United's occasional Z fares, as I think those need to be purchased by 6 or 7 weeks in advance of travel dates.
Try www.1st-air.net. They have discounted business class fares. They don't use United, but that may not be important to you if you have no United status.
Alternatively, go to www.itasoftware.com and click on "more options" to do a search for business class fares. It's not a booking site but will tell you what's out there.
Finally, you can always use miles to upgrade (cheapest $$$ option, depending what the miles are worth to you).
Try www.1st-air.net. They have discounted business class fares. They don't use United, but that may not be important to you if you have no United status.
Alternatively, go to www.itasoftware.com and click on "more options" to do a search for business class fares. It's not a booking site but will tell you what's out there.
Finally, you can always use miles to upgrade (cheapest $$$ option, depending what the miles are worth to you).
May 27, 2005, 8:41 am
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2004
Programs: Nah.
Posts: 13,967
Depends what you mean by cheapish. A bit under $5k inc taxes is the best I can find. Using a DSFO fare. There should be some good consolidators in SFO which could get you better fares to HKG.
May 27, 2005, 9:23 am
#5
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: NYC
Posts: 9,201
SQ has good c fares from LAX to Taipei - you could buy a split ticket and save some money that way.
May 27, 2005, 10:55 am
#6
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Springfield,MO,USA
Programs: UA 1K MM, HH Diamond, Marriott Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 1,604
May 27, 2005, 5:13 pm
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 56
Thanks folks! I'm going to check out all those options.
darn, Z fares -- I'm learning something new all the time...
darn, Z fares -- I'm learning something new all the time...
May 27, 2005, 7:51 pm
#8
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 17,769
Originally Posted by marketmaker
Thanks folks! I'm going to check out all those options.
darn, Z fares -- I'm learning something new all the time...
darn, Z fares -- I'm learning something new all the time...
May 28, 2005, 5:26 pm
#9
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: EWR, PHL
Programs: UA1k 3MM, AA Plt, peasant on everybody else, elite something or other at a bunch of hotels.
Posts: 4,637
Regarding Z fares, keep in mind that they usually require a 50 day advance purchase and come with restrictions, i.e. non-refundable or hefty cancellation fee and $300 change fees. Make sure you read the fare rules if you have some uncertainty about your flight dates.
I've paid $3K for LAX-HKG for a Z fare. As as a previous poster noted, it is NOT upgradeablet to F.
I've paid $3K for LAX-HKG for a Z fare. As as a previous poster noted, it is NOT upgradeablet to F.
May 28, 2005, 8:29 pm
#10
Join Date: Aug 1999
Location: SNA, LAX
Programs: UA 1K, SPG Plat, Hertz P Circle
Posts: 1,628
I'm doing SNA-ICN on UA and ICN-TAE on KE next week. D fare issued on UA stock came to just under $3500. Actually, the fare class is "Discounted Business Class". When I asked a UA friend about that, she confirmed it is simply a D fare.