FlyerTalk Forums - Pricing Issues Direct vs Connect

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I have noticed, (and this may be a result of my being based in IAH and flying primarily leisure routes), that if a nonstop is available, CO will almost always price it out cheaper than a connection (even when using multi-city search). There are a few exceptions to this, such as IAH-DFW/AUS/SAT-EWR sometimes pricing out cheaper than IAH-EWR during peak travel periods.

Unlike certain airlines (AA springs to mind, where 1-2+ connection flights almost always are cheaper, even departing from hubs), CO seems pretty intent on encouraging passengers to take as few connections as possible.

Quote:

Originally Posted by fireworksboy (Post 7668263)

When I do this I get a $600+ price as opposed to the direct flight cost of $350 or so.

CO did this to "FIX" the so called mileage run glitch - folks doing multiple segments to earn more miles. It is cheaper for CO to fly you nonstop than make a connection. In the past airlines charged a premium for nonstop - because it was less competitive - but now they charge more for the connection.

But if you do not live at a hub - then you have to connect - and CO varies the pricing on where they want to connect. Although I find many times they also want you to connect in CLE and do the RJ from DCA to CLE. Again CO - stop forcing me to CLE on XJT RJ. CO you no longer own any XJT stock - so why are you pushing me connect to CLE and give revenue to XJT.

I might add - I am pricing out some connecting flights for future travel and what I am getting is exactly the sum of the separate nonstop trips - minus the duplicate taxes. So I am not even getting the advantage of a single booking, single checkin, single ticket, etc. I guess those items do not count anymore - overhead already in place.

Quote:

Originally Posted by yellow77 (Post 7668330)

Seems like you have two issues really - 1. co.com wouldn't even tell you the price for the flights you want. and 2. it's much more expensive than you want when you do force it to tell you.

You're absolutely right. In a perfect world I'd be able to:
1. Get there for the lowest price co.com will price the ticket for my dates - $350 or so.
2. Get there early on Friday and return early on Sunday.
3. Get full EQM/EQP for the flight.

I've got a free award ticket on SW that I could use (and their schedule is perfect for me) but I'd rather earn some miles for the trip and give the SW award to a family member.

I appreciate all the advice and will keep checking the multpile destinations search and see if any lower fare buckets open up between now and then. Thanks all.