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]
Mar 9, 2012, 1:02 pm
#166
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: if it's Thursday, this must be Belgium
Programs: UA 1K MM
Posts: 6,484
Mar 9, 2012, 1:55 pm
#167
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Brattleboro, VT
Posts: 706
I've been monitoring a fare BOS-MSP that has changed every single day since Sunday ranging from $375 on Tuesday to $501 on Sunday. Today it's at $445.
The weekend fares are fares for the Kettles who are gouged by UA in every way conceivable and just keep buying.
The weekend fares are fares for the Kettles who are gouged by UA in every way conceivable and just keep buying.
Mar 9, 2012, 2:50 pm
#168
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Virginia
Programs: AS MVPG, UA 1P, UA RCC, Hertz Gold, Marriott Rewards Silver, SPG Gold
Posts: 244
I understand fuel prices going up, merger, etc, etc, but I'm curious as to why United is now $800 more expensive than ALL the competition to fly between ORF-SEA in F. Again, I get that it is always a bit more on United, but $800 more? It used to be 150-200 more, but this is almost too much. AA/DL/US 1100-1200 vs. UA 2000.
Mar 9, 2012, 2:51 pm
#169
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: UA-1K
Posts: 308
EWR-SFO 8 months out - fare crazy high. Is it likely to drop?
This year we're having a family reunion of sorts in San Francisco. I was trying to price flights for my parents (EWR to SFO) and the fare was > $700 rt. I never book travel for myself very far out so I'm not sure if the fact that this trip is 8 months away is the cause. Price for April flights (bought post 3/3) is about half that. Can I expect the fare to drop the closer we get to Nov?
Mar 9, 2012, 4:14 pm
#170
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: if it's Thursday, this must be Belgium
Programs: UA 1K MM
Posts: 6,484
General advice for everyone:
Use Farecast (or similar). I'm sure that is far more definitive a guess than anyone here could provide.
Use Farecast (or similar). I'm sure that is far more definitive a guess than anyone here could provide.
Mar 10, 2012, 5:58 pm
#171
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Programs: Aeroplan SE AND 1MM, HHonors Gold, Marriott Bonvoy Platinum , L'Accor Platinum
Posts: 9,580
Will UA decrease first class fares sooner or later, below those quoted by KVS tool?
I may wish to buy a discounted first class ticket from Ottawa Canada to Honolulu, for a trip in mid-June.
Could UA have promotional or sale fares, between now and then, where the fares are lowered from the quotes of QUP fares, as listed by the KVS tool (see below)?
[KVS Availability Tool 6.9.6/Diamond - Galileo: Fares/PSH/RU]
Could UA have promotional or sale fares, between now and then, where the fares are lowered from the quotes of QUP fares, as listed by the KVS tool (see below)?
[KVS Availability Tool 6.9.6/Diamond - Galileo: Fares/PSH/RU]
Code:
YOW Ottawa Intl ON CA [CYOW] HNL Honolulu Intl HI US [PHNL] R/T 17 Jun 2012 | First Carrier From To Fare Cur AdvanceP Min Max Fare Basis | Travel Period --------- ------ ---- -------- ---- -------- --- --- -------------------------- UA YOW HNL 2792 CAD 50 Days QCT50UPN 24 Oct- UA YOW HNL 3071 CAD 50 Days QHT50UPN 24 Oct- UA YOW HNL 3399 CAD 14 Days QCT14UPN 24 Oct- UA YOW HNL 3678 CAD 14 Days QHT14UPN 24 Oct- UA YOW HNL 4885 CAD *** BCUAUP 24 Oct- UA YOW HNL 4885 CAD *** BUAUP1 24 Oct- UA YOW HNL 4885 CAD *** BUAUP2 24 Oct- UA YOW HNL 5231 CAD *** FCUA 24 Oct- UA YOW HNL 5372 CAD *** BHUAUP 24 Oct- UA YOW HNL 5755 CAD *** FHUA 24 Oct- UA YOW HNL 10318 CAD *** F 24 Oct-
Mar 13, 2012, 2:09 pm
#172
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Denver, CO
Programs: UA 1KMM, HH-Diamond, Marriott-Gold, Hertz 5*
Posts: 458
Agree. I used to book one way award and pay one way sometimes to Hawaii. Now fare rules for all Hawaii cities require round trip.
Mar 13, 2012, 2:14 pm
#173
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Slightly to the left of center
Posts: 3,475
Been watching SFO-HNL RT fares- also running $1200++ in early May (sample date May 4th. Peak travel day: Yes. Peak travel season: Yes. But 1200? That's a ticket to Europe.
UA was booking them into B class fares on their website, despite lower buckets (down to a T fare) as open. Probably didn't meet some min stay requirement, or peak travel times, etc.
Instead, a group of five of us booked AS OAK-HNL for $386 AI
UA was booking them into B class fares on their website, despite lower buckets (down to a T fare) as open. Probably didn't meet some min stay requirement, or peak travel times, etc.
