Fare Class Availability
Feb 25, 2011 | 4:39 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2000
Programs: UA 1K, DL DM, EK PL
Posts: 227
Fare Class Availability
A quick question for the experts out there:
On May 13th, there are two flights going AMS-EWR. co.com shows only one BF seat taken on either of those flights, yet the only fare class that's available for purchase is a full C fare. Now, as someone who is almost always able to book a Z on this route, I find it pretty odd that with only one seat taken out of a possible 40 seats, there is only C available. I'm happy to buy a higher fare class when a flight is getting pretty full, but one seat taken? Seems odd...
Called an agent and got absolutely nowhere, so was curious if the board knew why this might be the case.
Many thanks
On May 13th, there are two flights going AMS-EWR. co.com shows only one BF seat taken on either of those flights, yet the only fare class that's available for purchase is a full C fare. Now, as someone who is almost always able to book a Z on this route, I find it pretty odd that with only one seat taken out of a possible 40 seats, there is only C available. I'm happy to buy a higher fare class when a flight is getting pretty full, but one seat taken? Seems odd...
Called an agent and got absolutely nowhere, so was curious if the board knew why this might be the case.
Many thanks
Feb 25, 2011 | 5:35 am
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Mother's Day weekend? General stinginess?
Plenty of Z thru ORD/IAD
Plenty of Z thru ORD/IAD
Feb 25, 2011 | 6:17 am
#3
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Are seatmaps an actual indicator of loads on CO?
On most airlines they aren't.
On most airlines they aren't.
Feb 25, 2011 | 7:28 am
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2000
Programs: UA 1K, DL DM, EK PL
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I didnt think they were either, but the agent confirmed for me me that there was only one seat booked...
Feb 25, 2011 | 8:26 am
#5
Join Date: Jun 2000
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Funny that I have a similar situation for May 15 IAH-NRT, with seat map showing only two seats assigned but J9/C9/D0/Z0 availability. The C fare fluctuates between C0 and C8 or C9, but always J9, D0 and Z0 on May 15, which falls on a Sunday. From past experience, Z seems hard to come by on weekends (Thu - Mon), but has a better chance of being available during mid-week (Tue - Wed/Thu). Therefore, I'm confirmed with a connection through SFO in Z all the way on UA, who has plenty of J9/C9/D9/Z9.
I was just about to call CO and see how the chance would be with Z on the non-stop CO7 IAH-NRT. From reading the above, it seems like it's of no help to call.
I was just about to call CO and see how the chance would be with Z on the non-stop CO7 IAH-NRT. From reading the above, it seems like it's of no help to call.
Feb 25, 2011 | 9:00 am
#6
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: PSM
Posts: 69,232
They won't magically open seats up just because you call and ask them to. And that flights is still Z0 right now, though there are a number of creative routings available including picking up AC via YVR which I find a more pleasant in-flight than UA C.
Feb 25, 2011 | 9:05 am
#7
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And the agents have no idea what revenue management will or won't do. Or even how it works.
To the OP - an ExpertFlyer subscription can monitor and alert you to the opening of Z inventory. Cost ($99/yr iirc) quickly recouped vs paying for D class...
To the OP - an ExpertFlyer subscription can monitor and alert you to the opening of Z inventory. Cost ($99/yr iirc) quickly recouped vs paying for D class...
Feb 25, 2011 | 9:42 am
#8
Join Date: Jun 2000
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^ Great advice! I didn't expect Z to magically become available, perhaps a phone call is worth it on re-route because when I tried to change flights online, it tells me to call the 800 number. Thanks!
Feb 25, 2011 | 6:03 pm
#9
Join Date: Apr 2007
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Originally Posted by AirJunkie
On May 13th, there are two flights going AMS-EWR. co.com shows only one BF seat taken on either of those flights, yet the only fare class that's available for purchase is a full C fare.