Jun 12, 2019, 9:11 pm
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
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.
Archive thread
-- 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.
Archive thread
Consolidated "Why is this UA fare so expensive?" thread
Mar 8, 2023, 7:50 pm
#241
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I didn’t want to start a new thread and I’m sure this is a glitch.
Gee, after buying to and from London in Polaris, do I want to ride in 10-across coach or sardine can F on a UA Hawaii-conference curation 772 - it’s a tough decision
Gee, after buying to and from London in Polaris, do I want to ride in 10-across coach or sardine can F on a UA Hawaii-conference curation 772 - it’s a tough decision
Mar 8, 2023, 10:26 pm
#242
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This is hilarious.
UA needs cash badly.....
Mar 8, 2023, 10:31 pm
#243
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Since my last post in this thread, the only UA pricing that makes any sense to me is to HKG. Every other destination is substantially more than what I paid in 2022 and before. Even LHR pricing is ridiculous from the west coast. It's actually cheaper for me to fly AA main cabin to LHR, which I will do as an OWE since I don't want to reward UA like this. I would save even more money with AA if I fly basic.
Mar 9, 2023, 12:14 am
#244
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UA is well aware that nobody would buy the J/JY ticket that way.
Mar 9, 2023, 8:01 am
#245
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It's less of a glitch and more of a combinability quirk. Basically, by selecting Polaris, you get the benefit of roundtrip fares (LAX -LHR // LHR-HNL), but when you select economy, then it has to insert a fare break at LAX, and you need either a roundtrip LAX-LHR fare that allows an end-on-end construction with LAX-HNL in Y, or you need three one-way fares that are mutually combinable. Based on the price, I'm guessing you got the latter.
UA is well aware that nobody would buy the J/JY ticket that way.
UA is well aware that nobody would buy the J/JY ticket that way.
Mar 9, 2023, 8:43 am
#246
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It's less of a glitch and more of a combinability quirk. Basically, by selecting Polaris, you get the benefit of roundtrip fares (LAX -LHR // LHR-HNL), but when you select economy, then it has to insert a fare break at LAX, and you need either a roundtrip LAX-LHR fare that allows an end-on-end construction with LAX-HNL in Y, or you need three one-way fares that are mutually combinable. Based on the price, I'm guessing you got the latter.
UA is well aware that nobody would buy the J/JY ticket that way.
UA is well aware that nobody would buy the J/JY ticket that way.
Mar 9, 2023, 9:33 am
#248
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Mar 10, 2023, 9:15 am
#249
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Once again, TPAC trip on United was pricing way out of line compared to others. Really wondering if my 1K renewal is at risk for the first time in a decade.
Mar 10, 2023, 2:29 pm
#251
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It's starting to feel like that for me. I'm seriously considering just flying enough to be Gold and that's it. There's still plenty of time left in 2023, but things don't look good at the moment. UA's tpac pricing is insane.
Mar 10, 2023, 2:50 pm
#252
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High prices, along with astronomical award pricing, has really shot 1k value for me.
Mar 10, 2023, 3:00 pm
#253
Join Date: Feb 2015
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 957
I have my 1MM, so lifetime Gold. Now wondering if I should shoot for AA status, as that seems to be where a lot of my flying is ending up, along with other One World airlines on Intl trips. It is either that, or true free agency.
High prices, along with astronomical award pricing, has really shot 1k value for me.
High prices, along with astronomical award pricing, has really shot 1k value for me.
Mar 10, 2023, 3:06 pm
#254
Join Date: Sep 2006
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I see these posts and sometimes I'll plug in a random date - I get very different pricing, for instance ORD-SEA rt Jul 12-19 I get $578 - although in my opinion, it is way too early to be buying this kind of trip this far out (early to mid-June will probably have the best pricing for a mid-July trip)