Crazy High Fare to Eagle/Vail, CO
 

Tell me if this makes any since. Cheapest available for AGS-EGE (via ATL of course) for 1/4 departure, 2/8 return prices out at $1,108.80 (all H fares, nothing cheaper, even for the AGS-ATL ATL-AGS legs).

Yet, my mother manages to book the exact same itinerary for 25,000 miles (I saw it with my own two eyes, otherwise I wouldn't have believed it). AND, miles tickets are still pricing out for 25k when I look at it. I am baffled.

Try 2 one way tix

I see $554 for AGS-ATL-EGE on 1/4/2012, and $554 for EGE-ATL-AGS on 2/8/2012.

then use your miles if it is only 25k.

1/4 to 2/8...you have crossed the magical 30 day stay period. If you leave EGE on 2/3 it is $668, 2/4 or later it is $1K+.

This is very typical. Many ski desitnations (such as HDN) subsidize airfares through local sales/lodging taxes. Vail/Eagle and Jackson are usually quite expensive.

Fly to DEN, rent a car, and hope for clear roads.

Try living in JAC!!!! It really sucks living in a ski/vacation town to Oprah.

Everybody I know in Wyoming flies their own plane to get around (single-engine props not jets).

There is almost nothing about legacy airline revenue management systems that make sense in an absolute way.

You just have to understand that someone who is supposedly really smart has constructed an algorithm that someone who is supposedly really important feels will generate maximum revenue.

I would consider those fares in the "normal" range.

Purchase miles then book the flight.

Drive to ATL and fly to EGE...no road worries. Will save $450.

Use http://matrix.itasoftware.com/ to find the dates you want to book using the "calendar search" option, then go to delta.com to book. I see a lot of $515 during Jan from AGS-EGE.