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]
Nov 20, 2017, 9:34 am
#1291
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Houston
Programs: UA Plat, Marriott Gold
Posts: 12,693
Yea, I can't imagine why UA didn't throw more metal at that 7 cpm bloodbath.
Nov 20, 2017, 9:50 am
#1292
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: New York, NY
Programs: UA, AA, DL, Hertz, Avis, National, Hyatt, Hilton, SPG, Marriott
Posts: 9,454
My biggest gripe as a 'weekend warrior', is the absence of DEN-EWR redeyes outside of the largest holiday peaks this winter. United finally puts a late EGE-DEN in the schedule for a good chunk of the season, and the last DEN-EWR, most days, is 5:55pm. Even an 8pm DEN-EWR, as has been scheduled in years past, is notably absent.
The DEN-EWR redeye is miserable but at least permits a full ski day, and lands EWR early enough for me to get a few hours' nap in before work. The schedule variability is a pain!
The DEN-EWR redeye is miserable but at least permits a full ski day, and lands EWR early enough for me to get a few hours' nap in before work. The schedule variability is a pain!
Nov 20, 2017, 11:09 am
#1293
Join Date: May 2012
Location: ORF, RIC
Programs: UA LT 1K, 3 MM; Marriott Titanium; IHG Platinum
Posts: 6,958
Is LGA-DEN still on the winter schedule? I remember that UA added this flight just for NYC skiers in the past. Cheers.
Nov 20, 2017, 11:18 am
#1294
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: MRY - CNX - TXL
Programs: UA 1K / *G / Marriott PE / Expedia Gold+ / Hertz PC
Posts: 7,058
MRY-DEN-TEX used to be nice until they stopped flying both of those but we were given SFO-MTJ which is more reliable than TEX.
Nov 20, 2017, 11:47 am
#1295
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 2,531
As Gold, don't you keep your checked bag and carry-on privs even on BE?
Nov 20, 2017, 11:57 am
#1296
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,416
Nov 20, 2017, 12:03 pm
#1297
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: BWI<MCI< PHL<DEN<SCL<EZE<CHO<PHL<ABE
Programs: UA Silver / FA
Posts: 939
Nov 20, 2017, 12:31 pm
#1298
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,416
Nov 25, 2017, 12:40 pm
#1299
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: MileagePlus, Amex MR, Chase UR
Posts: 24
Hmm I am looking at SFO-ICN OZ 211/212 in business class which is being offered at ~$4k by Asiana, but an astounding ~$13k when offered by United on codeshare. My dates are Jul 6-Jul 15.
I really prefer to book with United for my PQD but that's a ridiculous fare difference. Is there any chance for United to offer it at the same price as Asiana or am I SOL?
I really prefer to book with United for my PQD but that's a ridiculous fare difference. Is there any chance for United to offer it at the same price as Asiana or am I SOL?
Nov 25, 2017, 2:14 pm
#1300
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.997MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,859
Hmm I am looking at SFO-ICN OZ 211/212 in business class which is being offered at ~$4k by Asiana, but an astounding ~$13k when offered by United on codeshare. My dates are Jul 6-Jul 15.
I really prefer to book with United for my PQD but that's a ridiculous fare difference. Is there any chance for United to offer it at the same price as Asiana or am I SOL?
I really prefer to book with United for my PQD but that's a ridiculous fare difference. Is there any chance for United to offer it at the same price as Asiana or am I SOL?
So it is unlikely OZ will allow UA to sell the discounted fare --
Nov 25, 2017, 3:02 pm
#1301
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: LAX
Programs: UA:1k; MR: PLT; Hilton: Gold
Posts: 1,324
Hmm I am looking at SFO-ICN OZ 211/212 in business class which is being offered at ~$4k by Asiana, but an astounding ~$13k when offered by United on codeshare. My dates are Jul 6-Jul 15.
I really prefer to book with United for my PQD but that's a ridiculous fare difference. Is there any chance for United to offer it at the same price as Asiana or am I SOL?
