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Finding an R fare

I am flying MAN-CRW soon, and mulling over my choices. I'm thinking about buying a Y fare on US and upgrading it via GoEnvoy. Alternatively, I've been lucky in the past with some good R fares MAN-EWR. However, these seem harder to find, with Co.com often disagreeing with Expertflyer as to whether there are any seats left.

For example, CO21 on 31st Oct has R4 according to Expertflyer, but CO says not.

Am I trying to book way too close to departure to have any luck?

Quote:

Originally Posted by rpjepson (Post 10575214)

The best way to find inexpensive BF fares on CO is to go to the web site and put in for F fares, then go to advanced search and click "find least expensive fare" midway down. I would also suggest clicking on the flexibility in dates and travel airports. You may find the R fare from another airport within driving distance of your home, or on another date near the one you wanted. Flexibility is the key. Good luck.

BTW, just because seatcounter says that there are seats available in a bucket does not mean that CO is willing to make them available to us. However, if they are there, going to CO.com frequently and looking for them may be helpful, since you never know when yield management will release a bucket.

Quote:

Originally Posted by radonc1 (Post 10575259)

BTW, just because seatcounter says that there are seats available in a bucket does not mean that CO is willing to make them available to us. However, if they are there, going to CO.com frequently and looking for them may be helpful, since you never know when yield management will release a bucket.

Actually, CO will sell you the R seat if it is in the bucket AND there is an R fare published that meets the conditions defined by the itinerary. And it is the latter part that I believe is foiling the OP's efforts.

In this case, however, there actually is an R fare published for MAN-CRW ($2106), so by guess is that some condition of the fare is not being met. Looking at the details of the fare rules (thanks, KVS!) I find this:

Code:

[SEASONALITY]

PERMITTED 15DEC08 THROUGH 06JAN09 ON THE OUTBOUND TRANSATLANTIC SECTOR.

SEASON IS BASED ON DATE OF ORIGIN.

There's also this juicy nugget:

Code:

[ADVANCE RESERVATIONS/TICKETING]

FARE RULE CONFIRMED RESERVATIONS FOR ALL SECTORS ARE REQUIRED AT LEAST

21 DAYS BEFORE DEPARTURE.

So, trying to buy an R fare for travel next week isn't going to happen, even though there is an R fare published and R inventory available, as you do not meet the advance purchase or travel date restrictions. Make sense?

Quote:

Originally Posted by sbm12 (Post 10575305)

Code:

[SEASONALITY]

PERMITTED 15DEC08 THROUGH 06JAN09 ON THE OUTBOUND TRANSATLANTIC SECTOR.

SEASON IS BASED ON DATE OF ORIGIN.

There's also this juicy nugget:

Code:

[ADVANCE RESERVATIONS/TICKETING]

FARE RULE CONFIRMED RESERVATIONS FOR ALL SECTORS ARE REQUIRED AT LEAST

21 DAYS BEFORE DEPARTURE.

This is why I love FT. There is always something to learn on it and it usually makes for better flights and cheaper costs ^.

Quote:

Originally Posted by radonc1 (Post 10576017)

This is why I love FT. There is always something to learn on it and it usually makes for better flights and cheaper costs ^.

+1 Nice work detective!