Originally Posted by
GYEWorldTraveler
To me, I think the problem is only the ATL-PHX leg, as you can fly to PHX for reasonable prices from other places that do not include a ATL-PHX leg or SLC-PHX leg
Actually you are incorrect. ATL-PHX on Dec 31 has K and higher seats available. But when you look TPA-PHX, only M and higher are available. TPA-ATL shows U and higher available. So it is DL's married segment logic that greatly increases the fare.
Book TPA-ATL-TPA separately from ATL-PHX-ATL and the two tickets combine for a total of +-$550. In fact, a skilled traveler or travel agent could get this fare on one ticket with DL for that price (I just did it without proceeding to ticketing and I don't consider myself all that skilled).
Originally Posted by
nogophers
I'm fairly certain Delta is aware of major events throught the world and increases pricing accordingly. Supply vs. demand. They need to make a profit somehow and this is in no way price gouging.
I disagree. When the airline will sell you TPA-ATL round trip and ATL-PHX round trip for half the price of TPA-PHX on the same flight, that
is price gouging. Only fools would pay that much. And as I said above, one can circumvent the married segment garbage in this example (at least for Dec 31, the date I checked). The return a week or so later doesn't seem to be any problem at all re: availability.