I really prefer to book with United for my PQD but that's a ridiculous fare difference. Is there any chance for United to offer it at the same price as Asiana or am I SOL?
Was going to say you're in luck on this one because the first restriction of the fare you're running into is the flight numbers. Fare explicitly states it has to be on 211/212 as well as explicitly stating it must NOT include a UA codeshare. You could get around that by calling UA and feeding the native OZ flight numbers and hoping they'll ticket. The surcharges section states:
Code:
TICKETS MUST BE ISSUED ON THE STOCK OF OZ OR A3. ... OR - TICKETS MUST BE ISSUED ON THE STOCK OF OZ OR UA.
Code:
FARE RULE TICKETS MUST BE ISSUED ON THE STOCK OF OZ. NOTE - TEXT BELOW NOT VALIDATED FOR AUTOPRICING.
Nov 25, 2017, 3:20 pm
#1302
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: MileagePlus, Amex MR, Chase UR
Posts: 24
Ah, thanks for the info. I'm still learning about fare rules and how to read them. I guess I'll just have to go with Asiana! Appreciate the help.
Nov 25, 2017, 9:09 pm
#1303
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,416
For clarity, BTW, as well as for anyone who reads this thread later: this is not a matter of UA not honoring that price, but rather OZ refusing to allow UA to sell that ticket at that price. I’m guessing that there are two reasons for that. First of all, if UA issues the ticket, UA keeps the revenue until the flight is completed. I’m sure OZ would rather have the float, but I think that’s a minor issue. I believe the larger issue is that if someone no-shows the flight and a ticket expires, my understanding is that UA keeps most (all?) of the revenue. Further, if there are change fees, I wonder how much (if any) of the fee is passed through to the operating carrier — my guess would be zero, although I’m not certain about that.
Nov 28, 2017, 4:34 pm
#1304
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: LBB
Programs: UA 1K 1MM ★G | Marriott LTT | Hilton ♦ | Hertz PC | Global Entry TSA Pre ✓
Posts: 2,820
Afraid so. I really wish UA would update their program to allow PQDs on non-016 tickets, like DL and AA do. (Actually, I wish they’d dump PQDs entirely, but I’m tilting at windmills on that one).
For clarity, BTW, as well as for anyone who reads this thread later: this is not a matter of UA not honoring that price, but rather OZ refusing to allow UA to sell that ticket at that price. I’m guessing that there are two reasons for that. First of all, if UA issues the ticket, UA keeps the revenue until the flight is completed. I’m sure OZ would rather have the float, but I think that’s a minor issue. I believe the larger issue is that if someone no-shows the flight and a ticket expires, my understanding is that UA keeps most (all?) of the revenue. Further, if there are change fees, I wonder how much (if any) of the fee is passed through to the operating carrier — my guess would be zero, although I’m not certain about that.
For clarity, BTW, as well as for anyone who reads this thread later: this is not a matter of UA not honoring that price, but rather OZ refusing to allow UA to sell that ticket at that price. I’m guessing that there are two reasons for that. First of all, if UA issues the ticket, UA keeps the revenue until the flight is completed. I’m sure OZ would rather have the float, but I think that’s a minor issue. I believe the larger issue is that if someone no-shows the flight and a ticket expires, my understanding is that UA keeps most (all?) of the revenue. Further, if there are change fees, I wonder how much (if any) of the fee is passed through to the operating carrier — my guess would be zero, although I’m not certain about that.
Nov 28, 2017, 4:46 pm
#1305
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,416
Actually, no, it should be the IATA standard. You don’t need to be in a marketing alliance to sign an interline ticketing agreement. UA is very happy to sell connections through HKG to CX — even to BKK, in preference to TG. I can’t believe that the processes are negoatiated individually for each set of carriers that have a ticketing agreement (and keep in mind that you can have any number of carriers on a single ticket). The specific cost / payment breakdowns probably are, but the processes — who collects what, when — should be standard.