UA cheaper than NW?
Sep 11, 2000 | 5:58 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Sugar Land,Texas USA
Posts: 4,889
UA cheaper than NW?
I did a ITIN check from IAH-PEK on NW and found IAH-DTW-PEK at a price of $1200 the same ITIN with UA which is IAH-SFO-PEK gives only $867 with return route as PEK-SFO-LAX-IAH 
which I tried to avoid. Does anyone know why the UA's itin is so much cheaper than NWA's? Is it because of time of getting back since DTW is 1 hr ahead of IAH and LAX is 2 hours behind therefore delaying time of getting home signaficantly?
thanks.
which I tried to avoid. Does anyone know why the UA's itin is so much cheaper than NWA's? Is it because of time of getting back since DTW is 1 hr ahead of IAH and LAX is 2 hours behind therefore delaying time of getting home signaficantly?thanks.
Sep 11, 2000 | 6:59 pm
#2
Join Date: May 2000
Location: IAD/DCA/BWI
Programs: SQ, LH, AMEX, Citi, Cap1
Posts: 4,113
That's one reason. But, more importantly: because NW can. If they can fill up their economy seats at $1200 given UA's $800 price, they NW will charge it.
So then, how much do you value the extra stopover and time vs. stopping in DTW?
- Pat
So then, how much do you value the extra stopover and time vs. stopping in DTW?
- Pat
Sep 11, 2000 | 7:59 pm
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Sugar Land,Texas USA
Posts: 4,889
Good points! Howerver I do not think that UA's cheap price is due to the labor disbutes since all routes from the Westcoast is generally cheaper. I don't know about the services of the UA, NW's service is sub-par on the DTW-PEK route. My Dad flies from IAH-DTW-PEK all the time and now he is thinking to quit using NW and start using UA. If he is thinking of moving, I think everyone will have to think, since he spends most of his time flying throughout the year!
Another reason for the West-coast is my brother works in SF so it is cool to stay over there. I don't know how much it would be if I stay in SF for a couple of days then continue on my long journey.
Al
Another reason for the West-coast is my brother works in SF so it is cool to stay over there. I don't know how much it would be if I stay in SF for a couple of days then continue on my long journey.
Al
Sep 11, 2000 | 8:10 pm
#5
Join Date: May 1999
Location: Madison, WI, USA; NW Platinum, Marriott Silver, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Platinum
Posts: 938
Try checking the fare at Travelocity without specifying dates to get the lowest fares from IAH to PEK. Cheapest is at 619/649/729/769, then Korean Air at 699/779, then Continental, Northwest and American all at 768, an finally UAL at 800. Maybe it's the dates you were using???
Sep 11, 2000 | 9:53 pm
#6
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: Ashburn, VA (IAD/DCA/BWI)
Posts: 2,757
Have you tried any Chinese-American TA? I bet they can come up with better price.
Usually Korean/Japanese/Chinese TAs can always come up with better price (consolidator) if you don't care about upgrade (using miles)...
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Usually Korean/Japanese/Chinese TAs can always come up with better price (consolidator) if you don't care about upgrade (using miles)...
------------------
For money savings ideas & tips check & FF miles bonus for finance & auto buying check out ValueConsumer.com