United (Air Canada): YVR-TPE Business/Polaris $2,000
Apr 26, 2018, 7:23 am
#16
Join Date: Sep 2005
Programs: AC MM E50 , Former SPG, now Marriott LT Plat
Posts: 6,261
Not bad, but certainly not great. Where do you see better pricing than that?
Apr 26, 2018, 8:14 am
#17
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,406
Apr 26, 2018, 8:26 am
#18
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: NYC
Programs: UA-1K MM, AA-Gold, DL-Silver, AS-MVP
Posts: 2,508
Code:
PERMITTED 22JUN 18 THROUGH 04SEP 18 OR 15DEC 18 THROUGH 10JAN 19 OR 01FEB 19 THROUGH 28FEB 19 ON THE OUTBOUND TRANSPACIFIC SECTOR.
Apr 26, 2018, 10:04 am
#19
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 25
I'd classify this more as "up in the air." UA only has something like 3 routes listed for the 77W post-Oct., despite having 17 or 18 of them at the time. And they've got the first 772 retrofit in service and are planning to have them updated at a rate of about 3 per month by the summer.
In other words, no promises, but there's at least a decent chance you'd get the new seat on SFO-TPE even beyond mid-October. However, SFO-HKG is one of the routes that's still listed for the 77W, and you can route this fare via HKG (then HX to TPE), so that's an option too.
Also, @markmho: This fare allows one stopover in each direction in Area 3 for C$100 and has a 12-hour minimum turnaround time at the destination. So, if you're willing to spend the night in TPE, you shouldn't need to purchase a TPE-HKG ticket separately. Now, having said that, I've had a difficult time getting this to price properly -- it kept adding a stop in NRT in order to get the lower fare -- but it finally worked when I forced the fare. You might be able to get UA to price it if you call them and feed them the fare information, or perhaps you can get it to come up on an OTA.
Results
In other words, no promises, but there's at least a decent chance you'd get the new seat on SFO-TPE even beyond mid-October. However, SFO-HKG is one of the routes that's still listed for the 77W, and you can route this fare via HKG (then HX to TPE), so that's an option too.
Also, @markmho: This fare allows one stopover in each direction in Area 3 for C$100 and has a 12-hour minimum turnaround time at the destination. So, if you're willing to spend the night in TPE, you shouldn't need to purchase a TPE-HKG ticket separately. Now, having said that, I've had a difficult time getting this to price properly -- it kept adding a stop in NRT in order to get the lower fare -- but it finally worked when I forced the fare. You might be able to get UA to price it if you call them and feed them the fare information, or perhaps you can get it to come up on an OTA.
Results
Thanks Jason!! This is very helpful. it makes the deal more applicable to me now.
Do you mind if I ask what tool you used to generate these results? expertflyer?
Last edited by markmho; Apr 26, 2018 at 10:14 am
Apr 26, 2018, 10:15 am
#20
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Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,406
The screenshots are from matrix.itasoftware.com. I used ExpertFlyer to look up the fare rules so I would know what to ask the ITA Matrix for, but ExpertFlyer doesn't include a pricing engine, so I use the Matrix to see if it would auto-price. In this case, I had to force the fare -- that's what the f ua.YVR+TPE.PKX4WDM1 command does. (If the fare didn't work for that itinerary, it'd return a 'no results found' message). Put together, this search says "find me flights from YVR to HKG, then from HKG to TPE, and then from TPE to YVR, all of which use the UA fare PKX4WDM1 filed between YVR and TPE."
Apr 26, 2018, 10:33 am
#21
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 25
Happy to help. The screenshots are from matrix.itasoftware.com. I used ExpertFlyer to look up the fare rules so I would know what to ask the ITA Matrix for, but ExpertFlyer doesn't include a pricing engine, so I use the Matrix to see if it would auto-price. In this case, I had to force the fare -- that's what the f ua.YVR+TPE.PKX4WDM1 command does. (If the fare didn't work for that itinerary, it'd return a 'no results found' message). Put together, this search says "find me flights from YVR to HKG, then from HKG to TPE, and then from TPE to YVR, all of which use the UA fare PKX4WDM1 filed between YVR and TPE."
