B fares: What are they used for?
Feb 9, 2006, 1:28 pm
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B fares: What are they used for?
I have had a lot of trouble finding B fares, and have seen many posters saying that you need to call to check for them. Is this the fare used for RTW fares booked in economy? It seems to be as hard to find as paid A class on a three-class a/c. However, EF always has that code listed, so it must be available somewhere.
Feb 9, 2006, 1:31 pm
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Originally Posted by Fly AA J all the way
I have had a lot of trouble finding B fares, and have seen many posters saying that you need to call to check for them. Is this the fare used for RTW fares booked in economy? It seems to be as hard to find as paid A class on a three-class a/c. However, EF always has that code listed, so it must be available somewhere.
Have you done that?
Feb 9, 2006, 1:31 pm
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Originally Posted by Fly AA J all the way
I have had a lot of trouble finding B fares, and have seen many posters saying that you need to call to check for them. Is this the fare used for RTW fares booked in economy? It seems to be as hard to find as paid A class on a three-class a/c. However, EF always has that code listed, so it must be available somewhere.
What are B fares used for? Cheaper alternatives to Y.
Feb 9, 2006, 1:33 pm
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Originally Posted by JonNYC
All you do is call AA and ask for the -B- fare on any given route/date.
Have you done that?
Have you done that?
I actually did that for several trips, and never found a domestic B fare. The only time I have seen one is when there was a schedule change, and AA rebooked me on a B fare.
Feb 9, 2006, 1:35 pm
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Originally Posted by Fly AA J all the way
I actually did that for several trips, and never found a domestic B fare. The only time I have seen one is when there was a schedule change, and AA rebooked me on a B fare.
Feb 9, 2006, 2:23 pm
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Originally Posted by JonNYC
Well, there ya' go. On some routes there are -B- fares, on some there aren't. There's not much reason to seek one out in your case.
If work sends me on transcons, the only domestics I upgrade using miles, and will buy coach tix, then it's worth considering. At that point, the miles spent on the upgrade don't outnumber the the miles earned (when I get my PLT back). And, I can't always get YUPs (and would feel guilty doing it if B fares are available).
Feb 9, 2006, 2:31 pm
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Originally Posted by Fly AA J all the way
If work sends me on transcons, the only domestics I upgrade using miles, and will buy coach tix, then it's worth considering. At that point, the miles spent on the upgrade don't outnumber the the miles earned (when I get my PLT back). And, I can't always get YUPs (and would feel guilty doing it if B fares are available).
Feb 9, 2006, 2:41 pm
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Originally Posted by JonNYC
Honestly. I don't think you really are familiar, at all, with how much -B- fares, where available, actually cost-- I've seen you massively misstate the costs of -B- fares before-- they are very expensive as a general rule. I also don't understand what you think the advantages are in your case-- what, exactly, do you think they do for you?
I have seen them under $1,200 to Europe. I guess I thought that they were all similarly positioned next to the comparable Y fares. I guess I must be massively mistaken. But, hey, I've said it before, I'll be the last to admit that I'm wrong
.
Feb 9, 2006, 2:43 pm
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Originally Posted by JonNYC
Honestly. I don't think you really are familiar, at all, with how much -B- fares, where available, actually cost-- I've seen you massively misstate the costs of -B- fares before-- they are very expensive as a general rule. I also don't understand what you think the advantages are in your case-- what, exactly, do you think they do for you?
B class fares are the lowest economy fares that can be upgraded using miles at the full fare economy rate (fewer miles and no co-pay to upgrade). They also tend to be the cheapest fares that are very flexible.
Feb 9, 2006, 2:51 pm
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Originally Posted by Fly AA J all the way
I have seen them under $1,200 to Europe. I guess I thought that they were all similarly positioned next to the comparable Y fares. I guess I must be massively mistaken. But, hey, I've said it before, I'll be the last to admit that I'm wrong .
.http://flyertalk.com/forum/showthrea...hlight=bos-lhr
Last edited by JonNYC; Feb 9, 2006 at 3:22 pm
Feb 9, 2006, 2:56 pm
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Originally Posted by 1/4MM@20
B class fares are the lowest economy fares that can be upgraded using miles at the full fare economy rate (fewer miles and no co-pay to upgrade). They also tend to be the cheapest fares that are very flexible.
Also, they are consdered "full fare coach" so you get 1.5 EQPs instead of 1.0 on the H fare.
Feb 9, 2006, 2:59 pm
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I'm a huge fan of -B- fares-- especially to South America and I've posted about them many times.
http://flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=362730
http://flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=438875
http://flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=439361
I think I know a thing or two on the subject.
And, there have been numerous other occasions when I've pointed out the benefit of specific, international -B- fares to members here-- pointing out that the saving of 50,000 miles and $500 makes the fare difference (if any) minimal (especially considering extra Q-points and flexibility.)
But re-read the OP and tell me what a -B- fare can do for this poster.
http://flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=362730
http://flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=438875
http://flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=439361
I think I know a thing or two on the subject.
And, there have been numerous other occasions when I've pointed out the benefit of specific, international -B- fares to members here-- pointing out that the saving of 50,000 miles and $500 makes the fare difference (if any) minimal (especially considering extra Q-points and flexibility.)
But re-read the OP and tell me what a -B- fare can do for this poster.
Last edited by JonNYC; Feb 9, 2006 at 3:09 pm
Feb 9, 2006, 3:19 pm
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B fares are great- I had one for JFK-LHR-MAD-LHR-CVG-IAD for about $1700. Upgraded to J (well, C) on both transatlantic segments. I always look for these fares when I fly internationally.
Feb 9, 2006, 4:19 pm
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Originally Posted by Fly AA J all the way
And, I can't always get YUPs (and would feel guilty doing it if B fares are available).
Feb 9, 2006, 4:55 pm
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Originally Posted by JonNYC
But re-read the OP and tell me what a -B- fare can do for this poster.
Last edited by wanaflyforless; Feb 9, 2006 at 6:58 pm Reason: To remove unnecessary commentary