Maximizing transfers
 

I've been trying to figure a way out of BDL to London for the Olympics this summer. Since I'm going to take a bunch of time off for this, I figure I might as well hit as many European cities as I can. I found this AC fare that let's me do up to 5 transfers. So, I was like that's great, let me try to come up with some creative routes.

But then when I tried to configure this itinerary here:

http://matrix.itasoftware.com/view/d...2-4bed04c28f10

I'm trying to go BDL-YYZ-YUL-GVA-BCN-MUC-LHR then LHR-XXX-BDL. ITA thinks that I'm trying to book a trip to BCN instead of LHR. It worked fine when I didn't have the BCN and MUC legs in there.

Here are the fare rules:

http://matrix.itasoftware.com/view/f...10&fareKey=0/0

Can any of you experts help me out here? What kind of routing is permitted when you try to book transfers? Which airlines am I limited to here? And which cities am I limited to? What are some good strategies when trying to do something like this? I was trying to create a diversion to IST or AMM but I don't think it would let me. In the transfer rules section there's some comment about fare break surface sector not permitted but embbed surface area are ok. Can you explain to me what's an embedded surface area vs fare break surface sector? Thanks a lot!

Copying/pasting the URL from an ITA search never works. Try a screenshot instead.

Thanks Bryan. Pasting here the fare rules:

Fare rules & restrictions
Air Canada AC SHW6NCE HFD to LON
General notes
HIGH SEASON WEEKEND APEX NONREFUNDABLE S
FARES
FOR ROUND TRIP FARES
Day/Time restrictions
PERMITTED THU THROUGH SUN ON EACH TRANSATLANTIC SECTOR.
Seasonal restrictions
PERMITTED 18MAY 12 THROUGH 25AUG 12 OR 17MAY 13 THROUGH
24AUG 13 ON THE OUTBOUND TRANSATLANTIC SECTOR.
Flight restrictions
IF THE FARE COMPONENT INCLUDES TRAVEL WITHIN AREA 1
THEN THAT TRAVEL MUST NOT BE ON
ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING
ANY UA FLIGHT OPERATED BY US
ANY LH FLIGHT OPERATED BY B6.
AND
THE FARE COMPONENT MUST INCLUDE TRAVEL VIA TRANSATLANTIC
SECTORS ON
ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING
ANY AC FLIGHT OPERATED BY AC
ANY AC FLIGHT OPERATED BY LH
ANY AC FLIGHT OPERATED BY UA
ANY AC FLIGHT OPERATED BY LX
ANY AC FLIGHT OPERATED BY OS
ANY AC FLIGHT OPERATED BY SN.
Advanced reservation/ticketing restrictions
RESERVATIONS FOR ALL SECTORS ARE REQUIRED AT LEAST 7 DAYS
BEFORE DEPARTURE.
WAITLIST NOT PERMITTED.
TICKETING MUST BE COMPLETED WITHIN 72 HOURS AFTER
RESERVATIONS ARE MADE OR AT LEAST 7 DAYS BEFORE DEPARTURE
WHICHEVER IS EARLIER.
Minimum stay requirements
TRAVEL FROM INBOUND TRANSATLANTIC SECTOR MUST COMMENCE NO
EARLIER THAN THE FIRST SUN AFTER DEPARTURE OF THE OUTBOUND
TRANSATLANTIC SECTOR.
Maximum stay requirements
TRAVEL FROM LAST STOPOVER MUST COMMENCE NO LATER THAN 6
MONTHS AFTER DEPARTURE FROM FARE ORIGIN.
Stopover restrictions
2 STOPOVERS PERMITTED ON THE PRICING UNIT - 1 IN EACH
DIRECTION IN EUROPE AT USD 100.00 EACH.
CHILD/INFANT DISCOUNTS APPLY.
Transfer restrictions
5 TRANSFERS PERMITTED IN EACH DIRECTION FREE
3 FREE IN AREA 2/AREA 3 IN EACH DIRECTION
2 FREE IN AREA 1 IN EACH DIRECTION
FARE BREAK SURFACE SECTORS NOT PERMITTED AND EMBEDDED
SURFACE SECTORS PERMITTED ON THE FARE COMPONENT.
Combinability
APPLICABLE ADD-ON CONSTRUCTION IS ADDRESSED IN
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS - CATEGORY 23.
END-ON-END
END-ON-END COMBINATIONS PERMITTED WITH FARES WITHIN AREA
1. VALIDATE ADJACENT LINE OF FLIGHT FARE COMPONENTS
ONLY. TRAVEL MUST BE VIA THE POINT OF COMBINATION. SIDE
TRIPS PERMITTED.
END-ON-END
END-ON-END COMBINATIONS PERMITTED WITH FARES BETWEEN
AREA 1 AND AREA 3. VALIDATE ADJACENT LINE OF FLIGHT FARE
COMPONENTS ONLY. TRAVEL MUST BE VIA THE POINT OF
COMBINATION. SIDE TRIPS PERMITTED.
PROVIDED -
COMBINATIONS ARE WITH ANY FARE FOR ANY CARRIER
PUBLISHED FOR TRAVEL VIA THE PACIFIC.
END-ON-END
END-ON-END COMBINATIONS PERMITTED WITH FARES WITHIN AREA
2. VALIDATE ADJACENT LINE OF FLIGHT FARE COMPONENTS
ONLY. TRAVEL MUST BE VIA THE POINT OF COMBINATION. SIDE
TRIPS PERMITTED.
PROVIDED -
COMBINATIONS ARE FOR CARRIER AC/LH/LX/OS/UA/SN IN ANY
RULE IN ANY TARIFF.
END-ON-END
END-ON-END COMBINATIONS PERMITTED WITH FARES BETWEEN
AREA 2 AND AREA 3. VALIDATE ADJACENT LINE OF FLIGHT FARE
COMPONENTS ONLY. TRAVEL MUST BE VIA THE POINT OF
COMBINATION. SIDE TRIPS PERMITTED.
PROVIDED -
COMBINATIONS ARE FOR CARRIER CO/UA/LH/AC/LX/OS/BD/SK IN
ANY RULE IN ANY TARIFF.
END-ON-END
END-ON-END COMBINATIONS PERMITTED WITH FARES WITHIN AREA
3. VALIDATE ADJACENT LINE OF FLIGHT FARE COMPONENTS
ONLY. TRAVEL MUST BE VIA THE POINT OF COMBINATION. SIDE
TRIPS PERMITTED.
PROVIDED -
COMBINATIONS ARE FOR CARRIER CO/UA/LH/AC/LX/OS/BD/SK IN
ANY RULE IN ANY TARIFF.
OPEN JAWS/ROUND TRIPS/CIRCLE TRIPS
FARES MAY BE COMBINED ON A HALF ROUND TRIP BASIS
-TO FORM SINGLE OR DOUBLE OPEN JAWS.
MILEAGE OF THE OPEN SEGMENT MUST BE EQUAL/LESS THAN