The screenshots are from matrix.itasoftware.com. I used ExpertFlyer to look up the fare rules so I would know what to ask the ITA Matrix for, but ExpertFlyer doesn't include a pricing engine, so I use the Matrix to see if it would auto-price. In this case, I had to force the fare -- that's what the f ua.YVR+TPE.PKX4WDM1 command does. (If the fare didn't work for that itinerary, it'd return a 'no results found' message). Put together, this search says "find me flights from YVR to HKG, then from HKG to TPE, and then from TPE to YVR, all of which use the UA fare PKX4WDM1 filed between YVR and TPE."It would be nice if the return flight could be HKG - YVR just like the first leg, but I guess it would have to hit TPE at some point to active the farecode. Because now I need to get a round trip tix SFO - YVR. I will have check bags and I dont think I can short check to SFO on the way back. But this is a good example for me to get into the game. I don't travel that often as you guys I guess, only couple times a year and mainly international. But it feels good if I can help out fellow FTers or friends like you do to me.
Apr 26, 2018, 10:47 am
#22
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: NYC
Programs: UA-1K MM, AA-Gold, DL-Silver, AS-MVP
Posts: 2,508
Because now I need to get a round trip tix SFO - YVR. I will have check bags and I dont think I can short check to SFO on the way back. But this is a good example for me to get into the game. I don't travel that often as you guys I guess, only couple times a year and mainly international. But it feels good if I can help out fellow FTers or friends like you do to me.
Apr 26, 2018, 11:07 am
#23
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 25
I was able to replicate the booking that Jsloan gave. But do you know how I can alter that to make the last leg on AC?
On the side note, I'm actually also planning to spend couple days in Japan(KIX ideally), not sure if I can leverage this deal.
This is my tentative schedule.
12/19/2018: YVR - SFO - HKG
12/21 - 12/26: Planing to spend couple days during this period in Japan
1/5/2019: HKG - TPE
1/7/2019: TPE-SFO-YVR
Thanks in advance!
Apr 26, 2018, 11:26 am
#24
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 25
This is very good to know! it will make the situation a lot easier.
I was able to replicate the booking that Jsloan gave. But do you know how I can alter that to make the last leg on AC?
On the side note, I'm actually also planning to spend couple days in Japan(KIX ideally), not sure if I can leverage this deal.
This is my tentative schedule.
12/19/2018: YVR - SFO - HKG
12/21 - 12/26: Planing to spend couple days during this period in Japan
1/5/2019: HKG - TPE
1/7/2019: TPE-SFO-YVR
Thanks in advance!
I was able to replicate the booking that Jsloan gave. But do you know how I can alter that to make the last leg on AC?
On the side note, I'm actually also planning to spend couple days in Japan(KIX ideally), not sure if I can leverage this deal.
This is my tentative schedule.
12/19/2018: YVR - SFO - HKG
12/21 - 12/26: Planing to spend couple days during this period in Japan
1/5/2019: HKG - TPE
1/7/2019: TPE-SFO-YVR
Thanks in advance!
Apr 26, 2018, 11:39 am
#25
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: YYZ
Programs: UA1K MM, JL JMB SAPPHIRE, Marriott Titanium/LTP, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,267
Seems AA already matched with fare rule IKX48DN1, same price CAD2530 from YYZ or CAD2250 from YVR.
Sample:
One can issue this ticket in CX stock to get tons of EQD, 24% of distance flown?