Instead, a group of five of us booked AS OAK-HNL for $386 AI
Mar 13, 2012, 2:18 pm
#174
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: SFO
Programs: AA ExPlat; UA GS (via MM companion); SPG
Posts: 362
April/May is one of the low seasons in HI, surprised the fares don't reflect it.
Mar 13, 2012, 2:35 pm
#175
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Colorado
Programs: UA Gold (.85 MM), HH Diamond, SPG Platinum (LT Gold), Hertz PC, National EE
Posts: 5,656
I found if I force a routing thru SAN, it lowers the price to around $750. Still high compared to pre 3/3. .bomb used to automatically show this when selecting a search via price, or even flexible dates. Now you have to force it via the multi city to get the fare down. Even Kayak and Orbitz aren't showing the SAN option anymore.
Work trips that I have coming up are pricing much higher on UA compared to the competition. I have a COS-GSP trip planned for the end of April/early May. UA wants at minimum $450, Delta wants $250. Delta's times work for me, to get UA flights that work for me its actually $650.
But back to Hawaii, I just don't see UA surviving this attempt to charge such high fares to the islands compared to others.
Work trips that I have coming up are pricing much higher on UA compared to the competition. I have a COS-GSP trip planned for the end of April/early May. UA wants at minimum $450, Delta wants $250. Delta's times work for me, to get UA flights that work for me its actually $650.
But back to Hawaii, I just don't see UA surviving this attempt to charge such high fares to the islands compared to others.
Mar 15, 2012, 7:29 pm
#176
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Southeastern WI
Programs: UA Gold, HHonors Diamond
Posts: 590
Crazy Expensive Flights
UA is now trending at ~$800 a ticket nonstop for ORD to CUN in November, normally this is a $400-$500 fare...
An even award travel seems to have 0 saver for that time of year... been 0 since the calendar opened up...
Craziness..
An even award travel seems to have 0 saver for that time of year... been 0 since the calendar opened up...
Craziness..
Mar 15, 2012, 9:23 pm
#177
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: 12 stops from ORD
Programs: UA, AA, DL
Posts: 992
I saw those kind of price fluctuations for that route in Jan and Feb of last year for travel in March. Prices would shoot up a few hundred $$$ for a couple days and then come back down to the 400-500 range.
I'm guessing same thing is happening now, though with fuel prices being what they are, the prices probably won't go below $500. I would definitely wait it out for a while and see what happens.
I'm guessing same thing is happening now, though with fuel prices being what they are, the prices probably won't go below $500. I would definitely wait it out for a while and see what happens.
Mar 15, 2012, 9:40 pm
#178
Join Date: Jul 2011
Programs: UA 1K, Hertz President's Circle, Hilton Platinum,
Posts: 661
That's a quote from Smi/J at the recent JP Morgan aviation conference.
Mar 16, 2012, 10:53 pm
#179
Join Date: May 2011
Location: East Coast
Programs: Delta Platinum, United Silver, Marriott Titanium, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Gold
Posts: 441
CHS to ORD
Did an ITA matrix for CHS to ORD for my Uncle's 50th birthday, showing $378. Was curious if any of the matrix experts could help me find better? Able to fly out any time from Thursday April 19th past 3 PM till Saturday mid morning, party is at 7 PM on Saturday and depart anytime between Sunday morning and Monday, need to be in CHS by 2 PM on Monday if possible. I am willing to do any connections, prefer United or Star Alliance, but anything goes, thanks for any help or advice.
Mar 28, 2012, 9:54 pm
#180
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 140
Routing Question
I did a few searches but couldn't find exactly what I was looking for, perhaps, I didn't have the right search terms as I am sure others have answered this.
I am looking to fly IAH to SNA May 10th - 14th direct and prices were around $265 r/t a few weeks ago, however, I wasn't ready to book.
They are now up to $480 r/t and other airports are not an option. I searched from AUS (connecting in IAH) to SNA just to see and the tickets are only $230 r/t. This is crazy because you are still taking the same flights from IAH to SNA, just originating and ending in AUS.
When searching the revenue side it appears that there are seats in the lower fare buckets, however, I can't book them directly.
I am guessing that I am SOL at this point? I could do one-way back for $115 and just not board the flight from IAH to AUS. Will my miles for SNA to IAH still count though (I would be flying this segment and it would be the 1st segment of 2)?
Thanks
I am looking to fly IAH to SNA May 10th - 14th direct and prices were around $265 r/t a few weeks ago, however, I wasn't ready to book.
They are now up to $480 r/t and other airports are not an option. I searched from AUS (connecting in IAH) to SNA just to see and the tickets are only $230 r/t. This is crazy because you are still taking the same flights from IAH to SNA, just originating and ending in AUS.
When searching the revenue side it appears that there are seats in the lower fare buckets, however, I can't book them directly.
I am guessing that I am SOL at this point? I could do one-way back for $115 and just not board the flight from IAH to AUS. Will my miles for SNA to IAH still count though (I would be flying this segment and it would be the 1st segment of 2)?
Thanks