Any ideas when UA.com won't replicate a price found on ITA?
Oct 1, 2012, 1:18 pm
#1
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Any ideas when UA.com won't replicate a price found on ITA?
For the a three-segment itin later this month (it's one of those that actually requires three segments), ITA has the itin at $260; UA.com has it at $315. No manipulating I do with multi-segment options will get it to match $260. Same fare buckets showing available. Is this just One Of Those Things that don't have an answer?
Oct 1, 2012, 1:25 pm
#2
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For the a three-segment itin later this month (it's one of those that actually requires three segments), ITA has the itin at $260; UA.com has it at $315. No manipulating I do with multi-segment options will get it to match $260. Same fare buckets showing available. Is this just One Of Those Things that don't have an answer?
I understand that ITA maybe quoting the price, but UA has to be offering that particular booking class. This can be due to the popularity of the routing and etc....just because the booking class is available, does not mean that it can be priced out and bought.
Oct 1, 2012, 2:00 pm
#4
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Oct 1, 2012, 2:10 pm
#5
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- represent the exact trip I want using the ITA route language, e.g. from xxx:: ua123 ua456 to: yyy:: ua789,
- look up that exact itinerary on hipmunk.com, which accepts ITA route language and books directly on united.com,
- assuming Hipmunk finds and prices the trip (legal but unusual connection, no phantom availability discrepancy between ITA/UA) click through from hipmunk to united.com's purchase page,
- put the reservation on hold with "ticket by phone",
- call United Web Support and ask to use an e-cert on a trip that's on hold.[/QUOTE]
My experience has been that if ITA says a UA fare is legit, and if the availability is still there, you can coax the united.com reservation engine to price the trip only by using intermediaries (kayak is very crude, hipmunk is a bit more refined).
You might also just call Web Support directly and tell them the flights you are trying to book and the fare you want and they may be able to take care of you. "Hang up and try again if it doesn't work."
Happy to experiment if you can't make this work -- feel free to PM me your itinerary if you'd like.
Oct 1, 2012, 2:46 pm
#6
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