So, something I haven't seen before and hoping someone might be able to explain. Looking to go SFO - SW Ohio in spring. Preferably in/out of CVG, but I'm ok with some of the surrounding airports as well. This is a Thurs-Sun trip.

Looking it up, fares returning from CVG are pretty high, but the non-stop return out of CMH works well. We could do the R/T, but the inbound into CMH is a little later than I'd prefer, so ideally would connect, leaving SFO early and going via DEN/ORD, would get into CVG in the early - mid afternoon. Here's the interesting thing though. SFO-CMH roundtrip is actually more than SFO-CVG/CMH-SFO. On top of that, can't figure out why.

For SFO-CVG/CMH-SFO, fare basis is SAA2AKEN outbound, TFA4ODER return. For the all CMH itin, outbound fare basis is LFA4ADDN outbound, TFA4ODDN on the return. Kicking my self for not booking last night, when the fares were about $25 less per person on either, as the CMH-SFO was booking into L. Maybe I'll wait until next week. But the real question is, how is a roundtrip with an L and T fare basis more expensive than a roundtrip on an S and T fare. I realize CMH and CVG are different markets, but as someone who lived in S. Ohio for years, I know that CMH is typically cheaper than CVG to fly into/out of. But really confused about how the higher fare class into CVG is cheaper than the lower fare class into CMH. Is it just a 'non-stop' penalty. Or something else going on here.

My other option is to do the whole thing into IND, which is cheaper than either, but a PITA as convenience of those flights, with a redeye east and early morning west, is just not good for us.