MILEAGE OF THE LONGEST FLOWN FARE COMPONENT.
-TO FORM ROUND TRIPS/CIRCLE TRIPS.
PROVIDED -
COMBINATIONS ARE WITH ANY FARE FOR CARRIER LX/AC/LH/UA/
OS/SN/CO/BD PUBLISHED FOR TRAVEL VIA THE ATLANTIC.
Surcharges
A SECURITY SURCHARGE OF CAD 10.00 OR USD 7.00 WILL BE
ADDED TO THE APPLICABLE FARE FOR DEPARTURE FROM JAMAICA.
NOTE -
THIS CAN BE FOUND IN AC RULE 23
Sales restrictions
TICKETS MAY BE ISSUED BY PTA. PTA CONSTITUTES TICKETING.
OR - TICKETS MAY NOT BE SOLD IN IRAN,ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF.
Sales restrictions
NOTE -
EXTENSION OF TICKET VALIDITY PERMITTED UNDER
GUIDELINES SET FORTH BY CARRIER. CONTACT
CARRIER FOR DETAILS.
Penalties
CANCELLATIONS
TICKET IS NON-REFUNDABLE.
NOTE -
IF ANY PART OF THE TICKET IS UNUSED IT HAS NO
VALUE AFTER TICKETED DEPARTURE DATE.
CHANGES
BEFORE DEPARTURE
CHARGE USD 250.00 FOR REISSUE/REVALIDATION.
CHILD/INFANT DISCOUNTS APPLY.
WAIVED FOR DEATH OF PASSENGER OR FAMILY MEMBER.
NOTE -
BEFORE DEPARTURE OF JOURNEY - FOR O/B CHANGE
THE NEW BASE FARE AMOUNT MUST BE
RECALCULATED USING CURRENT AND APPLICABLE FARES IN
EFFECT AT THE DATE OF ISSUANCE. CHARGE DIFFERENCE
IN FARE PLUS CHANGE FEE. CHANGE FEE IS SUBJECT TO
EACH CHANGE TRANSACTION.
------------------------------------------------
BEFORE DEPARTURE OF JOURNEY - FOR I/B CHANGE
THE NEW BASE FARE AMOUNT MUST BE RECALCULATED
USING HISTORICAL AND APPLICABLE FARES IN EFFECT
AT THE ORIGINAL TICKET DATE. CHARGE DIFFERENCE
IN FARE PLUS CHANGE FEE. CHANGE FEE IS SUBJECT TO
EACH CHANGE TRANSACTION.
-------------------------------------------------
NEW FARE AMOUNT MAY BE LOWER/EQUAL OR HIGHER THAN
ORIGINAL FARE. IF NEW FARE IS LOWER THAN ORIGINAL
FARE-NO REFUND PERMITTED. THE RESIDUAL AMOUNT IS
FORFEIT.
-------------------------------------------------
CHANGES NOT PERMITTED IN CASE OF NO SHOWS -
REFER TO CANCELLATION PENALTY.
IN THE EVENT OF A DOMESTIC/TRANSBORDER AND
INTERNATIONAL AC FARE COMBINATION - INTERNATIONAL
RULE PROVISION FOR CHANGE AND CANCELLATION WILL
APPLY.
AFTER DEPARTURE
CHARGE USD 250.00 FOR REISSUE/REVALIDATION.
CHILD/INFANT DISCOUNTS APPLY.
WAIVED FOR DEATH OF PASSENGER OR FAMILY MEMBER.
NOTE -
AFTER DEPARTURE OF JOURNEY
THE NEW BASE FARE AMOUNT MUST BE RECALCULATED
USING HISTORICAL AND APPLICABLE FARES IN EFFECT
AT THE ORIGINAL TICKET DATE. CHARGE DIFFERENCE
IN FARE PLUS CHANGE FEE. CHANGE FEE IS SUBJECT TO
EACH CHANGE TRANSACTION.
------------------------------------------------
NEW FARE AMOUNT MAY BE LOWER/EQUAL OR HIGHER THAN
ORIGINAL FARE. IF NEW FARE IS LOWER THAN ORIGINAL
FARE-NO REFUND PERMITTED. THE RESIDUAL AMOUNT IS
FORFEIT.
-------------------------------------------------
CHANGES NOT PERMITTED IN CASE OF NO SHOWS -
REFER TO CANCELLATION PENALTY.
IN THE EVENT OF A DOMESTIC/TRANSBORDER AND
INTERNATIONAL AC FARE COMBINATION - INTERNATIONAL
RULE PROVISION FOR CHANGE AND CANCELLATION WILL
APPLY.
Endorsements
THE ORIGINAL AND THE REISSUED TICKET MUST BE ANNOTATED -
NONREF/0VALUAFTDPT/CHGFEE - IN THE ENDORSEMENT BOX.
Discounts
ACCOMPANIED CHILD 2-11 - NO DISCOUNT
OR - INFANT UNDER 2 WITH A SEAT - NO DISCOUNT
OR - 1ST INFANT UNDER 2 WITHOUT A SEAT - CHARGE 10 PERCENT
OF THE FARE.
TICKET DESIGNATOR - IN AND PERCENT OF DISCOUNT.
MUST BE ACCOMPANIED ON ALL FLIGHTS IN SAME
COMPARTMENT BY ADULT 18 OR OLDER
OR - UNACCOMPANIED CHILD 5-11 - NO DISCOUNT.
Other Discounts
NOTE -
NO DISCOUNTS APPLY
Miscellaneous Fare Tags
NOTE -
THE CHARGE FOR LOST TICKETS IS AS FOLLOWS--
