thanks I appreciate the input. Like I said, very helpful. If this does not work I may turn it into an MR by flying to another city from NYC and flying to JAX from wher ethe prices are reasonable.

This is just a guess, but I assume the only way to break married segment pairs with a TA would be if they entered each segment separately and manually priced the fare?

Cheers

Pricing isn't a matter at all here. The problem is the sytem won't yield confirmations for all segments if agents input each segment separately. Pricing, whether auto or manual, is possible only after a reservation is completely finished.

Sure, you could throw away the last segment. Just make sure that the airline short checks any checked baggage you may have to EWR. Also, you may want to just check-in as far as EWR and make up some excuse saying that you're going to meet up with a friend there and will check-in again with him at that time.

Yes, there is a way for TAs to get around it which I won't get into. It is definitely against airlines rules and there is nowhere to hide if audited (It will all be documented in PNR history). The TAs who would do it are betting that the PNR won't get audited, or he/she is leaving the agency soon. :D The audits may only happen several months down the road. :D

The system will perform an availability check for all married segments when you try to END (save) the PNR. It doesn't matter how the segments where entered. You will not be able to END the PNR if there are no availabilities in some married segments. You will get an error message. :(

This makes sense and seems consistent with what I've experienced recently.

Here's my question. ITA seems to be the best tool around for digging up cheap fares with my desired connections when I'm building an MR. But it seems like its weakness is that it often ignores these married segments. In other words, it can come up with all sorts of fabulous MR routings that it tells you are available, but when it comes time to book, married segment availability will sneak up on you, and it won't let you END the PNR.

So, I'm wondering if there's a more efficient way for me to go about constructing my MRs so that I can avoid these surprise married segments. Is there any way to anticipate which segments might be married so I don't get into this problem in the first place?

As far as I know, the system automatically checks for married segments everytime when agent enters another segment. At least that's my understanding of Apollo, and the OP is discussing about UA's itinerary here.

Let's say, PVD-JFK-LAX-OAK.
PVD-JFK check
PVD-JFK-LAX check
PVD-JFK-LAX-OAK check

If you try to make a reservation by putting fare break at each point, that will be certainly possible like another FTer mentioned. However, you know what will happen to fare in this case.

Tango, as the OP is talking about UA, you must know that UA has been for decades, the toughest on enforcement of any US airline on agency abuse. Your statement is very false. If what you are saying is that a large agency that practices decipetive or fraudulant practices is forgiven due to volumes, you should ask many agencies that have had their plates pulled. An agency that can deliver volumes to an airline needs that airline more than any airline needs one agency. Look at the airlines that have pulled off of hotwire/priceline (bigger than 99% of agencies.)

Breaking Married Segments
 

Hello All , i am new in this forum and i can see this is one of the best site to discuss about traveling and booking guidelines, i wonder if there is any method available which shows how to break married segments , i have searched so many forums but non explains how to break them so is there any professional agent in this forum who explaing step by stem instructions on breaking segments with klm air francs or other air lines from montreal to bombay or delhi....any help will be greatly appriciated..Thanks and keep it up.