Question about Z class availability
Feb 14, 2013 | 2:07 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: ORD
Programs: UA 1K, IHG Platinum Ambassador, Marriott Gold
Posts: 94
Question about Z class availability
I am looking to book a flight with expert mode enabled on united.com and have run into an issue. I have selected business/businessfirst for my cabin and the only fares that come up are C class seats. I look on the available cabins for both my departure and return flight at there is Z class availability, at least Z1 or higher, why would the website default to C class at a fare almost double Z class?
Feb 14, 2013 | 2:09 pm
#2
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: DL Diamond, UA 1K MM, SPG Plat For Life, Marriott Plat, Nexus/GlobalEntry
Posts: 9,198
I am looking to book a flight with expert mode enabled on united.com and have run into an issue. I have selected business/businessfirst for my cabin and the only fares that come up are C class seats. I look on the available cabins for both my departure and return flight at there is Z class availability, at least Z1 or higher, why would the website default to C class at a fare almost double Z class?
There either may not be a Z fare published or for some reason your itin doesn't qualify..could be not enough advance purchase (many Z fares have a 30 or 50 day advance), no Sat night stay, or you don't meet the minimum stay requirements.
Feb 14, 2013 | 2:10 pm
#3
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 4,645
I am looking to book a flight with expert mode enabled on united.com and have run into an issue. I have selected business/businessfirst for my cabin and the only fares that come up are C class seats. I look on the available cabins for both my departure and return flight at there is Z class availability, at least Z1 or higher, why would the website default to C class at a fare almost double Z class?
As a next step, you can try calling and see if you find an agent willing to check or help you.
Also, I find the ITA Fare Matrix helpful in uncovering Z or P fares.
Feb 14, 2013 | 3:24 pm
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Houston
Programs: UA Plat, Marriott Plat
Posts: 13,343
I am looking to book a flight with expert mode enabled on united.com and have run into an issue. I have selected business/businessfirst for my cabin and the only fares that come up are C class seats. I look on the available cabins for both my departure and return flight at there is Z class availability, at least Z1 or higher, why would the website default to C class at a fare almost double Z class?
1) No Z fare published for your market
2) Advance purchase requirement
3) Minimum stay requirement
4) Saturday night stay requirement
5) Combinability restrictions
6) Display glitch
7) Roundtrip requirement
Feb 14, 2013 | 4:09 pm
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: ORD
Programs: UA 1K, IHG Platinum Ambassador, Marriott Gold
Posts: 94
Since you've given us so few details to work with, a non-exhaustive list of possibilities:
1) No Z fare published for your market
2) Advance purchase requirement
3) Minimum stay requirement
4) Saturday night stay requirement
5) Combinability restrictions
6) Display glitch
7) Roundtrip requirement
1) No Z fare published for your market
2) Advance purchase requirement
3) Minimum stay requirement
4) Saturday night stay requirement
5) Combinability restrictions
6) Display glitch
7) Roundtrip requirement
I understand advance purchase requirement but stating available fare of Z and previously purchasing this fare is somewhat confusing.
I will have to call to book this, just curious as it seems odd that I was able to book the same route, same flying days with little advance purchase a month ago and now that option is not available.
Feb 14, 2013 | 6:57 pm
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Worldwide
Posts: 12,952
Without getting into too much detail I had previously booked this reservation, ORD to MTY in Z with only a 4 day advance purchase. This was work related and customer made us cancel night before the flight. So I know that Z is available as I am looking to travel the same dates, Sun-Fri.
I understand advance purchase requirement but stating available fare of Z and previously purchasing this fare is somewhat confusing.
I will have to call to book this, just curious as it seems odd that I was able to book the same route, same flying days with little advance purchase a month ago and now that option is not available.
I understand advance purchase requirement but stating available fare of Z and previously purchasing this fare is somewhat confusing.
I will have to call to book this, just curious as it seems odd that I was able to book the same route, same flying days with little advance purchase a month ago and now that option is not available.
http://Help.KVSTool.com/#Q1
[KVS Availability Tool 7.1.6/Diamond - ATP: Fares/FC/Current]
Code:
ORD Chicago O'Hare Intl IL US [KORD] MTY Monterrey Gen Mariano Escobedo MX [MMMY] R/T Carrier From To Fare Cur Total Q YQYR Fare Basis --------- ------ ---- -------- ---- -------- ---- ---- ------------- UA CHI MTY 239 USD 239 GNN0R0SN UA CHI MTY 330 USD 450 120 TNN0A8SN UA CHI MTY 360 USD 480 120 SNN0A8SN UA CHI MTY 390 USD 510 120 WNN0A8SN UA CHI MTY 420 USD 540 120 VNN0A8SN UA CHI MTY 480 USD 600 120 QNN0A8SN UA CHI MTY 540 USD 660 120 HNN0A8SN UA CHI MTY 650 USD 770 120 UNN0A8SN UA CHI MTY 740 USD 860 120 ENN0A8SN UA CHI MTY 800 USD 920 120 BNN0A8SN UA CHI MTY 1280 USD 1400 120 YNN0A8SH UA CHI MTY 1280 USD 1400 120 YNN0A8SY UA CHI MTY 2380 USD 2500 120 CNN0A8SY UA CHI MTY 2720 USD 2840 120 JNN0A8SY
Feb 14, 2013 | 6:58 pm
#8
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: People's Republic of HotTubistan
Posts: 1,408
I am looking to book a flight with expert mode enabled on united.com and have run into an issue. I have selected business/businessfirst for my cabin and the only fares that come up are C class seats. I look on the available cabins for both my departure and return flight at there is Z class availability, at least Z1 or higher, why would the website default to C class at a fare almost double Z class?
Feb 14, 2013 | 8:23 pm
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Houston
Programs: UA Plat, Marriott Plat
Posts: 13,343
Feb 15, 2013 | 2:15 pm
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: ORD
Programs: UA 1K, IHG Platinum Ambassador, Marriott Gold
Posts: 94
This is what I am talking about, United's website showing Z availability and yet I am bumped to C. I have tried using lowest fare and picking Z class specifically and that won't work. I can try booking using Y or B fares, as there is availability.
My biggest issue was that I previously booked this flight, had to cancel and the fare is over double what I had already booked.
Feb 15, 2013 | 5:34 pm
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Jersey Shore/YYZ
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Plat, Hilton Diamond, Hertz PC
Posts: 12,529
Umm, it's a 3.5 hour flight on a regional jet.
SO not worth booking Z or C.
As for showing Z availability, that's not how "expert mode" and airline fares work.
SO not worth booking Z or C.
As for showing Z availability, that's not how "expert mode" and airline fares work.
Feb 15, 2013 | 8:18 pm
#12
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: WAS-ish
Programs: UA 1K-MM + UC, Marriott Plat, National Exec
Posts: 1,343
This is what I am talking about, United's website showing Z availability and yet I am bumped to C. I have tried using lowest fare and picking Z class specifically and that won't work. I can try booking using Y or B fares, as there is availability.
My biggest issue was that I previously booked this flight, had to cancel and the fare is over double what I had already booked.
1). The Z bucket is available on this flight.
2). There are no Z fares published for this route right now.
Therefore, you cannot buy a Z fare. United does not want to sell it, so they will not. Purchasing a fare requires that a fare is published AND the bucket is available.
A Z fare used to be published on this route. Then it was pulled. This is why you could buy it before, but not now.