Bringing this up here because I've never quite seen this before.

Looking for an itinerary to YVR, and noticed that it seems to be cheaper to book two separate OW tickets than book a round-trip. I know there was some discussion of how it was cheaper to book separate one way's when they raised the prices of multi-city circle trips with multiple destinations (i.e. ORD-PHX-SAN-ORD), and that many itineraries are the same price to book separate OW vs. a single round trip. But this is the first time I've seen it where it was actually cheaper to book two one ways instead.

This is for 2 of us, and over the last couple of days, due to fare availability changes, the amount of the difference has changed a bit. But right know, for the itinerary I'm looking at, it is $72 cheaper for the two of us. It was a little over $100 a couple of days ago. I also noticed that no matter if booked as a OW or RT, the fare codes are the same (though perhaps the fare basis' are different...didn't look that far).

I do understand the potential issues with booking separate itineraries (i.e. multiple change fees if you need to change both directions, etc.), but has anyone noticed this at all with other itineraries? Is it possible this is an error? Or is it probable that for some reason, the lowest fare available allows a OW, but somehow doesn't combine with those lowest fares on a RT? And is it now becoming a necessity that to get the best price, it may be wise to always search as a both a RT and one ways?

I also know $36 dollars/person as it is now isn't a ton of money, but given it has varied for me over the last couple of days, it could be greater.