Feb 28, 2021, 12:23 pm
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
Archive thread, active thread is
Consolidated "Why is this UA fare so expensive?" thread
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.
Consolidated "Why is this UA fare so expensive?" thread
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.
Consolidated "Why is this fare so expensive?" Thread [Archive]
Jan 16, 2019, 12:14 pm
#1471
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,386
Is purchasing two separate round-trips against United rules? Will I have to exit the terminal, pick up bags and check back in, or can I get United to "through-check" their own passenger's bags? I did google it and it sounds like they will interline their own and star alliance tickets, but not non-*A partners.
The downside is that if your first flight is delayed, and you miss your second flight, UA does not necessarily have an obligation to get you to your final destination In practice, they have a good reputation for doing so when both tickets are for UA flights, but understand that you're relying on their goodwill in this case.
Jan 16, 2019, 12:37 pm
#1472
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 14,404
I see plenty of P fares, choosing some random dates in May. Do you have a Saturday night stay?
Jan 16, 2019, 12:43 pm
#1473
Join Date: Mar 2018
Posts: 47
For one trip I have a Saturday stay and those fares have more fare options - that's a 6 day trip. The other trip, I've looked with and without a Saturday stay (a 4 day trip) and that's only showing D for me.
Jan 16, 2019, 12:53 pm
#1474
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 14,404
Jan 26, 2019, 5:22 pm
#1476
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 129
Of potential interest, one can book an economy fare and get a somewhat reasonable upgrade offer -- on par with the mint. Of course, these do not count for PQD, but I was not aware an upgrade was possible without an underlying fare.
Feb 7, 2019, 1:47 pm
#1477
Join Date: May 2007
Programs: UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 5,447
Feb 7, 2019, 11:36 pm
#1480
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: CLE
Programs: UA Gold, DL DM, UA 1K, MR PP
Posts: 352
PHX - DUB seems to always force a B fare for me when I search. I can find ~$1,100 RT W or ~$550 RT K from ORD, EWR, or IAD on redeye flights that I absolutely could make the connection on a morning flight from PHX but if the origin is PHX the base fare is generally ~3K + for Y.
If I were to book PHX to ORD with 4+ hours until ORD - DUB on a separate ticket, and PHX to ORD was delayed or canceled, would I be protected as if it was a connection (assuming all UA metal). Also 1K if that makes a difference (although it probably shouldn't here).
If I were to book PHX to ORD with 4+ hours until ORD - DUB on a separate ticket, and PHX to ORD was delayed or canceled, would I be protected as if it was a connection (assuming all UA metal). Also 1K if that makes a difference (although it probably shouldn't here).
Feb 8, 2019, 12:12 am
#1481
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,386
Not officially, no. UA is generally willing to work with people in this situation (assuming all UA metal, as you state). 1K status probably does help. That said, there are no guarantees; if someone refuses to help you, your only recourse is to look for someone else. Officially, you will have no-shown the second ticket.
Feb 8, 2019, 9:03 am
#1482
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 129
I should note I haven't bought any of these, so haven't seen them post, but the T&C are clear, and buying up with an agent is the full differential to $1900. These buyups are a decent price, but I refuse to play the game where I give United more money without getting status credit for it.
Feb 8, 2019, 9:30 am
#1483
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: New Jersey
Programs: UA MM 1K, AA MM Gold, Marriott LT Platinum
Posts: 3,235
J fares on flights through FRA continue to be sky-high vs LH. Here's a Monday-Friday trip in March. The UA flight shows available fare classes: J9 JN9 C9 D8 Z4 ZN4 P0 PN0 PZ0, $6761 for a Z fare vs a $2831 LH code share showing J4 C4 D4 Z4 P4. In other words, UA only half-booked more than 2x LH with only 4 seats.
Feb 8, 2019, 9:33 am
#1484
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,386
Feb 8, 2019, 10:47 am
#1485
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: New Jersey
Programs: UA MM 1K, AA MM Gold, Marriott LT Platinum
Posts: 3,235
Good to know. Still, it's strange to see a code share at such a discount to their own fare. And of course the choice of a LH 748 vs a UA 764 is a no-brainer in J.