Why are Fares Often Higher When Departing and Returning the same day?
Aug 19, 2012 | 11:59 pm
#1
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Why are Fares Often Higher When Departing and Returning the same day?
I have always noticed on many routes if depart and return the same day, (not talking about a Saturday night stay) the fare is much higher then if you stayed over at least 1 night. Why is this, why do they price like that.
Last edited by FlyinHawaiian; Aug 20, 2012 at 6:34 pm Reason: vague thread title
Aug 20, 2012 | 12:15 am
#3
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Many compannies are cutting back on business travel, with being able to do tela conferencing. It's not just the cost of air fares but you save hotel and meal bills when you take 1 day trips. This is not a issue with say WN all round trip fares are really one-way double.
In our company we have other facilities near ORD so going to MDW is not convienent. Both UA and CO had flights to MDW at one time.
In our company we have other facilities near ORD so going to MDW is not convienent. Both UA and CO had flights to MDW at one time.
Aug 20, 2012 | 12:26 am
#5
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Departing and Returning the same day
Twice a month I need to travel to YVR from YUL for monday morning project reviews and planning, often I'll get on the first non stop out and take the red eye home.
Not cheap. My employer pays but I've seen the bills.
Not cheap. My employer pays but I've seen the bills.
Aug 20, 2012 | 12:34 am
#6
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To discourage mileage runs? 
I've never noticed this on AA or DL. I doubt what you have noticed is widespread on competitive routes.
I've never noticed this on AA or DL. I doubt what you have noticed is widespread on competitive routes.
Aug 20, 2012 | 12:40 am
#7
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this depends on the aiport -- EWR, CLE, ... regularily have min stays. but for example from SFO, JFK, BOS, .... has no min
Aug 20, 2012 | 4:03 pm
#8
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I do this frequently (because I have to, not MRs). I've noticed this it can be more expensive if the departure and arrival are the same day, but it isn't always the case. In fact, for the route I do this frequently, it hasn't been more expensive for the last year or two, but it was before that.
Aug 20, 2012 | 4:29 pm
#9
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Because they know it's usually business people who are doing that and there was a time (not so much anymore) they would rather pay the extra to be back the next day then lose another night and have hotel costs, etc for the extra day.
As mentioned, two one ways may cut that cost.
Aug 20, 2012 | 4:35 pm
#10
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Because they know it's usually business people who are doing that and there was a time (not so much anymore) they would rather pay the extra to be back the next day then lose another night and have hotel costs, etc for the extra day.
As mentioned, two one ways may cut that cost.
As mentioned, two one ways may cut that cost.
To the second point, most booking systems (UA's website included) will price as two one-ways if it is cheaper than the roundtrip fare. No need to manually buy seperate tickets.
Aug 20, 2012 | 6:29 pm
#11
Join Date: Jun 2008
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For the OP, you may find it less costly to build a connection into your routing.
Aug 21, 2012 | 7:45 am
#13
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Since 2010, I have seen a premium on two night EWR-ORD R/T fares in August. In 2009, the 2-day fare for Wed-Fri trip was about the same as Thurs-Sat. In 2010, 2011 & 2012, I paid a much lower airfare by traveling Thurs-Sat then I would've if I had traveled Wed-Fri.
Aug 21, 2012 | 7:59 am
#14
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Just a theory....
But if you do a same day turn, you naturally have far fewer (roughly half) the choices of flights. So that limits the probability of finding low fare classes by default. And thus you pay more. Maybe there is no conspiracy.....
But if you do a same day turn, you naturally have far fewer (roughly half) the choices of flights. So that limits the probability of finding low fare classes by default. And thus you pay more. Maybe there is no conspiracy.....