I did a fare search with the Expert Flyer for a LAX-MAD flight for November of this year. I was looking for B-fares in the hopes of using UA/LH miles to upgrade at no cost on LH. Here are the resutls:

Fare Basis Airline Booking Class Trip Type Fare Cabin Effective Date Expiration Date Min / Max Stay Adv Purchase Req
BLX0RCE CO B Round-Trip 1070.00(USD) E 10/30/11 12/14/11 -- / 3M 01
BLX0RCE LH B Round-Trip 1070.00(USD) E 10/30/11 12/14/11 -- / 3M 01
BLX0RCE UA B Round-Trip 1070.00(USD) E 10/30/11 12/14/11 -- / 3M 01
BLW0RCE CO B Round-Trip 1120.00(USD) E 10/30/11 12/14/11 -- / 3M 01
BLW0RCE LH B Round-Trip 1120.00(USD) E 10/30/11 12/14/11 -- / 3M 01
BLW0RCE UA B Round-Trip 1120.00(USD) E 10/30/11 12/14/11 -- / 3M 01
B0NCE CO B Round-Trip 2620.00(USD) E -- / 12M
B0NCE LH B Round-Trip 2620.00(USD) E -- / 12M
B0NCE UA B Round-Trip 2620.00(USD) E -- / 12M
B1FFE CO B Round-Trip 3015.00(USD) E -- / 12M
B1FFE LH B Round-Trip 3015.00(USD) E -- / 12M
B1FFE UA B Round-Trip 3015.00(USD) E -- / 12M


I went on united.bomb and only the B1FFE fares are offered at about $400 more than what you see above (hidden fuel charge I assume). Are the BLX0RCE or BLW0RCE fares not available or does one have call and ask about them. I notice this fares have effective and expiration dates. Could they be promotional fares that are net yet released? Or are these fares bogus.

Thanks in advance