I run into this problem all the time flying BDL-IAD. COdbaUA considers IAD to be a monopoly airport with no competition, hence the higher fares. Most people flying to IAD are connecting and UA will charge whatever the traffic will bear. DCA and IAD are two different airports and don't compare equally. It gets even worse when you are flying BDL-IAD and turning around in less than 3 days. The fare is over $1000. On those occasions I fly into DCA for around $200 round trip. UA knows the United Technology people flying into IAD for meetings will pay that much but I won't. Not sure what I will do when US leaves *alliance