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]
Jul 27, 2018, 5:12 am
#1396
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: London, United Kingdom
Programs: British Airways Gold
Posts: 2,636
Nothing unfair about charging a premium for a non-stop flight
Jul 27, 2018, 8:54 am
#1397
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Washington DC
Programs: Delta DM CO PE OZ GE AMTRAK
Posts: 524
there are plenty of airlines flying SFO-Hawaii, just not so much SFO-LIH. Of course united has to make money somewhere. you should petition jetblue to fly it.
Jul 27, 2018, 9:00 am
#1398
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Washington DC
Programs: Delta DM CO PE OZ GE AMTRAK
Posts: 524
That's pretty much the way all airfares work.
Yes, it's aggravating. But welcome to the consequence of allowing mega-mergers in the airline industry to reduce us to just a handful of airlines. (though it started long before the current market environment existed, of course)
Had you considered taking Hawaiian from another Bay Area airport? Like Hawaiian to HNL or OGG and a quick 'n easy connection to LIH?
You might find better prices by increasing the flexibility of your plans.
ALSO, if you choose to terminate in a city other than your ticketed destination (i.e., getting off at SFO), be warned: the airlines don't like this, and can taken action against your MileagePlus account, up to an including termination. That said, it's unlikely that they'd do anything drastic the first time, but United is also run by a bunch of jerks these days, if you haven't noticed.
Yes, it's aggravating. But welcome to the consequence of allowing mega-mergers in the airline industry to reduce us to just a handful of airlines. (though it started long before the current market environment existed, of course)
Had you considered taking Hawaiian from another Bay Area airport? Like Hawaiian to HNL or OGG and a quick 'n easy connection to LIH?
You might find better prices by increasing the flexibility of your plans.
ALSO, if you choose to terminate in a city other than your ticketed destination (i.e., getting off at SFO), be warned: the airlines don't like this, and can taken action against your MileagePlus account, up to an including termination. That said, it's unlikely that they'd do anything drastic the first time, but United is also run by a bunch of jerks these days, if you haven't noticed.
Jul 27, 2018, 9:11 am
#1399
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
The round trip fare from SFO to LIH is $781 on the dates my wife wants to travel. However, fares are much lower to LIH from several western citied if they connect to this same SFO to LIH flight. For example, Sacramento to SFO , then connected to the same SFO to LIH flight is $321 cheaper! Would there be any penalties if we took the outbound flights as scheduled, but on the way back just get off in SFO and not take the last leg to Sacramento?
I apologize if this sort of question has been asked before but this infuriating situation is new to me.
I apologize if this sort of question has been asked before but this infuriating situation is new to me.
As I fly this route often I may try flying out of SMF if the savings is worth it. From my Napa home it is about the same travel time and SMF is EASY with cheaper parking. I suspect it is a VERY early departure out of SMF to make the morning connection at SFO.
Jul 27, 2018, 9:50 am
#1400
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Berkeley, CA
Programs: UA Silver, Southwest A-List, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 818
Just wondering what the equivalent dates on AS and HA in the area (incl. alternates airports) are? Might be time to vote with your wallet if there are better options?
Jul 27, 2018, 9:51 am
#1401
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: SFO
Programs: AS, UA, WN, IHG Diamond Elite, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Gold, CET 7*
Posts: 3,300
I've done this before as well (SMF) by utilizing a one-way car rental for the outbound flights.
I assume you've priced Hawaiian and Alaska from OAK-LIH as well? HA just started their new A321 service in that market, which is pretty nice, especially compared to UA.
I assume you've priced Hawaiian and Alaska from OAK-LIH as well? HA just started their new A321 service in that market, which is pretty nice, especially compared to UA.
Jul 27, 2018, 10:13 am
#1402
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,467
Jul 27, 2018, 10:34 am
#1403
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
I have been shifting more of my flying dollars to AS over the last two years and may even move more over to AS as they now have a bigger presence out of SFO. UA still seems to have the better times to the Islands (slightly) and still the most flights. Also when I have compared pricing with AS considering I now have zero status with them it often isn't a whole lot cheaper given similar amenities (luggage fees, upgraded seating and boarding, food and bev fees). However I still watch there (AS) pricing like a hawk now. UA pricing to the Islands now, per several recent posts, is really all over the board.
Jul 27, 2018, 10:50 am
#1404
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: HNL
Programs: UA GS4MM, MR LT Plat, Hilton Gold
Posts: 6,447
The UA pricing is all over the board is that they have the most seats/capacity to Hawaii from the US Mainland.
Often, if you travel off peak days - don't fly outbound to Hawaii Thursday/Friday and don't return Fri-Mon, you can often find better deals.
Jul 27, 2018, 11:06 am
#1405
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Colorado
Programs: UA Gold (.85 MM), HH Diamond, SPG Platinum (LT Gold), Hertz PC, National EE
Posts: 5,656
Somewhat similar, flights out of COS often add $600 to the total cost of a ticket depending on certain destinations, but cheaper for others. I'm amazed that the actual PQD shows up as something like $21 for COS-DEN, with the remainder on DEN-XXX. Used to be flying out of COS would add around $100-150, and the $ amount would reflect that, now it's all over the map with no logic whatsoever. Flying to LAS next week, and a COS departure was absurd, while Denver was cheap. Just booked SLC and PHX, and COS was cheaper than DEN departure. LAS is more competitive than SLC and PHX, so why the pricing is so different is beyond me.
Jul 27, 2018, 11:08 am
#1406
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
$780 rt to Kauai doesn't sound awful to me - it is after all, the same distance as a transcon. Getting it $300 less sounds like a fantastic deal - you can't sustain that route profitably if all the seats go sub $500.
The UA pricing is all over the board is that they have the most seats/capacity to Hawaii from the US Mainland.
Often, if you travel off peak days - don't fly outbound to Hawaii Thursday/Friday and don't return Fri-Mon, you can often find better deals.
The UA pricing is all over the board is that they have the most seats/capacity to Hawaii from the US Mainland.
Often, if you travel off peak days - don't fly outbound to Hawaii Thursday/Friday and don't return Fri-Mon, you can often find better deals.
For peak days to the Islands I would also add Saturday morning flights.
UA is still running three NS/day into KOA and I will be curious to see what happens after the summer if the volcano is still active. They are going to need to fill those seats.
Jul 27, 2018, 11:17 am
#1407
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: TOA
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott LTPP/Platinum Premier, Hyatt Lame-ist, UA !K
Posts: 20,061
"Oh, wait, did we say we were expanding flights into HI? Ooops."
David
Jul 27, 2018, 11:25 am
#1408
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: San Francisco
Programs: All-Around Kettle
Posts: 3,290
Search the forum for "hidden city" ticketing; discussed many times. Bottom line is that it's against the rules, and the airline in theory could try to penalize you (such as by making you pay what the non-stop would have cost). But almost certainly you'll get away with it unless you make a habit of it.
Jul 27, 2018, 12:01 pm
#1409
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
Search the forum for "hidden city" ticketing; discussed many times. Bottom line is that it's against the rules, and the airline in theory could try to penalize you (such as by making you pay what the non-stop would have cost). But almost certainly you'll get away with it unless you make a habit of it.
Last edited by nomad420; Jul 27, 2018 at 12:11 pm Reason: syntax error
Jul 27, 2018, 12:13 pm
#1410
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: HNL
Programs: UA GS4MM, MR LT Plat, Hilton Gold
Posts: 6,447
What new Hawaii flights has UA failed to deliver?