Why am I getting lower fares for the same flight on Air France?
Sep 5, 2016, 4:10 pm
#1
Suspended
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: NYC
Programs: VX Elevate, B6 TrueBlue, DL SkyMiles
Posts: 72
Why am I getting lower fares for the same flight on Air France?
Why am I getting a round trip fare on airfrance.com that is $100 dollars cheaper than the exact same flight (operated by AF, DL codeshare) booked through delta.com? The AF fare is inclusive of all fees, so I don't get the fare difference? What's that all about? 
Sep 5, 2016, 4:21 pm
#3
Suspended
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: NYC
Programs: VX Elevate, B6 TrueBlue, DL SkyMiles
Posts: 72
Sep 5, 2016, 4:34 pm
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: San Antonio
Programs: DL DM, Former AA EXP now AY Plat, AC 75K, NW Plat, Former CO Gold, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 27,032
The DL coded flight is a different flight then the AF coded one, even though it will be operated by the same plane. Thus the DL flight might only have full PE fares while the AF could have discounted W fares.
Sep 5, 2016, 4:43 pm
#5
Suspended
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: NYC
Programs: VX Elevate, B6 TrueBlue, DL SkyMiles
Posts: 72
Thanks for the answers!
Sep 5, 2016, 4:53 pm
#6
Join Date: Jul 2009
Programs: Delta Gold, silver, what yr is it?
Posts: 2,415
In some cases in the past (haven't tried recently) I've gotten "cheaper" flights on AF because it will put me in coach for a connecting flight when I do premium economy for the TATL portion, but Delta was putting me in 1st class for that same connecting flight (now they might do C+)
Sep 5, 2016, 6:11 pm
#7
In memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2005
Location: PIT
Programs: DM life is over 2MM PM now & NW MillionAir Wyndham Rewards Plat -Hotels.com Silver -Accor Silver
Posts: 15,408
Why am I getting lower fares for the same flight on Air France?
Delta <apparently> thinx - - that YOU'LL think - - it's worth $100 extra to see "DL" on your itin.
Delta <apparently> thinx - - that YOU'LL think - - it's worth $100 extra to see "DL" on your itin.
Sep 5, 2016, 6:53 pm
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 23,011
Sep 6, 2016, 2:58 am
#10
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Santo Domingo, Dom. Rep. / Washington, DC
Programs: AA PPro/DL PLT, PPass, Marriott / Hilton Gold, JetBlue Mosaic, Hertz Presidents Circle, Amex Plat
Posts: 4,628
Be careful and verify the fare rules. Delta most of the time sells Non-refundable but changeable flights, while AF is notorious for selling the same flights at a lower fare with zero flexibility (no changes allowed even on extreme circumstances) or a higher change fee. Check ITA for the specific fare rules of each flight.
Sep 6, 2016, 5:17 am
#11
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: UK/FR
Programs: FlyingBlue Platinum, Hertz PC
Posts: 886
I've seen this many times between AF and KLM.
For example, it's often that a flight operated by KLM is several hundreds € more expensive with the AF code on it or the other way around.
This the reason why I always check both website and google flight before buying anything.
For example, it's often that a flight operated by KLM is several hundreds € more expensive with the AF code on it or the other way around.
This the reason why I always check both website and google flight before buying anything.
Sep 6, 2016, 6:57 am
#12
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Mostly living in the basement
Programs: Newly minted free agent; MR LT(!)TE, HH SE, BA SECM, DL MM, UA PS, 2V Fanboi, CBP GE
Posts: 5,106
DL only sells W fares that correspond to AF's cheapest W bucket (A; also true for DL selling VA and VS W). (Usually I have the opposite "problem", AF will offer more expensive itineraries that DL refuses to sell.)
Sep 6, 2016, 7:02 am
#13
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Mostly living in the basement
Programs: Newly minted free agent; MR LT(!)TE, HH SE, BA SECM, DL MM, UA PS, 2V Fanboi, CBP GE
Posts: 5,106
Hmm, actually this seems to have changed. DL appears to be selling S fares based on some sample bookings I just tried.
