Feb 28, 2021, 12:23 pm
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
Archive thread, active thread is
Consolidated "Why is this UA fare so expensive?" thread
Potential reasons for high fares
-- the lower fare classes are sold out
-- the lower fare classes are not available due to fare rule restrictions
..... day of the week travel restrictions, Saturday night stay requirement, minimum stay requirement, advance purchase requirements, ...
-- desired fares are not combinable
-- discount fares not available for one-ways, only roundtrips Why are international OWs so expensive, such high fare classes?
-- discount inventory for codeshare marketing airline is gone, but flight operator may have discount fare (or the reverse)
-- Plating -- airlines restrict the best fare to their ticket stock, meaning ticketing that flight on another ticket stock will be more expensive
-- Airline is figuring it will still sell (due to last minute purchases0 even if the competition is lower earlier. Such as peak leisure periods or special events.
-- Airline is placing a premium on non-stop (monopoly?) versus alternative connecting routings
If you find an expensive flight, start by checking the fare class and compare to the less expensive option -- that generally will explain a lot.
Consolidated "Why is this UA fare so expensive?" thread
Potential reasons for high fares
-- the lower fare classes are sold out
-- the lower fare classes are not available due to fare rule restrictions
..... day of the week travel restrictions, Saturday night stay requirement, minimum stay requirement, advance purchase requirements, ...
-- desired fares are not combinable
-- discount fares not available for one-ways, only roundtrips Why are international OWs so expensive, such high fare classes?
-- discount inventory for codeshare marketing airline is gone, but flight operator may have discount fare (or the reverse)
-- Plating -- airlines restrict the best fare to their ticket stock, meaning ticketing that flight on another ticket stock will be more expensive
-- Airline is figuring it will still sell (due to last minute purchases0 even if the competition is lower earlier. Such as peak leisure periods or special events.
-- Airline is placing a premium on non-stop (monopoly?) versus alternative connecting routings
If you find an expensive flight, start by checking the fare class and compare to the less expensive option -- that generally will explain a lot.
Consolidated "Why is this fare so expensive?" Thread [Archive]
Jan 19, 2012, 2:42 pm
#16
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Denver, CO USA
Programs: UA-Gold, 1MM, Marriott Gold, Global Entry
Posts: 1,086
Where would they stop for fuel with their all-737 fleet?
The problem with AS and these non-hub flights is they can be short-lived. AS had a very strong network from the Bay Area to Mexico's leisure markets for some time. When the economy tanked and Mexico tourism softened, they cut back substantially and started working on Hawaii.
That's fine if you can jump on a short-term sale every now and then, but if you're looking for long-term fare pressure, who knows what they'll move to next.
I can't count the number of flights they've stopped and started out of the Bay Area over the years. While I applaud them for being nimble and taking risks, for a customer who wants to focus on one (1) carrier and maintain a relationship, they're too all over the place for that.
The problem with AS and these non-hub flights is they can be short-lived. AS had a very strong network from the Bay Area to Mexico's leisure markets for some time. When the economy tanked and Mexico tourism softened, they cut back substantially and started working on Hawaii.
That's fine if you can jump on a short-term sale every now and then, but if you're looking for long-term fare pressure, who knows what they'll move to next.
I can't count the number of flights they've stopped and started out of the Bay Area over the years. While I applaud them for being nimble and taking risks, for a customer who wants to focus on one (1) carrier and maintain a relationship, they're too all over the place for that.
The things I don't know and you graciously point out...Thank you. I had a good laugh when I read your first sentence re: 737's. I enjoyed your insight re: AS as well.
Seems the DEN - HNL fare is holding, The west coast fares fell back to Tuesday levels this afternoon.
Thanks too for moving my thread.
Jan 19, 2012, 3:04 pm
#17
Join Date: May 2006
Location: PHL/EWR
Programs: UA, AA
Posts: 1,821
PIT-EWR on CO is usually $900 for less than 3 days.
