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
May 17, 2024, 7:31 am
#616
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 14,617
Looking now for today, there are ~12 seats total for sale on UA LAX-SFO (all day) so I assume you saw full Y or close to it. Unlike many other short-haul markets UA of course competes O&D on SFO-LAX but not going to give the last seat on what could be a long-haul connection for a song.
May 29, 2024, 1:26 pm
#617
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: San Francisco
Programs: UA MM Plat, UA 1MM, Hilton Lifetime Gold, Marriott Gold, Hertz Gold, CLEAR, AS MVP Gold
Posts: 3,665
Got another good one. Family member wanted to meet me in Cor De Laine ID for the 4th.
SFO-GEG 7/2 and back on 7/7 with a stop in DEN (not the direct flight) $1400 (coach of course). The same ticket on miles was north of 100K. Needless to say he isn't going. To be fair other carriers were not much better.
SFO-GEG 7/2 and back on 7/7 with a stop in DEN (not the direct flight) $1400 (coach of course). The same ticket on miles was north of 100K. Needless to say he isn't going. To be fair other carriers were not much better.
Last edited by nomad420; May 29, 2024 at 1:43 pm
May 29, 2024, 1:32 pm
#618
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,779
Got another good one. Family member wanted to meet me in Cor De Laine ID for the 4th.
SFO-GEG 7/2 and back on 7/7 with a stop in DEN (not the direct flight) $1400 (coach of course). The same ticket on miles was north of 100K. Needless to say he isn't going. To be fair other carriers were not a whole lot better.
SFO-GEG 7/2 and back on 7/7 with a stop in DEN (not the direct flight) $1400 (coach of course). The same ticket on miles was north of 100K. Needless to say he isn't going. To be fair other carriers were not a whole lot better.
May 29, 2024, 1:49 pm
#619
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: San Francisco
Programs: UA MM Plat, UA 1MM, Hilton Lifetime Gold, Marriott Gold, Hertz Gold, CLEAR, AS MVP Gold
Posts: 3,665
Appreciate the prompt feedback. That was not the case on the NS a few days ago. But at $750 for the NS now he will probably grab it. Just called him and thanks again.