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]
Apr 29, 2012, 10:04 am
#211
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Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Bay Area, CA
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How much is US Airways?
You don't get lifetime mileage credit on US, but you still get miles and EQM.
If you're on single-cabin RJs with no chance at an upgrade, US may be a better option.
You don't get lifetime mileage credit on US, but you still get miles and EQM.
If you're on single-cabin RJs with no chance at an upgrade, US may be a better option.
Apr 29, 2012, 10:08 am
#212
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Posts: 50,262
And US often has great -UP and discounted F fares which can be cheaper than full Y.
Apr 29, 2012, 10:26 am
#213
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Posts: 1,273
Super Expensive Fares But Loads of Empty Seats? - TransPac
Hi,
I fly SFO to Australia (SYD/MEL) regularly on Y. Typically pre June 15 flights are $850 since its winter in Australia and not that nice. After June 15 it goes up to $1000. Flights are rarely full.
So I went to book our trip again and Whooooo!
Fares are $1700 (i.e. June 8th return July 9th). I figured I left it too late, but amazingly the outbound flight has 50% empty seats and inbound flight has sold exactly 20 tickets in Y (there are over 200 seats in Y).
What gives? Is this a new United policy or something else? Its definitely not market forces. Who in the middle of horrible recession can afford to spend $6800 on just tickets.
Thanks.
I fly SFO to Australia (SYD/MEL) regularly on Y. Typically pre June 15 flights are $850 since its winter in Australia and not that nice. After June 15 it goes up to $1000. Flights are rarely full.
So I went to book our trip again and Whooooo!
Fares are $1700 (i.e. June 8th return July 9th). I figured I left it too late, but amazingly the outbound flight has 50% empty seats and inbound flight has sold exactly 20 tickets in Y (there are over 200 seats in Y).
What gives? Is this a new United policy or something else? Its definitely not market forces. Who in the middle of horrible recession can afford to spend $6800 on just tickets.
Thanks.
Apr 29, 2012, 10:30 am
#214
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Virginia, USA
Posts: 4,510
I did a mileage run IAD/SYD same time last year for $750. Not this year. UA's fares have become very "optimistic."
Apr 29, 2012, 3:59 pm
#215
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Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,273
The weird thing there is now more supply since delta fly the route nowand far less demand due to the recession so what gives
Last edited by iluv2fly; Apr 29, 2012 at 5:32 pm Reason: merge
Apr 29, 2012, 4:06 pm
#216
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Fares headed up this summer
USA Today reported on Friday that analysts believe that fares will head much higher this summer.
Less capacity, higher fuel costs, improved economy all mean that carriers can and will charge a great deal more.
The moral is that if you find a deal now, even if it's not what you paid a year ago, grab it. Always a chance for deals later, but the greater likelihood is that prices will skyrocket further.
And, to answer the question, "who pays $7K for a TPAC in Y," the answer is, a lot of people and more are willing.
Less capacity, higher fuel costs, improved economy all mean that carriers can and will charge a great deal more.
The moral is that if you find a deal now, even if it's not what you paid a year ago, grab it. Always a chance for deals later, but the greater likelihood is that prices will skyrocket further.
And, to answer the question, "who pays $7K for a TPAC in Y," the answer is, a lot of people and more are willing.
Apr 29, 2012, 4:40 pm
#217
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The improved economy is nice, but the Australia dollar is historically worth US$0.66 but is now $US1.07 (that' right the Australia dollar is higher than the US$).
So there is something else happening given the seat maps show near empty flights. I'm guessing its some sort of new pricing mechanism.
Apr 29, 2012, 4:42 pm
#218
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Virginia, USA
Posts: 4,510
"Improved" economy? I keep reading about a "stalled" economy.
Apr 29, 2012, 4:48 pm
#219
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Apr 29, 2012, 6:58 pm
#222
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The prior poster did say when you find a "deal," book it, vs. waiting to see if it falls. $1700 on that route is not a "deal," unless we're talking W or higher with R inventory available at time of booking--which ran $2200 last year when I was looking at it (and no, I didn't book).
Apr 29, 2012, 7:29 pm
#223
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Last year doesn't matter. But, it's certainly your choice to wait and see.
DL, for example, reported +2% in pax traffic and +13% in net revenue for last quarter. Not sure I'd called that "stalled."
Last edited by iluv2fly; Apr 29, 2012 at 7:41 pm Reason: merge
Apr 29, 2012, 10:45 pm
#224
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: SF Bay Area
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Posts: 947
SFO-HNL Mid June. UA 2x the price of the rest...
Mid June:
Alaska Airlines $848
American Airlines $998
Delta $620
Hawaiian Airlines $817
United $2021
US Airways $1814
Pretty uncompetitive - why?
Alaska Airlines $848
American Airlines $998
Delta $620
Hawaiian Airlines $817
United $2021
US Airways $1814
Pretty uncompetitive - why?
Apr 30, 2012, 5:55 am
#225
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That said, if you are looking at a one-off ticket, DL is the best deal and that's what you ought to fly.