UAL: ORD-HEL First $3999 ai

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Jun 29, 15, 9:39 pm

tomwht

Original Poster

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UAL: ORD-HEL First $3999 ai

This may not be entirely new, but it surprised me that the fare to HEL in F was so much cheaper than to ARN. The F base fare ORD-HEL is $2992; the F base fare to ARN is $5367. Why the big difference? Fare is good to end of October. My route takes me through IAD where I will be on LH's 747-8. My return will be on the LH A388, FRA-IAH. I chose seat 1A on both flights.

The fare code is DRCUP86E. So, I guess it is a business class fare with an upgrade to First.

Jun 30, 15, 6:41 am

SFO777

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Quote:

Originally Posted by tomwht

This may not be entirely new, but it surprised me that the fare to HEL in F was so much cheaper than to ARN. The F base fare ORD-HEL is $2992; the F base fare to ARN is $5367. Why the big difference? Fare is good to end of October. My route takes me through IAD where I will be on LH's 747-8. My return will be on the LH A388, FRA-IAH. I chose seat 1A on both flights.
The fare code is DRCUP86E. So, I guess it is a business class fare with an upgrade to First.

Nice find and great routing. Seems to be an ex-ORD only sale. Books into A (discounted First) but still earns 300% M&M status miles and RDMs. That fare or some reasonably close to it is also available ex-ORD to select other European cities including Paris for $4,394. I've started a new thread for the CDG fare.

Jun 30, 15, 7:52 am

UAL250

Join Date: Jul 2011

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Great find OP

Jul 1, 15, 2:02 pm

NA-Flyer

Join Date: Dec 2007

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Programs: BA, AA, SQ, UA, LH, MR TIT, IHG GLD

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Is it possible to book this fare on the non stop LH ORD-FRA flight?

Jul 1, 15, 3:14 pm

Calchas

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Join Date: Mar 2013

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Quote:

Originally Posted by tomwht

HEL is a oneworld hub (for AY).

STO has no major competitors.

(I know AY has no F, so it is not a complete explanation.)

Jul 1, 15, 6:24 pm

cheltzel

Join Date: Apr 2010

Location: ORD

Programs: AA, UA, GE

Posts: 4,076

Quote:

Originally Posted by NA-Flyer

Is it possible to book this fare on the non stop LH ORD-FRA flight?

I was able to see it in F on the LH site for less than $4000 on all LH metal (either via FRA or MUC).

Jul 4, 15, 10:49 am

MrOCTeckels

Join Date: Mar 2012

Location: SEA

Programs: UA 1k MM, AS Newbie, HH Dia

Posts: 337

Great find tomwht! Booked a October trip that I needed to take for just a bit more than a B fare.

One direction was PHL-FRA on LH. I was surprised I didn't need to connect to HEL, CDG, or another OW hub.

Jul 4, 15, 1:13 pm

NA-Flyer

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Quote:

Originally Posted by cheltzel

I was able to see it in F on the LH site for less than $4000 on all LH metal (either via FRA or MUC).

Is it possible to book this fare with a little detour via IAH flying LH A380 metal on the IAH-FRA-IAH sectors?

Jul 4, 15, 2:16 pm

TheBOSman

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Quote:

Originally Posted by NA-Flyer

Is it possible to book this fare with a little detour via IAH flying LH A380 metal on the IAH-FRA-IAH sectors?

Somewhat surprisingly, yes. Not too many dates available though in October when I checked, but it is out there. One example below, though I would recommend overnighting in FRA on the return so you can get the FCT experience (and even with the connecting to F and assured that LH would probably just limo you direct from the HEL-FRA right to security and then right to FRA-IAH, I'd still rather leisurely enjoy the FCT in the morning instead of a 60 minute connection at FRA). But then again I would probably just fly back on a different plane, 747-8 is nice too. Sadly, the 747-400 is down to only 5 planes with F seats, and it isn't being sold as F so I'm guessing no F service (flying on routes where only business and economy tickets are being sold).

Code:

	
Chicago (ORD) to Helsinki (HEL) — Sat, Oct 24
Long layoverOvernight flightPreferred cabin is not available on some flights.
	
Chicago (ORD) to Houston (IAH) — Sat, Oct 24
United 374
Dep: 11:05 am
Arr: 1:48 pm
2h 43m
Boeing 767
First (A)
Lunch
Layover in IAH
2h 2m
	
Houston (IAH) to Frankfurt (FRA) — Sat, Oct 24
United 8867
Dep: 3:50 pm
Arr: 7:40 am
9h 50m
Airbus A380
First (A)
Meal
OPERATED BY LUFTHANSA
Layover in FRA
Sun, Oct 25
2h 10m
	
Frankfurt (FRA) to Helsinki (HEL) — Sun, Oct 25
United 8735
Dep: 9:50 am
Arr: 1:15 pm
2h 25m
Airbus A320
Business (D)
Cold Meal
OPERATED BY LUFTHANSA



Helsinki (HEL) to Chicago (ORD) — Fri, Oct 30

	
Helsinki (HEL) to Frankfurt (FRA) — Fri, Oct 30
United 9047
Dep: 7:00 am
Arr: 8:50 am
2h 50m
Airbus A320
Business (D)
Breakfast
OPERATED BY LUFTHANSA
Layover in FRA
1h 0m
	
Frankfurt (FRA) to Houston (IAH) — Fri, Oct 30
United 8866
Dep: 9:50 am
Arr: 3:05 pm
11h 15m
Airbus A380
First (A)
Meal
OPERATED BY LUFTHANSA
Layover in IAH
1h 25m
	
Houston (IAH) to Chicago (ORD) — Fri, Oct 30
United 1195
Dep: 4:30 pm
Arr: 7:08 pm
2h 38m
Boeing 737
First (A)
Dinner
Mileage
14,196 total miles

Cost per passenger (including taxes & fees)
$3,981.00
Total cost for 1 passenger
$3,981.00