Problem booking open jaw?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: WAS (IAD/DCA/BWI)
Posts: 40
Problem booking open jaw?
My mother-in-law just tried to book (with United agent on the phone) an open jaw SFO-IAD, then EWR-SFO in business for a trip next month. The agent (and later her supervisor) couldn't book this as an open jaw in business and could only offer two one way tickets. The supervisor actually told her to try Expedia.
I tried looking/booking it as an open jaw for her on united.com and it showed zero availability for the EWR-SFO leg, even though there is plenty availability when booking one way for that leg.
I'm no expert, but I've never come across that before. I've seen prices shoot up for some open jaws, but I've never seen an airline not allow them at all. Is this unusual or am I just out of touch?
BTW, she was NOT trying to get an award ticket.
I tried looking/booking it as an open jaw for her on united.com and it showed zero availability for the EWR-SFO leg, even though there is plenty availability when booking one way for that leg.
I'm no expert, but I've never come across that before. I've seen prices shoot up for some open jaws, but I've never seen an airline not allow them at all. Is this unusual or am I just out of touch?
BTW, she was NOT trying to get an award ticket.
#3
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#4
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What are the dates involved? I assume she's looking at the nonstop flights?
#5
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Yeah I bet the premium t-con (EWR-SFO) fare rules prohibit that combination.
Most of the time I prefer to book one-ways anyway.
Most of the time I prefer to book one-ways anyway.
#6
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Roundtrip (1 traveler)Edit search
Thu, Oct 10, 2019Revise
SFO - IAD 9:30 am - 5:38 pm
Thu, Oct 17, 2019Revise
EWR - SFO 7:00 am - 10:11 am
Fare
$1,846.51
Taxes and fees
$167.09
TOTAL
$2,013.60
pretty straight forward on UA.com
Thu, Oct 10, 2019Revise
SFO - IAD 9:30 am - 5:38 pm
Thu, Oct 17, 2019Revise
EWR - SFO 7:00 am - 10:11 am
Fare
$1,846.51
Taxes and fees
$167.09
TOTAL
$2,013.60
pretty straight forward on UA.com
#7
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SEA
Programs: UA MP (1K, 1MM)
Posts: 268
I'm seeing some oddities in trying to book open jaw tickets lately as well, but I think it has to do more with fares that were incorrectly loaded. Fortunately one-way tickets [for the most part] are priced sensibly.
I have noticed on a number of int'l flights where PP is currently not being sold but may be in the future the fares seem to book into Y/B class. Calling up an agent to book the flights usually clears this issue up. YMMV.
I have noticed on a number of int'l flights where PP is currently not being sold but may be in the future the fares seem to book into Y/B class. Calling up an agent to book the flights usually clears this issue up. YMMV.
#8
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I am guessing. So I can be wrong.
I believe it may have something to do with non-p.s. route (SFO-IAD) and p.s. route (EWR-SFO). UA may construct the fare in a way that prohibits the existence of this fare.
I believe it may have something to do with non-p.s. route (SFO-IAD) and p.s. route (EWR-SFO). UA may construct the fare in a way that prohibits the existence of this fare.
#12
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Somewhat similar experience.
Tried to book BOS-EWR-FCO, PVG-EWR-BOS, United asks for $3000+ Y fare.
However, it's $570 for BOS-EWR-FCO, $770 for PVG-EWR-BOS in W class if booked as one-ways.
I was able to book this as one PNR for $1300 several months ago, but not now.
Advantage to book as one ticket: if I need to cancel or change both dates, I only need to pay one change fee instead of two.
Tried to book BOS-EWR-FCO, PVG-EWR-BOS, United asks for $3000+ Y fare.
However, it's $570 for BOS-EWR-FCO, $770 for PVG-EWR-BOS in W class if booked as one-ways.
I was able to book this as one PNR for $1300 several months ago, but not now.
Advantage to book as one ticket: if I need to cancel or change both dates, I only need to pay one change fee instead of two.
#13
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However, if the one-way fares were combinable with each other, you could price it as two one-ways on one PNR even though it's not a valid open jaw. It's just that UA likes to play around with its combinability rules.
#14
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: WAS (IAD/DCA/BWI)
Posts: 40
It wasn't straightforward on UA.com when I tried outbound 9/12 and return on 9/18 (or 9/17).
For those who think I am incapable of using united.com. This is what happens when you try to get the EWR-SFO segment on 9/17 or 9/18 even though there is actually business availability.
For those who think I am incapable of using united.com. This is what happens when you try to get the EWR-SFO segment on 9/17 or 9/18 even though there is actually business availability.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Aug 14, 2019 at 3:00 pm Reason: merging consecutive posts by same member
#15
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Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,400
There's an odd combinability restriction. If you select the cheaper outbound flight, you'll get return options in business class. The outbound that you've selected is in J class, and there doesn't appear to be a return flight that can combine with an outbound J fare.