USD 75.00
CAD 100.00
EUR 100.00
Voluntary changes
IN THE EVENT OF CHANGES TO TICKETED FLIGHTS
BEFORE DEPARTURE OF JOURNEY - APPLIES WITHIN TKT VALIDITY
CERTAIN DOMESTIC REISSUE PROVISIONS MAY BE OVERRIDDEN BY
THOSE OF ANY CARRIERS INTERNATIONAL FARES
CHARGE USD 250.00 OR HIGHEST FEE OF ALL CHANGED FARE
COMPONENTS AND
REPRICE USING CURRENTLY TKTD FARE
PROVIDED ALL OF THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS ARE MET-
1. NO CHANGE TO STOPOVERS AND CONNECTIONS/1ST FLIGHT
COUPON/FARE BREAKS
2. AC FARES ARE USED
3. ALL RULE AND BOOKING CODE PROVISIONS ARE MET
4. ADV RES IS MEASURED FROM ORIGINAL TKT DATE TO
DEPARTURE OF FARE COMPONENT
OR -
REPRICE USING FARES IN EFFECT WHEN TKT WAS ISSUED
PROVIDED ALL OF THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS ARE MET-
1. NO CHANGE TO 1ST FLIGHT COUPON
2. AC FARES ARE USED
3. ALL RULE AND BOOKING CODE PROVISIONS ARE MET
4. ADV RES IS MEASURED FROM ORIGINAL TKT DATE TO
DEPARTURE OF FARE COMPONENT
OR -
REPRICE USING FARES IN EFFECT TODAY
PROVIDED ALL OF THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS ARE MET-
1. AC FARES ARE USED
2. ADV RES IS MEASURED FROM REISSUE DATE TO DEPARTURE
OF FARE COMPONENT
WHEN CHANGE RESULTS IN LOWER FARE IGNORE RESIDUAL THEN
ADD-COLLECT
ENDORSEMENT BOX- HIGHER NON-REF AMOUNT.
OR -
BEFORE DEPARTURE OF JOURNEY - APPLIES WITHIN TKT VALIDITY
CHANGES NOT PERMITTED/REFUND TKT-ANY REMAINING AMT WILL
APPLY TO NEW TKT
PROVIDED ALL OF THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS ARE MET-
1. CHANGE IS AFTER ORIGINAL SCHEDULED FLIGHT.
OR -
BEFORE DEPARTURE OF JOURNEY - APPLIES WITHIN TKT VALIDITY
CHANGES NOT PERMITTED/REFUND TKT-ANY REMAINING AMT WILL
APPLY TO NEW TKT.
OR -
AFTER DEPARTURE OF JOURNEY - APPLIES WITHIN TKT VALIDITY
CERTAIN DOMESTIC REISSUE PROVISIONS MAY BE OVERRIDDEN BY
THOSE OF AC INTERNATIONAL FARES
CHARGE USD 250.00 OR HIGHEST FEE OF ALL CHANGED FARE
COMPONENTS - CATEGORY 19 DISCOUNTS APPLY AND
REPRICE USING CURRENTLY TKTD FARE
PROVIDED ALL OF THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS ARE MET-
1. NO CHANGE TO STOPOVERS AND CONNECTIONS/1ST FLIGHT
COUPON/FARE BREAKS
2. FULLY FLOWN FARE NOT REPRICED TO FURTHER POINT
3. AC FARES ARE USED
4. ALL RULE AND BOOKING CODE PROVISIONS ARE MET
5. ADV RES IS MEASURED FROM ORIGINAL TKT DATE TO
DEPARTURE OF FARE COMPONENT
OR -
REPRICE USING FARES IN EFFECT WHEN TKT WAS ISSUED
PROVIDED ALL OF THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS ARE MET-
1. FULLY FLOWN FARE NOT REPRICED TO FURTHER POINT
2. AC FARES ARE USED
3. ALL RULE AND BOOKING CODE PROVISIONS ARE MET
4. ADV RES IS MEASURED FROM ORIGINAL TKT DATE TO
DEPARTURE OF FARE COMPONENT
WHEN CHANGE RESULTS IN LOWER FARE IGNORE RESIDUAL THEN
ADD-COLLECT
ENDORSEMENT BOX- HIGHER NON-REF AMOUNT.
Application
AC TRANSATLANTIC ROUNDTRIP STRUCTURE FARES FROM AREA 1
TO AREA 2/3.
APPLICATION
AREA
THESE FARES APPLY
FROM AREA 1 TO AREA 2/AREA 3.
CLASS OF SERVICE
THESE FARES APPLY FOR ECONOMY CLASS SERVICE.
TYPES OF TRANSPORTATION
THIS RULE GOVERNS ROUND-TRIP FARES.
FARES GOVERNED BY THIS RULE CAN BE USED TO CREATE
ROUND-TRIP/CIRCLE-TRIP/OPEN-JAW JOURNEYS.
CAPACITY LIMITATIONS
THE CARRIER SHALL LIMIT THE NUMBER OF PASSENGERS CARRIED
ON ANY ONE FLIGHT AT FARES GOVERNED BY THIS RULE AND SUCH
FARES WILL NOT NECESSARILY BE AVAILABLE ON ALL FLIGHTS.
THE NUMBER OF SEATS WHICH THE CARRIER SHALL MAKE
AVAILABLE ON A GIVEN FLIGHT WILL BE DETERMINED BY THE
CARRIERS BEST JUDGMENT

