Base Economy is such a bargain!
Jan 4, 2017, 12:34 pm
#16
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Wayne, PA USA
Programs: DL MM, Marriott Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, HHonors Gold
Posts: 7,242
Jan 4, 2017, 12:48 pm
#18
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: CT
Programs: DL DM 2MM, MR LTT, Hilton D, Hertz PC. National Emerald Exec, UA Silver(thanks to Marriott)
Posts: 2,026
Jan 4, 2017, 6:27 pm
#20
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: 27,042
There's normally a valid reason for these. Either the E fare is broken, meaning two E fares together one-way, or the search used, CHI, WAS, NYC, etc. The final thing is if the other portion of a RT requires a higher fare for E fare. Then it shows the min. you can pay for E. Finally there can be a sale in Y.
Jan 4, 2017, 6:52 pm
#21
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 23,056
Note that BE is not offered on itin's that involve VS metal codeshares. Also note that DL displays the total lowest possible price when doing roundtrip searches (rather than each way pricing). So the RT pricing displayed for the BE fares only considers DL metal options in both directions and excludes any potentially cheaper options involving VS metal. Without building a complete itin with the return flights, it's not possible to see if the BE option is indeed more expensive for the exact same itin in main cabin.
In the MSP-MDW case, it is quite clear from the fare codings that they are missing a corresponding BE fare to match the $63 main cabin fare. The main cabin fare is a VA7QJ0MN. There should be a corresponding BE fare where the sixth letter is a 'B', instead of an 'M' and the first 5 letters all match. But if you look at the $93 BE fare, you will see that the coding doesn't match -- it's VA0NJ0BN. By making BE and C+ separate fare classes, it creates much more opportunities for screw-up's like this as you now need to have two additional fare filings for each coach fare.
In the MSP-MDW case, it is quite clear from the fare codings that they are missing a corresponding BE fare to match the $63 main cabin fare. The main cabin fare is a VA7QJ0MN. There should be a corresponding BE fare where the sixth letter is a 'B', instead of an 'M' and the first 5 letters all match. But if you look at the $93 BE fare, you will see that the coding doesn't match -- it's VA0NJ0BN. By making BE and C+ separate fare classes, it creates much more opportunities for screw-up's like this as you now need to have two additional fare filings for each coach fare.
Last edited by xliioper; Jan 4, 2017 at 7:05 pm