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]
Aug 7, 2017, 11:54 am
#1261
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: San Francisco
Programs: UA MM Plat, UA 1MM, Hilton Lifetime Gold, Marriott Gold, Hertz Gold, CLEAR, AS MVP Gold
Posts: 3,621
Likewise, while I book a lot of biz travel my business is my own so it eventually reaches the bottom line....my pocket. Cutting back on international travel this year but still getting beat up on Hawaii and TCON routes (EWR/BOS).
Aug 17, 2017, 4:58 am
#1262
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: Marriott Titanium, United Silver, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 48
High Pricing for 2018 Summer Trip
I usually like to book in advance to solidify plans and hopefully get decent prices but seems United just doesn't want my business. AUS to PUJ June 9-16, 2018 pricing at $1500/ticket economy right now (B class). In years past a few weeks after tickets go on sale lower fare buckets opened up but not this year it seems. (I can get business class on Delta/American for $1100/ticket). Anybody have any insight? I dont run an airline but I would think they would want to sell some tickets early (perhaps not at the lowest price), have money in their bank account for 10 months, start getting a sense of how full the plane will be earlier rather than later, and compete with their competition.
Aug 17, 2017, 5:15 am
#1263
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: BWI<MCI< PHL<DEN<SCL<EZE<CHO<PHL<ABE
Programs: UA Silver / FA
Posts: 939
I usually like to book in advance to solidify plans and hopefully get decent prices but seems United just doesn't want my business. AUS to PUJ June 9-16, 2018 pricing at $1500/ticket economy right now (B class). In years past a few weeks after tickets go on sale lower fare buckets opened up but not this year it seems. (I can get business class on Delta/American for $1100/ticket). Anybody have any insight? I dont run an airline but I would think they would want to sell some tickets early (perhaps not at the lowest price), have money in their bank account for 10 months, start getting a sense of how full the plane will be earlier rather than later, and compete with their competition.
Been tracking Jan flights for months PHL-DEN, F9/AA dropped to $134 RT (for basic) this week, and I was able to jump on the UA mini-sale in that battle at $240 as I'll be checking skis, a second bag and free E+. They're experts at putting their price right on the edge of what I'd pay vs. the competition.
Aug 17, 2017, 6:34 am
#1264
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Houston, TX
Programs: Continental OnePass Platinum
Posts: 416
Agreed. Prices way out are often very, very high. A lot of people have looked at when to find the cheapest seat, and most of the results are in the 2-4 month in advance range.
Aug 17, 2017, 6:36 am
#1265
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: MBS/FNT/LAN
Programs: UA 1K, HH Gold, Mariott Gold
Posts: 9,630
Welcome to FT!
That is why you don't run an airline 
They already have a sense of how "full" it would be, that is why they offer the frequency and specific plane for PUJ.
Similar in spirit to Tblack15's post. UA believes if you want to book this early... that it may mean you NEED to book this early. And you are quite specific with your dates. Flexibility is paramount when price is a big consideration.
Similar in spirit to Tblack15's post. UA believes if you want to book this early... that it may mean you NEED to book this early. And you are quite specific with your dates. Flexibility is paramount when price is a big consideration.
Aug 17, 2017, 7:13 am
#1266
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: DEN
Programs: UA 1P-1MM, Marriott LT Titanium
Posts: 3,930
Google Flights is your friend. Save the flight and you'll get an email when the price drops. Beats going onto United.com every day to check.
Aug 17, 2017, 7:56 am
#1267
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,470
Cheapest airfares are on average offered around 60 days from departure. That's just an average and there are certainly times when it's better to book earlier, but if you are booking 6+ months prior to departure, you are probably paying too much.
Aug 17, 2017, 8:03 am
#1268
Join Date: Dec 2003
Programs: AA Plat Pro, United Silver, Marriott LTT, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond, IHG Platinum
Posts: 1,120
I usually like to book in advance to solidify plans and hopefully get decent prices but seems United just doesn't want my business. AUS to PUJ June 9-16, 2018 pricing at $1500/ticket economy right now (B class). In years past a few weeks after tickets go on sale lower fare buckets opened up but not this year it seems. (I can get business class on Delta/American for $1100/ticket). Anybody have any insight? ...
Oct 2, 2017, 4:41 pm
#1269
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 186
EWR to DEN/EGE pricing is CRAZY
What is United doing this year??? Almost all December flights from EWR to DEN are $500+ whereas flights from PHL or LGA or JFK are in the $150-$200 range one way. Also, did United cut back on EWR to EGE direct flights this year? VERY VERY hard to find. There used to be 1-2 per day during peak season.
Oct 2, 2017, 4:45 pm
#1270
Join Date: Sep 2015
Programs: UA Million Mile, Mileage Plus Premier 1K, SkyMiles Gold Medallion, AAdvantage Gold
Posts: 875
EWR-EGE doesn't start until 12/20, at which point it becomes daily through 4/2 (with a few random exceptions). If you are going Christmas time in December, the prices will be ridiculous. I am trying to book EWR-DEN/EGE/HDN in February and the prices are also astronomically high.
Oct 2, 2017, 4:47 pm
#1271
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Houston
Programs: UA Plat, Marriott Gold
Posts: 12,693
Pretty well covered in this now-closed thread: United does not need to compete in Newark?
Oct 2, 2017, 4:47 pm
#1272
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 186
I see... It used to start much earlier I believe.
The flights from EWR to DEN are ridiculous. LGA to DEN is much more reasonable.
The flights from EWR to DEN are ridiculous. LGA to DEN is much more reasonable.
Oct 2, 2017, 6:22 pm
#1273
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: AS 75K, DL Silver, UA Platinum, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Platinum + LT Gold
Posts: 10,515
What is United doing this year??? Almost all December flights from EWR to DEN are $500+ whereas flights from PHL or LGA or JFK are in the $150-$200 range one way. Also, did United cut back on EWR to EGE direct flights this year? VERY VERY hard to find. There used to be 1-2 per day during peak season.
I have always flown out of LGA for Denver trips.
Oct 4, 2017, 9:57 am
#1274
Join Date: Jul 2009
Programs: United Platinum, Delta Gold, SPG Platinum, Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 38
EWR-ATL pricing out of whack!
Trying to book a rt flight EWR-ATL a few weeks out, and the lowest fare it's giving me (for all nonstops) is M, while it shows 9 seats in every fare class (X, N, G, K, L, etc.) and there are tons of open seats on the plane. Very strange - happening for literally every single date I check. In some instances, Basic Econ is even pricing ABOVE the lowest econ (M).
I called the premier desk, she checked with .com after agreeing it seemed off, and they told her it was correct and was due to inventory - which makes no sense, as she agreed that the loads were already very light.
Any ideas?? Need to book this for an upcoming work trip and really don't want to fly DL, but also can't justify a $1,000 RT economy ticket to my boss.
I called the premier desk, she checked with .com after agreeing it seemed off, and they told her it was correct and was due to inventory - which makes no sense, as she agreed that the loads were already very light.
Any ideas?? Need to book this for an upcoming work trip and really don't want to fly DL, but also can't justify a $1,000 RT economy ticket to my boss.
Oct 4, 2017, 10:03 am
#1275
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,415
