long shot fare question - will UA fare match other carrier's fare?
OK - so i need to go to Dubai on short notice. I am in ORD, so there is a nonstop EK flight there. Being GS on UA, I want to try to stay on UA. There is a flight through FRA that I could do, but the airfare is double EK's. Long-shot question: would UA fare match? I can justify 10 to 15% fare difference, but not double.
(Note, the ORD / FRA flight is empty, in case your wondering). |
I doubt they would even entertain the thought, if I’m honest.
|
The challenge is the reps on the phone have no control over this even if they wanted. They would need the pricing/revenue team to manually reprice and that team typically only entertains exceptions if there is a fare mistake or other issue driving it - not competitive factors.
Best bet would be seeing if there are any combinations of travel that would allow you to get a lower price (e.g. separately buying the United RT to FRA and the RT to Dubai from Frankfurt, changing the length of the trip, etc.). |
UA has not traditionally fare match but as a GS you can give it a try -- as mentioned the front line agent will have to get approval from others. Only by calling will you get an answer (or if with a large corporation, via the UA corporate contact),keep expectations low.
|
Originally Posted by n8-the-gr8
(Post 33043584)
The challenge is the reps on the phone have no control over this even if they wanted. They would need the pricing/revenue team to manually reprice and that team typically only entertains exceptions if there is a fare mistake or other issue driving it - not competitive factors.
Best bet would be seeing if there are any combinations of travel that would allow you to get a lower price (e.g. separately buying the United RT to FRA and the RT to Dubai from Frankfurt, changing the length of the trip, etc.). |
Talk to a travel agent. They may have access to better fares or proprietary matching programs. I would be surprised to see them match EK, but it's not impossible.
|
Originally Posted by n8-the-gr8
(Post 33043584)
The challenge is the reps on the phone have no control over this even if they wanted. They would need the pricing/revenue team to manually reprice and that team typically only entertains exceptions if there is a fare mistake or other issue driving it - not competitive factors.
Best bet would be seeing if there are any combinations of travel that would allow you to get a lower price (e.g. separately buying the United RT to FRA and the RT to Dubai from Frankfurt, changing the length of the trip, etc.). |
If you fly via FRA, do you have authority to enter Germany? On separate tickets, doubtful that UA will permit boarding.
In any event, during the pandemic, nonstop is almost always preferable to anything direct or a connection. Every segment is a potential complication which has to be carefully analyzed and with fewer options, simple IRROPS can lead to lengthy delays. |
Originally Posted by nyr2299
(Post 33043710)
I took a look at this - the fares to FRA are more than if i booked it through to DUB.
|
Originally Posted by LondonElite
(Post 33043757)
Not to be the spelling police but I imagine you mean DXB. DUB is Dublin.
|
These days, non-stop trumps all other considerations.
So - non-stop plus 50% cheaper - what is there to think about> |
I doubt you'll have much success. United has historically had a pretty generous fare match program for travel agents against AA and DL fares, but in my experience it only worked on wholly United-operated itineraries, and I haven't seen one that works for EK fares. (I'm honestly not sure if it's even still active at the moment.)
|
All times are GMT -6. The time now is 4:30 pm. |
This site is owned, operated, and maintained by MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Designated trademarks are the property of their respective owners.