PIT-LGA on US is $200
PIT-JFK on B6 is $200
But, the numbers must work for them either in terms of they feel they don't get the NYC O&D for short duration business travel and/or they get enough people who have to go to Jersey and refuse to cross a bridge to make money.
Jan 19, 2012, 4:23 pm
#18
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: LGA/JFK/EWR
Programs: UA 1K1.75MM, Hyatt Globalist, abandoned Marriott LTT (RIP SPG), Hertz PC
Posts: 21,167
Never understood this, because they effectively give up Manhattan traffic for a perceived Northern Jersey captive market.
PIT-EWR on CO is usually $900 for less than 3 days.
PIT-LGA on US is $200
PIT-JFK on B6 is $200
But, the numbers must work for them either in terms of they feel they don't get the NYC O&D for short duration business travel and/or they get enough people who have to go to Jersey and refuse to cross a bridge to make money.
PIT-EWR on CO is usually $900 for less than 3 days.
PIT-LGA on US is $200
PIT-JFK on B6 is $200
But, the numbers must work for them either in terms of they feel they don't get the NYC O&D for short duration business travel and/or they get enough people who have to go to Jersey and refuse to cross a bridge to make money.
Not the end of the world for me to connect in IAD/ORD (from LGA) and pick up extra EQMs.
Jan 22, 2012, 9:07 am
#19
Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: San Francisco, CA, USA
Programs: Hyatt LT Globalist, Marriot LT Titanium, UA 2.4MM, HH Gold, AS MVPG
Posts: 3,400
Ugh. SFO-MIA 2x the fare of DL and AA
What is the deal UA. The fare from any bay area airport to MIa is $580+ on both DL and AA only $280. It's really hard to book UA at these prices. And AA has non-stops. Ugh!
Jan 22, 2012, 10:42 am
#20
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: United 1K, 1M
Posts: 248
The fares and schedules between the west coast and MIA have been a problem for many years. Way back when MIA was a jumping off point for some UA flights to South America, the situation was ok, with even a SFO/MIA nonstop. But when the South American flights were moved to IAD, the service to MIA really took a turn for the worse. Pre the merger you had the choice for flying to ORD or IAD. DEN was just part year. Now with CO on board there are flights to IAH as well. You did pretty well to get the fare you did. I had to pay several hundered more than that for a May rt. I really wish that UACO will start treating MIA as a major destination. I also think UACO could do ok with weekend (Th, Fr, Su, Mo) nonstops to Key West from SFO in a, say, 320, or at least from IAH in a big regional jet.
Jan 22, 2012, 10:58 am
#21
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: SFO/SJC/OAK/STS
Programs: Alaska MVPG, Delta PM, AA EXP, Wannabe SkyWest 1K
Posts: 644
And now if you fly to Mia from Iad you can have the pleasure of making the journey in a crj.
Jan 22, 2012, 11:25 am
#22
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: San Francisco/Sydney
Programs: UA 1K/MM, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Something, IHG Gold, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 8,151
When your planes are full, you can charge whatever you want!
I flew into/out of MIA a week ago, and both of my flights were oversold. I took a VBD, and whilst waiting for my new flight saw a few other flights go out, and every one was full and/or oversold.
Try booking into FLL. It's only 20 miles away, and sometimes has cheaper fares.
I flew into/out of MIA a week ago, and both of my flights were oversold. I took a VBD, and whilst waiting for my new flight saw a few other flights go out, and every one was full and/or oversold.
Try booking into FLL. It's only 20 miles away, and sometimes has cheaper fares.
Jan 22, 2012, 11:57 am
#23
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EXP, Hilton GLD, Marriott Plat, NEXUS/GE
Posts: 2,872
Full doesn't necessarily mean that the plane was full of high yield passengers.
To the OP: Consider being disloyal to AA? Otherwise, you're proving the genius of frequent flier programs in causing you to overspend.
