Originally Posted by
jsloan
Looks like the B fare is unexpectedly inexpensive on SFO-SYD, probably because they're selling it as an Economy Plus fare.
I see $2200 RT for a B fare and $1400 RT for an L fare on the same dates -- but it's a differential B fare, meaning it could be different on different dates. If they're going to buy a paid upgrade just before travel, there's no need to pay for the B fare -- buy the L fare and do that. If they're going to waitlist using miles, it's a bit of a tough one: if it clears and they're seeing prices in this range, the B fare will have been cheaper; if not, the L fare would have been cheaper because the copay would be refunded.
Thanks for the advice. The OW B fare is $1100 and the L fare w/miles is $871+600+30K miles as you summarized. I wish that I had enough PP for them also. Since the flight is mid-week, the thinking is that there will be a number of unsold J fares, opening up award space. For paying up at the last minute, does this route normally offer sub $1,000 business options?