Itinerary

Hartford (BDL) to London (LHR) - Sat, Jul 28
Hartford (BDL) to Toronto (YYZ) - Sat, Jul 28
Air Canada 7427 Dep:.7:00AM Arr:.9:00AM 2h 0m Beech 1900 Economy.(S) .
OPERATED BY AIR CANADA EXPRESS - AIR GEORGIAN Layover in YYZ 22h 0m .
.
Toronto (YYZ) to Montreal (YUL) - Sun, Jul 29
Air Canada 400 Dep:.7:00AM Arr:.8:13AM 1h 13m Airbus A321 Economy.(S) .
Layover in YUL 12h 32m .
.
Montreal (YUL) to Geneva (GVA) - Sun, Jul 29
Air Canada 830 Dep:.8:45PM Arr:.10:00AM 7h 15m Boeing 767 Economy.(S) .
Layover in GVA Mon, Jul 30 21h 10m .
.
Geneva (GVA) to Barcelona (BCN) - Tue, Jul 31
Swiss International Airlines 1940 Dep:.7:10AM Arr:.8:30AM 1h 20m Airbus A320 Economy.(S) .
Layover in BCN 21h 45m .
.
Barcelona (BCN) to Munich (MUC) - Wed, Aug 1
Lufthansa 1819 Dep:.6:15AM Arr:.8:15AM 2h 0m Airbus A319 Economy.(H) .
Layover in MUC 13h 10m .
.
Munich (MUC) to London (LHR) - Wed, Aug 1
Lufthansa 2484 Dep:.9:25PM Arr:.10:30PM 2h 5m Airbus A319 Economy.(H) .
.
.
London (LHR) to Hartford (BDL) - Sun, Aug 19
London (LHR) to Washington (IAD) - Sun, Aug 19
Lufthansa 9226 Dep:.7:55AM Arr:.11:04AM 8h 9m Boeing 767 Economy.(H) .
OPERATED BY UNITED Layover in IAD 1h 10m .
.
Washington (IAD) to Hartford (BDL) - Sun, Aug 19
United 3782 Dep:.12:14PM Arr:.1:32PM 1h 18m Canadair RJ 700 Economy.(H) .
OPERATED BY MESA AIRLINES DBA UNITED EXPRESS .
Cost per passenger (including taxes & fees) $1,867.60
Total cost for 1 passenger $1,867.60
.
How to buy this ticket
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Provide this information to a travel agent to help them match the fares found.
Make sure to provide the exact booking and fare codes shown.
Fare 1: Carrier AC SHX6NCE HFD to BCN (rules)
Passenger type ADT, round trip fare, booking code S
Covers BDL-YYZ (Economy), YYZ-YUL (Economy), YUL-GVA (Economy), GVA-BCN (Economy)
$348.50
Fare 2: Carrier LH HHW2RCE BCN to HFD (rules)
Passenger type ADT, round trip fare, booking code H
Covers BCN-MUC (Economy), MUC-LHR (Economy), LHR-IAD (Economy), IAD-BDL (Economy)
$718.50
German Passenger Service Charge (RA) $20.40
Spanish Airport Services Charge (JD) $8.70
Spanish Security Tax (QV) $2.80
Swiss Airport Passenger Security & Noise Charge (CH) $16.40
(YQ) $238.00
Toronto Airport Improvement Fee (SQ) $24.60
Canadian Harmonized Sales Tax (ON) (RC) $3.20
Canadian Air Travelers Security Charge (CA) $25.50
US International Departure Tax (US) $16.70
US September 11th Security Fee (AY) $5.00
US Passenger Facility Charge (XF) $9.00
LH YQ surcharge (YQ) $238.00
USDA APHIS Fee (XA) $5.00
US Immigration Fee (XY) $7.00
US Customs Fee (YC) $5.50
United Kingdom Air Passengers Duty (GB) $102.90
United Kingdom Passenger Service Charge (UB) $55.20
US International Arrival Tax (US) $16.70
.
Subtotal per passenger $1,867.60
Number of passengers x1
.
TOTAL AIRFARE & TAXES $1,867.60
This ticket is non-refundable.
Changes to this ticket will incur a penalty fee.
Fare construction (can be useful to travel agents)
BDL AC X/YTO AC X/YMQ AC X/GVA LX X/BCN 348.50SHX6NCE LH X/MUC LH LON S100.00 LH X/WAS UA BDL 618.50HHW2RCE NUC 1067.00 END ROE 1.00 XT 5.50YC 7.00XY 5.00XA 33.40US 5.00AY 25.50CA 3.20RC 24.60SQ 16.40CH 8.70JD 2.80QV 20.40RA 102.90GB 55.20UB 476.00YQ 9.00XF BDL4.50 IAD4.50
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Your TATL return on a LH flight operated by UA does not meet this rule

Thanks. That fare rule was for the BDL to LHR legs of the trip. Would that apply to the return too?