award pricing weirdness
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Washington DC
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Posts: 590
award pricing weirdness
So I'm just wondering if someone can explain this to me, I'm so curious. I'm looking at travel later this year from WAS-NYP. I just need to get to JFK for a flight so don't need all the frills, etc, just need to get there. These are ESTIMATED numbers but coach is $30 o/w and biz class is say $90 or so. I looked at burning some points (don't want to debate the "why" thanks) and the coach ticket is approx 4200 points and biz class is approx 3100 points. That's crazy that Biz class is lower. I don't "Want" biz class but to save on points I may get the ticket, I'm just curious as to why there is a difference and why biz class is so much lower in terms of points?? Thanks and safe travels! Oops, I should add this is on Amtrak regional..
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Not here; there!
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Posts: 29,601
I don't know the "why," soxfanndc, but I also noticed a similar discrepancy when pricing a WAS-WIL trip last Spring.
By the way, if you are planning to take the LIRR from NYP to Jamaica to catch the JFK AirTrain, I trust that you are aware of the special $5 "City Ticket" rail fare available for travel during all off-peak times on the LIRR.
By the way, if you are planning to take the LIRR from NYP to Jamaica to catch the JFK AirTrain, I trust that you are aware of the special $5 "City Ticket" rail fare available for travel during all off-peak times on the LIRR.
#4
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: NJ
Programs: UA LTG, AA LTG, Bonvoy LTP, IHG Plat, LHW Sterling
Posts: 2,405
So I'm just wondering if someone can explain this to me, I'm so curious. I'm looking at travel later this year from WAS-NYP. I just need to get to JFK for a flight so don't need all the frills, etc, just need to get there. These are ESTIMATED numbers but coach is $30 o/w and biz class is say $90 or so. I looked at burning some points (don't want to debate the "why" thanks) and the coach ticket is approx 4200 points and biz class is approx 3100 points. That's crazy that Biz class is lower. I don't "Want" biz class but to save on points I may get the ticket, I'm just curious as to why there is a difference and why biz class is so much lower in terms of points?? Thanks and safe travels! Oops, I should add this is on Amtrak regional..
Last edited by schriste; Jan 25, 2023 at 7:40 pm
#5
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 6
Agree with folks here - it happens. AND sometimes the Acela close to a regional train time could be cheaper. You just get lucky - - and if you have an upgrade coupon that's about to expire and get the Acela ticket, you now have a first class ticket (with a meal!) for the same or less than a low-ball coach set on a regional train. Enjoy it if/when it happens.
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2000
Programs: UA Million Miler (lite). NY Metro area.
Posts: 15,082
So I'm just wondering if someone can explain this to me, I'm so curious. I'm looking at travel later this year from WAS-NYP. I just need to get to JFK for a flight so don't need all the frills, etc, just need to get there. These are ESTIMATED numbers but coach is $30 o/w and biz class is say $90 or so. I looked at burning some points (don't want to debate the "why" thanks) and the coach ticket is approx 4200 points and biz class is approx 3100 points. That's crazy that Biz class is lower. I don't "Want" biz class but to save on points I may get the ticket, I'm just curious as to why there is a difference and why biz class is so much lower in terms of points?? Thanks and safe travels! Oops, I should add this is on Amtrak regional..
dh
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2000
Programs: UA Million Miler (lite). NY Metro area.
Posts: 15,082
So answer me this...
I booked an award ticket SFC (downtown San Francisco) to EMY to LAX on the CS. I could have booked EMY/LAX, but that was more costly in cash and awards? The SFC departure is an Amtrak bus to EMY. Why is this less expensive than EMY/LAX??
dh
I booked an award ticket SFC (downtown San Francisco) to EMY to LAX on the CS. I could have booked EMY/LAX, but that was more costly in cash and awards? The SFC departure is an Amtrak bus to EMY. Why is this less expensive than EMY/LAX??
dh
#8
Moderator, Amtrak & Spirit Airlines
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: EWR :rolleyes:
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Posts: 9,631
I think it could be a married segment thing where the bus connection changes the fare bucket on the CS.
#9
It wasn't an award, but it was pricing weirdness. For a trip earlier this month, a bus from SFC to EMY followed by a bedroom on the Coast Starlight to LAX was more than $100 higher than a bedroom from OKJ to LAX on the same train on the same day. (I planned to take the ferry to Oakland and catch the Coast Starlight there, but things changed and I didn't take the trip.)
#10
Join Date: Apr 2021
Location: HPN, LAX, HNL, or somewhere in between
Programs: UA 1K, JetBlue Mosaic
Posts: 436
Flexible cheaper than Value fare?