Fare Not Combinable?
 

Tried booking a roundtrip ticket - outbound UA and return TK, and was told that the fares are not combinable and that United can't book TK flights. HU. Notice the flight even though there's no price and wasn't ticketed was saved under my reservations and has a confirmation #. HUACA. This time I am told it's not ticketable because 1) the TK flight doesn't exist (not true in fact they fly this route multiple times a day). 2) Not combinable. 3) UA can't book TK over the water?

Anyone able to explain to me what actually happened?

Perhaps the fares aren't combinable?

Many airlines have plating restrictions on their cheap fares.

Not without more specifics. But it's likely because most TK TATL fares cannot be issued on UA ticket stock.

What class of service? What route? How did you find the fare, and how much did you expect it to cost?

Most discount UA fares have restrictions that limit combinability with other fares, and most restrict the overwater flight to UA or a joint-venture partner. (TK isn't).

UA most certainly can book TK flights. That doesn't mean they are able to book all TK fares, but they have the ability to book flights, i.e., there should be an interline agreement for UA to sell.

It's likely one of the following:
- Agent was being truthful, and for whatever reason, the UA/TK fares you wanted aren't combinable. Very possible, especially since it seems two different agents said this
- TK has a plating restriction on the fare you were looking for - and UA can't book the fare you want, but can book a full fare (very common with a number of partners these days)

Op - try to recreate it with google flights. See if it will transfer you to the Ua site to book it.

Strange, but if that's the rule...

Business Class. I found the fare on ITA, but never was able to get ITA to put both of them together. Separately the outbound was 2,000 on United and the return on United was $7,000. I found a TK flight that had the outbound 3,000 and return for $2,000 so I was trying to combine the fares.

No luck, the second I choose the TK flight, all the other flight options disappear.





Not the end of the world, but was frustrating. I'm trying to use all the Flyertalk tricks I learn, and then I run into road blocks like this. I never received a price for the flight, but the difference between all TK and all United was 4K.

Therein lies the problem. Not combinable, as you've seen.

I don't mean to be overly sarcastic, but 2 agents said it wasn't combinable. Several on this thread pointed that out. Then everyone came up w many hypothesis and tricks...but the simple answer is probably it - the fare just isn't combinable.

I don't think you're being "overly sarcastic" at all. It wasn't until the OP's clarification right before my response that the fare construction was made clear.

Pretty plain and simple to me.

What does ITA say? If you can get the fare created there, it's a good bet somebody can issue it.

Or just book two one ways???

The OP already noted that doesn't work.
Very unlikely to price well. Typically international premium tickets don't do that sort of thing well.

That's because the TK discount J fares can only be issued on TK stock.

People blame UA for this, it's not UA's call. If you see a very cheap business class fare, and it's not one of the JV partners, chances are it can't be purchased on UA stock. Same is true for the cheap SK TATL fares.