To the OP: Consider being disloyal to AA? Otherwise, you're proving the genius of frequent flier programs in causing you to overspend.
Jan 26, 2012, 10:12 am
#24
Join Date: May 2006
Location: PHL/EWR
Programs: UA, AA
Posts: 1,821
Which must be the case on the PIT-EWR runs I referenced above, because those planes are far from full.
Jan 26, 2012, 3:51 pm
#25
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: CLE
Programs: UA 1K MM, DL Plat
Posts: 982
... so capacity and price are loosely connected at best, unless you want to take the stand that CLE-PHL is so expensive because of all the people connecting PIT-CLE-PHL on cheap tickets!
Jan 26, 2012, 7:57 pm
#26
Join Date: Sep 2009
Programs: One Pass
Posts: 250
When your planes are full, you can charge whatever you want!
I flew into/out of MIA a week ago, and both of my flights were oversold. I took a VBD, and whilst waiting for my new flight saw a few other flights go out, and every one was full and/or oversold.
Try booking into FLL. It's only 20 miles away, and sometimes has cheaper fares.
I flew into/out of MIA a week ago, and both of my flights were oversold. I took a VBD, and whilst waiting for my new flight saw a few other flights go out, and every one was full and/or oversold.
Try booking into FLL. It's only 20 miles away, and sometimes has cheaper fares.
Jan 27, 2012, 9:25 am
#27
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Chicago
Posts: 887
Why are the one way ORD-EWR (May 11) and EWR-oRD (May 13) only showing the refundable fares at over $300 each way. The discounted round trip is ~$200.
Any way to see the restricted one way?
Any way to see the restricted one way?
Jan 27, 2012, 10:33 am
#28
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: LGA/JFK/EWR
Programs: UA 1K1.75MM, Hyatt Globalist, abandoned Marriott LTT (RIP SPG), Hertz PC
Posts: 21,167
They may not even be offered - one way pricing to/from EWR can be crazy. LGA much more palatable.
Jan 27, 2012, 8:19 pm
#29
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: San Francisco
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 137
UA wants $1687 for a W/SWUable fare from SFO to NRT pretty much anytime in the next couple of months, meanwhile SFO to HKG/PEK/etc is about $1300-1350 for a W fare. It's $1607 from SFO to DXB in W, for almost 2x the distance r/t. Unbelievable.
Jan 28, 2012, 8:07 pm
#30
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Singapore
Programs: AA Gold, IHG & Marriott Platinum, Hilton Gold
Posts: 1,024
Maybe Alaska Airlines can get a 737-700ER or two. They already have 737-700s. ERs would let them open up east coast-Hawaii routes if they wanted. Or even Asia routes. One would think they could do OK between ANC and various parts of Asia with 737s, at least in the summer.
Alternatively they could use current equipment to operate DEN-SFO/OAK/SFO-HNL-DEN, with the return trip a nonstop if they wished.
Not from SFO, and not in an A320. EYW's runway is only 4,801 feet long. Even service to IAH might be tricky. That would be the new longest airline flight in/out of EYW. (Republic Airlines operates CLT-EYW seasonally, which is currently the longest.) Also, a great circle run to IAH would be rather far out into the Gulf of Mexico. If there's an ETOPS Q400 available, maybe that'd work, if they thought there'd be enough interest in a ~3 hour scheduled Q400 flight time. I don't know if they could get out of EYW with enough fuel, though, especially on hot days.
If someone had an Avro RJ70 or RJ85 available, that might work better, even to IAD. But there aren't any of those left in U.S. airline service.
Alternatively they could use current equipment to operate DEN-SFO/OAK/SFO-HNL-DEN, with the return trip a nonstop if they wished.
If someone had an Avro RJ70 or RJ85 available, that might work better, even to IAD. But there aren't any of those left in U.S. airline service.
Last edited by iluv2fly; Jan 29, 2012 at 2:02 am Reason: merge