Why the Difference in Fares (AA vs DL)
Sep 10, 2014, 8:40 pm
#1
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Why the Difference in Fares (AA vs DL)
I am looking at First Class r/t fares from DFW to SAV in October. DL is $797; UA is $871; and US is $1062 while AA is $2537. Really? Would any sane person fly that route for over $2500? Yes, AA has the only non-stop, but that should make it cheaper, not more. AA is flying RJ-145s while DL is flying mainline (via ATL). Also, why is US one-half the AA fare (via Charlotte)? The only reason I can come up with is that AA revenue management folks feel that can fill up the smaller plane at such ridiculous fares.
Sep 10, 2014, 8:53 pm
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Nonstops on thin routes with no competition are typically expensive
Sep 10, 2014, 9:24 pm
#3
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Nonstops on thin routes with no competition are typically expensive
Sep 10, 2014, 9:49 pm
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Looking at the first week of October I can only see Embraer 145's on the direct flights (3 e/w per day).
I don't believe ER4's have First Class?
Last edited by serfty; Sep 10, 2014 at 9:55 pm
Sep 10, 2014, 9:51 pm
#5
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I found these AA (and one world anomalies) a lot when booking flights to Europe over the summer (but in Y).
I got around it by booking via third party websites (hipmunk, kayak etc.)
I got around it by booking via third party websites (hipmunk, kayak etc.)
Sep 10, 2014, 9:51 pm
#6
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They most likely all have a matching fare structure. Given the size of the RJ F cabin, there may only be one or two discounted seats (or none until seats don't sell). However, AA does not want to release very many discounted F seats on a hop like that because they can lose a long haul international premium pax over it. If they sell you that hop at say, the $797 fare, they can't sell an F or J ticket SAV/NRT without the RJ segment being in Y. High value flyer will go to another airline.
Sep 10, 2014, 10:25 pm
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It looks like the nonstop is ER4s with no first class. The $2500 fare you're seeing is for a routing via PHL or CLT on planes with F ($2537 in P class, an instant upgrade fare, although there's no way to tell that without reading the detailed fare rules!). Even the $3100 fare is also a P class instant upgrade fare. Sounds like AA doesn't bother to file a competitive F fare on an indirect routing when they offer a nonstop option, even coach-only. Doesn't seem crazy to me.
The fare is $2500 round trip on flights that show F7P7 (which is every flight). Looks like they have a N-up fare for $2500 round trip and a G-up fare for $3100.
They most likely all have a matching fare structure. Given the size of the RJ F cabin, there may only be one or two discounted seats (or none until seats don't sell). However, AA does not want to release very many discounted F seats on a hop like that because they can lose a long haul international premium pax over it. If they sell you that hop at say, the $797 fare, they can't sell an F or J ticket SAV/NRT without the RJ segment being in Y. High value flyer will go to another airline.
Sep 10, 2014, 10:28 pm
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Sep 10, 2014, 10:41 pm
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Sep 10, 2014, 11:37 pm
#10
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are you just trying to be argumentative here?
Sep 17, 2014, 5:50 pm
#11
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I've also noticed prices increasing out of TUS for the holidays. I paid $1,000 less for F last year to BDL. I'm like whhhaat. But luckily I can fly US for a more reasonable price and still earn AA miles... but DL is $500 less on that route. What gives AA?
Sep 17, 2014, 9:35 pm
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I've always noticed that AA charges a premium over other carriers on many routes. Usually a smaller one in Y and a bit more in F. In the past, I would have paid and did pay the premium to fly on AA (maybe not the ridiculous amount the OP is talking about) but now I see AA offering little value if any over its competition.
Sep 18, 2014, 12:27 am
#13
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I've always noticed that AA charges a premium over other carriers on many routes. Usually a smaller one in Y and a bit more in F. In the past, I would have paid and did pay the premium to fly on AA (maybe not the ridiculous amount the OP is talking about) but now I see AA offering little value if any over its competition.
Sep 18, 2014, 1:07 am
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I've looked at LAX-HNL where AAs FC fares are often twice as much as Delta's. And delta has the lie flat seats on some flights.
Also LAX-JFK in y. AAs fares months out are 50-100% higher than Delta's . I don't understand it either.
Also LAX-JFK in y. AAs fares months out are 50-100% higher than Delta's . I don't understand it either.
Sep 18, 2014, 9:04 am
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Sometimes I struggle to find the rhyme or reason why things are priced the way they are. On an upcoming trip, UA/DL wanted just under $700 for BWI-SMF and offered much better routings than AA/US that wanted $1100 for the same ticket.
Makes no sense why that it. It just is.
Makes no sense why that it. It just is.