Sample:
Code:
AL FLGT BK DATE TIME FARE BASIS NVB NVA BG
YTO
XDFW AA 1169 I 02JUL 0700 IKX48DN1 02JAN 2P
XHKG AA 125 I 02JUL 1050 IKX48DN1 02JAN 2P
TPE CX 470 I 03JUL 1745 IKX48DN1 02JAN 2P
XHKG CX 469 I 09JUL 1000 IKX48DN1 02JAN 2P
XDFW AA 126 I 09JUL 1430 IKX48DN1 02JAN 2P
YTO AA 2804 I 09JUL 1826 IKX48DN1 02JAN 2P
CAD 2626.00 02JUL18YTO AA X/E/DFW Q15.00AA X/HKG Q
USD 2046.00 33.00CX TPE M1265.00CX X/HKG AA X/E/DFW Q
USD 20.19CA 33.00AA YTO Q15.00 M1265.00CAD2626.00END
USD 11.30YC XT USD 7.92XA USD 14.00XY USD 28.68YR USD
USD 160.02XT 2.53RC USD 19.48SQ USD 11.20AY USD 43.33G3
USD 2237.51 USD 11.48I5 USD 16.90TW USD 4.50XF DFW4.50
Last edited by gokeeper; Apr 26, 2018 at 12:18 pm
Apr 26, 2018, 12:03 pm
#26
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: DTW
Programs: TK E+, WY, Radisson R
Posts: 2,360
At the moment CA also has great fares ex-YYZ to PVG/SHA/FOC/CAN (PEK-SHA can be on 748 front or upper deck).
Just booked YYZ-Shanghai for $2000 USD for June 2018, exchange rate has been slightly more favorable for USD at the moment.
Just booked YYZ-Shanghai for $2000 USD for June 2018, exchange rate has been slightly more favorable for USD at the moment.
Apr 26, 2018, 12:29 pm
#27
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: LAX/TPE
Programs: United 1K, JAL Sapphire, SPG Lifetime Platinum, National Executive Elite, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 42,203
I had this TPE deal booked, but since my final destination is actually HKG, and I wanted a couple days in Tokyo on the way home, I ended up canceling and booking California-HKG in W with a GPU and then P on the way home from NRT back to California and left YVR off completely for just a little more than this original ticket plus my TPE-HKG-TPE ticket and extra hotel nights. Glad to see the fare may be around until Sept because I know I will need to go back to TPE anyway and I'll just do the whole thing via YVR since it's very cheap and easy to fly SFO-YVR then back to LAX the same day.
This fare pops up rather frequently during the year and because of it, I left 6 GPUs on the table last year, unused!
Apr 26, 2018, 1:13 pm
#28
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,406
This is very good to know! it will make the situation a lot easier.
I was able to replicate the booking that Jsloan gave. But do you know how I can alter that to make the last leg on AC?
On the side note, I'm actually also planning to spend couple days in Japan(KIX ideally), not sure if I can leverage this deal.
This is my tentative schedule.
12/19/2018: YVR - SFO - HKG
12/21 - 12/26: Planing to spend couple days during this period in Japan
1/5/2019: HKG - TPE
1/7/2019: TPE-SFO-YVR
Thanks in advance!
I was able to replicate the booking that Jsloan gave. But do you know how I can alter that to make the last leg on AC?
On the side note, I'm actually also planning to spend couple days in Japan(KIX ideally), not sure if I can leverage this deal.
This is my tentative schedule.
12/19/2018: YVR - SFO - HKG
12/21 - 12/26: Planing to spend couple days during this period in Japan
1/5/2019: HKG - TPE
1/7/2019: TPE-SFO-YVR
Thanks in advance!
Note that you should be allowed a 24 hour transfer at SFO on the way back. In the case of an overnight transfer, UA would short-check your bag per policy. It won't make much difference, since you can claim-and-walk-away anyhow, but it might make you feel better.
