Originally Posted by
ualvet
I've seen really cheap H-up fares that seem to require H availability (and maybe something like PN, too?), but book directly into A.
These fares do book directly into A. They do not require H availability. The fare basis code begins with the letter "H" (such as HUAUPN) but there is no requirement that a fare basis code start with the letter of the fare class it books into.
They seem wrong on two counts:
1) They can be cheaper than M fares, so feel like yet another way to undercut 1K benefits.
It doesn't have anything to do with 1K benefits. The cheapest H-UP fares are non-refundable and often have advance purchase requirements. M fares may or may not have restrictions. They're being sold to different markets. And on many routes there are no restricted H-UP (A) fares, only unrestricted ones which are usually a little more expensive than B. It's probably safe to take the foil hat off now.
2) The receipt shows that a First Class ticket was purchased, so they don't work to defraud your corporate travel department as the Y/B/M "instant upgrades" are designed to do.
Actually, some of them seem to be filed as "Economy" fares, and there's a good chance the corporate travel agency system will still pick them up as Economy (based on the first letter of the fare basis code). Probably depends on the agent.