Deceptive pricing on connecting itineraries {workaround to married segment pricing}
Jun 9, 2015, 10:48 am
#167
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If you've bought it from UA, it's legal. What's more, when I've done things like this, they have checked my bag right through. Once they did ask a question, but I played ignorant and just said that I was flying to [the final destination] so I didn't understand what the problem was.
Jun 9, 2015, 10:52 am
#168
Join Date: Aug 2001
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Welcome to Flyertalk.
I wouldn't be so sure about them not checking your baggage all the way through at ORD. I had an itinerary with a 6 hour 40 minute connection in ORD and I was contemplating on doing a SDC to a different international flight. I was afraid that if I checked my bag I would run the risk of them not wanting to retrieve my bag should I decide to SDC when I got to ORD.
Initially I was told that my bag could be short checked, but then another agent objected and said the bag must be tagged as ticketed. This agent then went on to say they can not short tag because passengers were doing this to circumvent fare rules and asked if I had heard about the lawsuit against skiplagged.
I wouldn't be so sure about them not checking your baggage all the way through at ORD. I had an itinerary with a 6 hour 40 minute connection in ORD and I was contemplating on doing a SDC to a different international flight. I was afraid that if I checked my bag I would run the risk of them not wanting to retrieve my bag should I decide to SDC when I got to ORD.
Initially I was told that my bag could be short checked, but then another agent objected and said the bag must be tagged as ticketed. This agent then went on to say they can not short tag because passengers were doing this to circumvent fare rules and asked if I had heard about the lawsuit against skiplagged.
Jun 9, 2015, 11:00 am
#169
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: San Antonio, TX
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Posts: 784
If you were booking in a GDS, you might into issues with the pricing and United could fine you (debit memo). However, if UA.bomb is letting you book this, it is fair game!
I used to do this EVERY week. You often get better pricing and can pick the exact segments you want. I have never had issues checking bags all the way through. Keep in mind that you will need pick up and re-check your bag after you clear customs in EWR (when returning from BOM).
I used to do this EVERY week. You often get better pricing and can pick the exact segments you want. I have never had issues checking bags all the way through. Keep in mind that you will need pick up and re-check your bag after you clear customs in EWR (when returning from BOM).
Jun 9, 2015, 11:01 am
#170
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 6
I have absolutely no problems if they check my bag through. Also, I will be buying the itinerary from United.com
FWIW, I will be United Silver at that time
I had this weird feeling that either what I was doing was illegal or there was a catch that I wasn't seeing. I was considering flying ORD LGA EWR BOM to prevent suspicion but NYC traffic can make 5 hour layover insufficient.
FWIW, I will be United Silver at that time
I had this weird feeling that either what I was doing was illegal or there was a catch that I wasn't seeing. I was considering flying ORD LGA EWR BOM to prevent suspicion but NYC traffic can make 5 hour layover insufficient.
Jun 9, 2015, 11:04 am
#171
Join Date: Aug 2008
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There is no issue doing this, I do it all the time.
There should be no issue checking your bag all the way through even if they were on separate tickets. Especially with the flights being on the same airline.
From the way you're booking it will all be on the same ticket. when you checkin on the kiosk it should automatically check your bag thru actually. Double check though. You should get both BPs too.
There should be no issue checking your bag all the way through even if they were on separate tickets. Especially with the flights being on the same airline.
From the way you're booking it will all be on the same ticket. when you checkin on the kiosk it should automatically check your bag thru actually. Double check though. You should get both BPs too.
Jun 9, 2015, 11:07 am
#172
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Perfectly legal. It's on a single ticket, they will absolutely check your bags through.
It's not technically a married segment issue; if it were, you would not be able to book the separate segments. UA would like to charge you the $1600 through fare but the system lets you book it differently.
It's not technically a married segment issue; if it were, you would not be able to book the separate segments. UA would like to charge you the $1600 through fare but the system lets you book it differently.
Jun 9, 2015, 11:10 am
#173
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Wait, are you guys saying that the UA multi city tool just end-on-ends everything rather than treating it as a through fare when possible ?
Wait, are you guys saying that the UA multi city tool just end-on-ends everything rather than treating it as a through fare when possible ?
Jun 9, 2015, 11:11 am
#174
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: PHL
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If my terminology is correct, Married Segment would be if UA123 was ORD-EWR-BOM all with the same flight number. If I recall, it can cause issues with upgrades and getting the right miles. Even in that case, you should be able to multi-city book ORD-EWR and EWR-BOM separately. In anycase, your ability to checked bags wouldnt be affected.
Jun 9, 2015, 11:14 am
#175
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Even in that case, you should be able to multi-city book ORD-EWR and EWR-BOM separately. In anycase, your ability to checked bags wouldnt be affected.
Jun 9, 2015, 11:18 am
#176
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: San Antonio, TX
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I don't think it happens ALL the time. I'm not sure exactly how UA.bomb does it, but I think that it gives you the cheaper option (thru vs end-to-end) when you search using multi-city. However, when you book it using the typical "Round Trip" option, it always books it as thru.
Jun 9, 2015, 11:20 am
#177
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Ah, ok. So like the old SFO-SYD-MEL, you couldnt just book SYD-MEL. Luckily I have never had to deal with this issue directly. Thanks for clarifying
Jun 9, 2015, 11:22 am
#179
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Yes. If your PNR has ORD-EWR-BOM and you arrive at EWR with not enough time to make EWR-BOM, they will rebook you. Though, a good agent will usually try to find another way to get you to BOM if that occurs. Like if you are at ORD already and they know you wont make it. They should start looking for options thru another route or another airline.
I typically book long layovers because I don't trust UA to be ontime and don't want to risk losing my upgraded seat and/or have to wait 24hrs. 7 is a bit much. I usually aim for 3hrs
I typically book long layovers because I don't trust UA to be ontime and don't want to risk losing my upgraded seat and/or have to wait 24hrs. 7 is a bit much. I usually aim for 3hrs
Jun 9, 2015, 11:35 am
#180
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