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]
#1756
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 11,468
Too far out, too general a query, any wisdom here would be shot in the dark.
Google will give a range of 'typical' fares, so you could make a rough guess based on where in the spectrum your price falls.
Aside: I don't understand the thread title.
Happy first post!
Google will give a range of 'typical' fares, so you could make a rough guess based on where in the spectrum your price falls.
Happy first post!
#1757
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 690
You can also use the Date Grid and Price Graph feature of Google Flights to see how prices vary with date. If you only want to fly on certain airlines (e.g., UA, since you're posting in a United Airlines forum), make sure to use the Airlines drop-down selector on the results page.
#1758
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.995MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,857
This is an archive thread, the active thread is
Consolidated "Why is this UA fare so expensive?" thread
WineCountryUA
UA coModerator
Consolidated "Why is this UA fare so expensive?" thread
WineCountryUA
UA coModerator
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Jan 28, 2024 at 11:45 pm