Fare Bucket for Military/Government ticket
#61
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Washington, D.C.
Programs: UA Premier 1K: PlAAtinum; DL SM, MM; Marriott Gold; CO Plat Emeritus; NW Plat Emeritus
Posts: 4,776
Despite what the site says, the actual difference between a YCA and an -CA on this route is only $100 ($1300 vs $1400) and I only changed my departure date one day, well within my rights when PCSing especially when I was originally booked to depart at 0700 the same morning I was supposed to check out of my command.
In the case of officers, it is completely up to the service member when they choose to detach their command. The orders only state which month and year to detach the old command and attach to their new command.
You made pretty clear that the lower fare day met mission needs. YMMV but my travel or ethics people would eat my lunch if I told them I was doing this.
#62
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 57,255
Well, FTRs dictate that "Note 3 to 301-10.107: If the Government contract citypair carrier offers a lower cost capacity-controlled coach class contract fare (MCA, QCA, VCA, etc.) in addition to the unrestricted coach class contract fares (YCA), the traveler should use the lower cost capacity-controlled fare when it is available and meet mission needs."
You made pretty clear that the lower fare day met mission needs. YMMV but my travel or ethics people would eat my lunch if I told them I was doing this.
You made pretty clear that the lower fare day met mission needs. YMMV but my travel or ethics people would eat my lunch if I told them I was doing this.
#63
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Washington, D.C.
Programs: UA Premier 1K: PlAAtinum; DL SM, MM; Marriott Gold; CO Plat Emeritus; NW Plat Emeritus
Posts: 4,776
I'll leave it here, I've said my bit.
#64
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, AA, DL
Posts: 7,404
But that's the reverse of what we're discussing. Poster's originally-preferred date was cheaper, he's changing preferred date to make it more expensive. I'm pretty sure he/she wouldn't go to ethics counsel and say they're doing that.
I'll leave it here, I've said my bit.
I'll leave it here, I've said my bit.
#66
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, AA, DL
Posts: 7,404
With a Y fare you can make any change anyway - it's fully flexible. If you don't get Y credit I would call and request.
#67
Join Date: Nov 2012
Programs: BA Bronze, United 1K, HH Gold, SPG Platinum, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 3,477
In my experience, that only happens for instant upgrades and only happens in the app. It will let you confirm the upgrade, but when you get ticketed, it will revert back to economy and your AO will get a nastygram from SATO saying that you should not have upgraded.
You should be able to select an E+ seat once booked via the United website. Maybe none available, the CRJ200 only has 4 E+ seats on the whole aircraft (first row). Have you tried calling the United government desk?
The preferred seat that I wanted on the CR2 was still available: an exit row seat next to my wife.
#68
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Ventura
Programs: Gov't Travel Aficionado, UA Plat
Posts: 270
You will keep your original fare class (you need to have the same fare class available on the new flight in order to do a SDC after all), and if your new routing is longer, you get additional PQMs. Your AO shouldn't care as they only see what was ticketed, not what was flown. However, if you SDC to a different day you should clear it with your AO as you will be changing your per-diem allotments.
My trip got ticketed yesterday. As you told me, I lost my upgrade in that one segment that I was upgraded in the app. I immediately checked but there was no PN space. This morning, I again got the message in the app about the upgrade for that segment. I took it. Is it now good or will I lose it again?
The preferred seat that I wanted on the CR2 was still available: an exit row seat next to my wife.
The preferred seat that I wanted on the CR2 was still available: an exit row seat next to my wife.
#69
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 147
I would prefer to book my travel on United for my upcoming trip, and when going through DTS, the City Pair shows United as the cheapest City Pair, but when you scroll to the "Alternative Option", there are cheaper options on Delta. I'm sure the AO will push me to those.
I am more than willing to pay the difference to fly United, but on DTS it either books into S or Y, and the Y fares are obviously way more expensive. Is it possible to book outside of DTS (so I have access to other fare classes) and still be reimbursed for what the gov't would have spent on my ticket?
I am more than willing to pay the difference to fly United, but on DTS it either books into S or Y, and the Y fares are obviously way more expensive. Is it possible to book outside of DTS (so I have access to other fare classes) and still be reimbursed for what the gov't would have spent on my ticket?
#70
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: UA 1K 1MM, AA, DL
Posts: 7,404
I would prefer to book my travel on United for my upcoming trip, and when going through DTS, the City Pair shows United as the cheapest City Pair, but when you scroll to the "Alternative Option", there are cheaper options on Delta. I'm sure the AO will push me to those.
I am more than willing to pay the difference to fly United, but on DTS it either books into S or Y, and the Y fares are obviously way more expensive. Is it possible to book outside of DTS (so I have access to other fare classes) and still be reimbursed for what the gov't would have spent on my ticket?
I am more than willing to pay the difference to fly United, but on DTS it either books into S or Y, and the Y fares are obviously way more expensive. Is it possible to book outside of DTS (so I have access to other fare classes) and still be reimbursed for what the gov't would have spent on my ticket?
Often there's pressure to use the contract carrier in such circumstances despite cheaper alternatives because the contract carrier wants protection from cherry picking use of the contract only when other flights are more expensive.
#71
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: SAN
Programs: 1K (since 2008), *G (since 1990), 1MM
Posts: 3,213
This is all new to me and I have read the thread but still not certain.
My son is travelling on orders and will be flying United but told me he is not allowed to input his FF number as it is a government paid flight. Is that true?
My son is travelling on orders and will be flying United but told me he is not allowed to input his FF number as it is a government paid flight. Is that true?
#72
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Ventura
Programs: Gov't Travel Aficionado, UA Plat
Posts: 270
That is absolutely false. You son will be provided a United confirmation number (or he could use his travel authorization code) once the flight is confirmed. He can plug that number into United find reservation and from there he can associate his MileagePlus information with that reservation.
#73
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: YYZ
Programs: HHonors Gold, AC Altitude 35K, AAdvantage, SkyMiles, Bonvoy Silver and a few more
Posts: 563
Am I able to fly YYZ- KOA and then HNL-YYZ (multi-city) on a DTS fare ? Looks like United is the carrier of choice, but could I use AC on the HNL-YYZ trip ? Also, I would be paying my own way KOA-HNL. As always, thanks for answering my questions.
Last edited by flying chef; Mar 12, 2024 at 6:10 am Reason: spelling mistake
#74
Join Date: Aug 2021
Location: IAD
Programs: UA Plat, HH Diamond, Supersonic (BA1Y, BA1223)
Posts: 215
Beyond that, I'd say it probably just depends on what your approver allows.
Yes, I did see UA as the preferred on both of those itineraries, but YYZ doesnt show up in the GSA City Pairs program....
#75
Join Date: Jan 2024
Posts: 71
Unless you qualify under one of the exceptions youll have to abide by the Fly America Act.