Help with complex route
Sep 25, 2009 | 9:03 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 3,760
Help with complex route
I need to fly DUB-SFO return in the next month. The fares for this route seem to be about $900-1,200 on AC as well as other airlines. I expect AC to involve a connection at LHR and YYZ or other Canadian city.
As long as I'm stopping at a Canadian city I want to work in a stopover in Montreal. But AC's multi-city planner seems to get confused by the DUB-LHR leg and only generate fares based on separate fares for each leg. As as result the price skyrockets to $2,000+.
If I just input the flight as LHR-SFO with a stopover at YUL then the prices are somewhat more reasonable but even then I'm having trouble. The multi-city planner still generates separate fares for LHR-YMQ and YMQ-SFO. I suspect what's happening is that there is limited availability on some legs so separate fares are cheaper than the more expensive fare across the whole trip. But the multi-city planner doesn't let me see the price for all the options so I can't figure out which option has reasonable prices.
Is there a way to see what flights have availability in reasonable fare buckets and then force the multi-city tool to generate the right combination of fares? I would expect a stopover to add $100 plus tax to the base price, which is what the fare rule says, so it ought to come out to about $1,100-$1,300.
As long as I'm stopping at a Canadian city I want to work in a stopover in Montreal. But AC's multi-city planner seems to get confused by the DUB-LHR leg and only generate fares based on separate fares for each leg. As as result the price skyrockets to $2,000+.
If I just input the flight as LHR-SFO with a stopover at YUL then the prices are somewhat more reasonable but even then I'm having trouble. The multi-city planner still generates separate fares for LHR-YMQ and YMQ-SFO. I suspect what's happening is that there is limited availability on some legs so separate fares are cheaper than the more expensive fare across the whole trip. But the multi-city planner doesn't let me see the price for all the options so I can't figure out which option has reasonable prices.
Is there a way to see what flights have availability in reasonable fare buckets and then force the multi-city tool to generate the right combination of fares? I would expect a stopover to add $100 plus tax to the base price, which is what the fare rule says, so it ought to come out to about $1,100-$1,300.
Sep 25, 2009 | 9:24 am
#3
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: SEA
Programs: A3*G, AC, IHG Plat AMB
Posts: 1,606
I normally just price ex-LHR and take advantage of the (currently-going) BMI deals to get to and from LHR from DUB. You should often be able to get flights DUB-LHR for 35 and LHR-DUB for 45, and 500 miles each way.
You may likely get it included in the ticket if you call in to AC, but if you want to spread it out the Hoxton is having another 1 sale next Thursday if you wanted to overnight in London. It's somewhat inconvenient to get there from LHR, but it's a nice enough place to overnight.
You may likely get it included in the ticket if you call in to AC, but if you want to spread it out the Hoxton is having another 1 sale next Thursday if you wanted to overnight in London. It's somewhat inconvenient to get there from LHR, but it's a nice enough place to overnight.
Sep 25, 2009 | 10:56 am
#4
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 2,025
Random searches in October (ITA Software, from: dub::bd ac+, to: sfo::ac+ bd):
Fare (A1): AC DUBYMQ K0MSLXL fare (rules) 176.50
Fare (B1): AC YMQSFO L5QSTP fare (rules) C$240.50
Fare (B2): AC SFOYMQ L5QSTP fare (rules) C$240.50
Fare (A2): AC YMQDUB K0MSLXL fare (rules) 176.50
... plus the usual junk, total cost US$1140, within your price range.
Note that as these are two fares combined (at Montreal) you can stopover there in either or both directions at no cost.
Fare (A1): AC DUBYMQ K0MSLXL fare (rules) 176.50
Fare (B1): AC YMQSFO L5QSTP fare (rules) C$240.50
Fare (B2): AC SFOYMQ L5QSTP fare (rules) C$240.50
Fare (A2): AC YMQDUB K0MSLXL fare (rules) 176.50
... plus the usual junk, total cost US$1140, within your price range.
Note that as these are two fares combined (at Montreal) you can stopover there in either or both directions at no cost.
Sep 25, 2009 | 4:45 pm
#5
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,019
If you have no particular affinity for AC metal, but want to stay *A for the EQM then you can easily find cheaper options.
UA DUB-LHR/FRA-SFO and vv is rocking on in as low as 755 USD r/t all-in. All depends on your date flexibility.
This gives no opportunity for the stop in Canada of course, but then I was thinking that was you taking the opportunity IF you had to go with AC. Personally I'd take the one less connection and go with UA/LH.
UA DUB-LHR/FRA-SFO and vv is rocking on in as low as 755 USD r/t all-in. All depends on your date flexibility.
This gives no opportunity for the stop in Canada of course, but then I was thinking that was you taking the opportunity IF you had to go with AC. Personally I'd take the one less connection and go with UA/LH.