Go Back  FlyerTalk Forums > Destinations > Americas > Canada
Reload this Page >

Is it always this expensive to fly out of YYC?!

Community
Wiki Posts
Search

Is it always this expensive to fly out of YYC?!

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Oct 29, 2012 | 4:02 pm
  #1  
Original Poster
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Community Builder
Active Streak: 30 Days
All eyes on you!
25 Years on Site
 
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Denver, CO
Programs: UA Silver, Bonvoy Gold, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 23,192
Is it always this expensive to fly out of YYC?!

My niece is spending the year as a nanny in Calgary. We've already initiated plans for her parents (as well as Mrs. Swede's parents) to fly to DEN over Christmas and New Year's. I figured, YYC is not too far, airfares shouldn't be too expensive.

$800-900 round-trip?! Are you (bleepin') kidding me?!

Are fares ex-YYC to the US always this expensive? I realize this is over a very popular time of the year, but I could have never fathomed tickets being this expensive. I started looking in early September, and fares have only decreased to the low $700 range just recently.
pseudoswede is online now  
Old Oct 29, 2012 | 4:22 pm
  #2  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Conversation Starter
All eyes on you!
20 Years on Site
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: somewhere north of London, UK
Programs: HH Gold, BA Silver, Accor Silver
Posts: 15,270
Transborder US/CA flights always seem to be horrifically expensive, but YYC-DEN is around 1000 miles (3hrs), so a decent haul and there doesn't appear to be any competition on the (small) nonstop flights, either!
Swiss Tony is offline  
Old Oct 29, 2012 | 8:44 pm
  #3  
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Community Builder
20 Years on Site
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: YEG
Programs: HH Silver
Posts: 57,058
You didn't mention what were prices like when you started looking in Sept.?
tcook052 is offline  
Old Oct 30, 2012 | 9:55 am
  #4  
30 Countries Visited
All eyes on you!
10 Years on Site
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: YYZ/YHM
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Platinum, Air Canada 50K, United Silver, Accor Platinum, Others on Rotation
Posts: 405
Yes fares are always expensive out of YYC.

However, I could expect fares of about $270-$300 one way including tax per person for that route around Christmas (excluding baggage fees).

You may have missed your window for pricing though. For Christmas and New Year travel I find your last chance for lowest fares is around Canadian Thanksgiving (mid October).

If you are able to adjust your dates you'll get more palatable fares.
CanadianConnection33 is offline  
Old Oct 30, 2012 | 1:38 pm
  #5  
Original Poster
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Community Builder
Active Streak: 30 Days
All eyes on you!
25 Years on Site
 
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Denver, CO
Programs: UA Silver, Bonvoy Gold, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 23,192
Originally Posted by tcook052
You didn't mention what were prices like when you started looking in Sept.?
Non-stops were in the $900-range.
pseudoswede is online now  
Old Nov 2, 2012 | 3:26 pm
  #6  
All eyes on you!
15 Years on Site
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Canada
Programs: Star Alliance G*, Marriott Bonvoy Titanium,
Posts: 3,748
airfares from YYC

I don't think YYC is any more expensive than other Canadian airports.

Having said that, I found YYC-PHX in mid-January on US for $384 CAD i.e. it pays to shop around!

I think your issue is you are looking over the holidays, when demand exceeds supply!
Antonio8069 is offline  
Old Nov 2, 2012 | 6:25 pm
  #7  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
40 Countries Visited
All eyes on you!
25 Years on Site
 
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Edmonton, AB, Canada
Programs: AC 75K, Hertz Presidents Circle, Accor Gold, Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 10,271
Your issue is that you are flying from a UA hub to a spoke....you will always be screwed on this route unless you can find a deal on a cnx flight or buy a tkt to Las Vegas and another one to YYC.
Altaflyer is offline  
Old Nov 5, 2012 | 1:42 pm
  #8  
Original Poster
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Community Builder
Active Streak: 30 Days
All eyes on you!
25 Years on Site
 
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Denver, CO
Programs: UA Silver, Bonvoy Gold, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 23,192
Originally Posted by Antonio8069
I think your issue is you are looking over the holidays, when demand exceeds supply!
Originally Posted by Altaflyer
unless you can find a deal on a cnx flight or buy a tkt to Las Vegas and another one to YYC.
Yes, certainly the timing is bad, and the #1 reason for such high airfares.

I've done searches on multi-city itineraries, and prices are similar, if not higher.

Tickets have been booked, and the holiday plans continue.
pseudoswede is online now  
Old Nov 8, 2012 | 5:24 pm
  #9  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Anywhere I need to be.
Programs: OW Emerald, *A Gold, NEXUS, GE, ABTC/APEC, South Korea SES, eIACS, PP, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 16,046
Originally Posted by Altaflyer
Your issue is that you are flying from a UA hub to a spoke....you will always be screwed on this route unless you can find a deal on a cnx flight or buy a tkt to Las Vegas and another one to YYC.
And ditch the DEN LAS segment!!!!!
(I was explaining hidden city to someone, but they forgot to get off at the desired city despite me telling them and reminding them to do that)
Also DO NOT take any VDBs as you might get rerouted via SFO/YVR.
For the return I would do a one way car rental and fly out from LAS.
Also buy 2 different tickets to avoid GST on return.
It can't be easy doing domestic work up there though when there are many immigrants willing to do it for less when paid in cash.
AA_EXP09 is offline  


Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

This site is owned, operated, and maintained by MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Designated trademarks are the property of their respective owners.