One thing to keep in mind when considering hidden-city ticketing is that UA doesn't have an obligation to deliver you to SFO, but rather to YVR. This is most relevant if there is IRROPS -- a bad storm or mechanical delay or something. UA would be justified in putting you on an AC flight to YVR, since that's your ticketed destination. I'm not saying it will necessarily happen, but it's a potential risk that you should weigh against everything else. Adding the overnight transfer may confuse UA's systems into treating SFO as a stopover -- even though it technically isn't -- and may prevent reroutings that you won't particularly want.
Apr 26, 2018, 2:12 pm
#29
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 25
You could potentially go YVR - SFO - KIX, then KIX - TPE (overnight) - HKG, then HKG-SFO-YVR. This works because you're taking a stopover in each direction (considering TPE to be the "destination"). You won't be able to go to HKG before and after KIX.
Note that you should be allowed a 24 hour transfer at SFO on the way back. In the case of an overnight transfer, UA would short-check your bag per policy. It won't make much difference, since you can claim-and-walk-away anyhow, but it might make you feel better.
One thing to keep in mind when considering hidden-city ticketing is that UA doesn't have an obligation to deliver you to SFO, but rather to YVR. This is most relevant if there is IRROPS -- a bad storm or mechanical delay or something. UA would be justified in putting you on an AC flight to YVR, since that's your ticketed destination. I'm not saying it will necessarily happen, but it's a potential risk that you should weigh against everything else. Adding the overnight transfer may confuse UA's systems into treating SFO as a stopover -- even though it technically isn't -- and may prevent reroutings that you won't particularly want.
Note that you should be allowed a 24 hour transfer at SFO on the way back. In the case of an overnight transfer, UA would short-check your bag per policy. It won't make much difference, since you can claim-and-walk-away anyhow, but it might make you feel better.
One thing to keep in mind when considering hidden-city ticketing is that UA doesn't have an obligation to deliver you to SFO, but rather to YVR. This is most relevant if there is IRROPS -- a bad storm or mechanical delay or something. UA would be justified in putting you on an AC flight to YVR, since that's your ticketed destination. I'm not saying it will necessarily happen, but it's a potential risk that you should weigh against everything else. Adding the overnight transfer may confuse UA's systems into treating SFO as a stopover -- even though it technically isn't -- and may prevent reroutings that you won't particularly want.
I tried to generate a tix base on what you recommended but it doesn't work. Could you please help me take a look if I miss anything? Thanks Jsloan!
Apr 26, 2018, 2:29 pm
#30
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: PHX
Posts: 4,787
Seems AA already matched with fare rule IKX48DN1, same price CAD2530 from YYZ or CAD2250 from YVR.
Sample:
One can issue this ticket in CX stock to get tons of EQD, 24% of distance flown?
Sample:
Code:
AL FLGT BK DATE TIME FARE BASIS NVB NVA BG YTO XDFW AA 1169 I 02JUL 0700 IKX48DN1 02JAN 2P XHKG AA 125 I 02JUL 1050 IKX48DN1 02JAN 2P TPE CX 470 I 03JUL 1745 IKX48DN1 02JAN 2P XHKG CX 469 I 09JUL 1000 IKX48DN1 02JAN 2P XDFW AA 126 I 09JUL 1430 IKX48DN1 02JAN 2P YTO AA 2804 I 09JUL 1826 IKX48DN1 02JAN 2P CAD 2626.00 02JUL18YTO AA X/E/DFW Q15.00AA X/HKG Q USD 2046.00 33.00CX TPE M1265.00CX X/HKG AA X/E/DFW Q USD 20.19CA 33.00AA YTO Q15.00 M1265.00CAD2626.00END USD 11.30YC XT USD 7.92XA USD 14.00XY USD 28.68YR USD USD 160.02XT 2.53RC USD 19.48SQ USD 11.20AY USD 43.33G3 USD 2237.51 USD 11.48I5 USD 16.90TW USD 4.50XF DFW4.50
One can issue this ticket in CX stock to get tons of EQD, 24% of distance flown?