UA summer fares have significantly increased, will that continue into the future?
Jun 24, 2021, 11:13 pm
#46
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: AS 75K, DL Silver, UA Platinum, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Platinum + LT Gold
Posts: 10,503
Flying TATL to/from Madrid may be cheaper than other Europe destinations. However, once you'd consider the additional fares of intra-Europe travel to/from the ultimate destination, any savings may be wiped out.
Jun 26, 2021, 1:26 pm
#47
Join Date: Jan 2018
Programs: UA LT GS | UA LT Club | Marriott LT Titanium
Posts: 1,250
Can someone explain to me why SFO-LHR-SFO is pricing out at $1600 in economy when the entire outbound flight is empty and the return significantly empty as well?
It's pricing at a Q fare even though every fare class is open. W9, L9, K9, etc...
The fare should be 1/2 this price.
Fare classes
Outbound seat map
Return seat map
It's pricing at a Q fare even though every fare class is open. W9, L9, K9, etc...
The fare should be 1/2 this price.
Fare classes
Outbound seat map
Return seat map
Jun 26, 2021, 1:37 pm
#48
Join Date: Oct 2009
Programs: UA 1K, Hilton ♦ , Hyatt Carbonado, Wyndham ♦, Marriott PE, "Stinking Bum" elsewhere.
Posts: 4,998
Can someone explain to me why SFO-LHR-SFO is pricing out at $1600 in economy when the entire outbound flight is empty and the return significantly empty as well?
It's pricing at a Q fare even though every fare class is open. W9, L9, K9, etc...
The fare should be 1/2 this price.
Return seat map
It's pricing at a Q fare even though every fare class is open. W9, L9, K9, etc...
The fare should be 1/2 this price.
Return seat map
Edit: Sorry, I didn't notice you were inside 21 days. That explains it.
Last edited by zombietooth; Jun 26, 2021 at 3:37 pm
Jun 26, 2021, 2:48 pm
#49
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.995MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,854
Lower fares if filed have 21 or more days advance purchase requirement?
Consulting expertflyer
No files fares below W
W fares have 90 day AP
V fares have 90/20 day AP
The cheapest 14 day AP is an expensive Q fare
Consulting expertflyer
No files fares below W
W fares have 90 day AP
V fares have 90/20 day AP
The cheapest 14 day AP is an expensive Q fare
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Jun 26, 2021 at 2:57 pm Reason: APs
Jun 26, 2021, 3:40 pm
#50
Join Date: Oct 2009
Programs: UA 1K, Hilton ♦ , Hyatt Carbonado, Wyndham ♦, Marriott PE, "Stinking Bum" elsewhere.
Posts: 4,998
Welcome to the Future.
On a general note; with inflation hitting labor costs, fuel and industrial/infrastructure commodities harder than I've seen it since the 70's, you should expect airfares to increase for the foreseeable future.
Jun 27, 2021, 10:04 am
#51
Join Date: Jul 2016
Programs: UA Gold
Posts: 107
Is UA getting these fares? I'm trying to decide when to book AMS-NYC-AMS RT for a wedding (out Thurs August 12, return Mon August 16), ideally all in J. Been watching it since before the EU was open to Americans when it was $2k for the RT in J (clearly should have bought then). UA's now asking for $6.5k for the RT with J9 on both legs and an empty looking seat map. I keep thinking the price will drop again if I wait, since with J9 UA will want to get butts in the seats, but maybe UA is getting the last minute fares so I should just pull the trigger now...
Oh hindsight, always being 20/20!
Oh hindsight, always being 20/20!
Jun 27, 2021, 10:09 am
#52
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: AS 75K, DL Silver, UA Platinum, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Platinum + LT Gold
Posts: 10,503
Is UA getting these fares? I'm trying to decide when to book AMS-NYC-AMS RT for a wedding (out Thurs August 12, return Mon August 16), ideally all in J. Been watching it since before the EU was open to Americans when it was $2k for the RT in J (clearly should have bought then). UA's now asking for $6.5k for the RT with J9 on both legs and an empty looking seat map. I keep thinking the price will drop again if I wait, since with J9 UA will want to get butts in the seats, but maybe UA is getting the last minute fares so I should just pull the trigger now...
Oh hindsight, always being 20/20!
Oh hindsight, always being 20/20!
Jun 27, 2021, 10:10 am
#53
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.995MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,854
Is UA getting these fares? I'm trying to decide when to book AMS-NYC-AMS RT for a wedding (out Thurs August 12, return Mon August 16), ideally all in J. Been watching it since before the EU was open to Americans when it was $2k for the RT in J (clearly should have bought then). UA's now asking for $6.5k for the RT with J9 on both legs and an empty looking seat map. I keep thinking the price will drop again if I wait, since with J9 UA will want to get butts in the seats, but maybe UA is getting the last minute fares so I should just pull the trigger now... ....
Jun 27, 2021, 11:17 am
#54
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Indianapolis
Programs: UA GS 2MM
Posts: 18
Last week the average price for United Business class to many European destinations was about $2300 - I purchased 3 Bus class trips at that price - I was going to book one to London last week and thought OK do it next week...the exact same tkt is $9775 today - and to berlin in August (I paid $2300 a few weeks ago) its $9,900.....what happened - the planes were pretty empty....???
Jun 27, 2021, 11:24 am
#55
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,406
Last week the average price for United Business class to many European destinations was about $2300 - I purchased 3 Bus class trips at that price - I was going to book one to London last week and thought OK do it next week...the exact same tkt is $9775 today - and to berlin in August (I paid $2300 a few weeks ago) its $9,900.....what happened - the planes were pretty empty....???
Jun 27, 2021, 3:04 pm
#56
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Palm Desert, CA
Programs: UA Lifetime Plat; 2 MM; Amex Rewards; Hyatt Plat; Marriott Plat.
Posts: 259
It's not just summer. I checked today for R/T Palm Springs-SFO in late May, 2022. Fares usually $225-$300 but today it priced at $840 for coach for multiple dates. Alaska, for same dates and approximate times, shows just over $200 each way for F. Not a tough decision.
Jun 27, 2021, 4:03 pm
#57
Join Date: Jul 2013
Programs: DYKWIA, But I'm a "Diamond Guest" UA 1K/2MM
Posts: 2,257
I've been booking a ton of Alaska F tickets lately; they're often cheaper than United "economy" fares and of course, the service is 100X better. After I hit 2 million United miles (early next year), 80% of my ~$50K annual United spend will be going to other airlines. I used to be captive in MFR, but thankfully no longer!
Jun 27, 2021, 10:21 pm
#58
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: SFO
Programs: Free agent, UA 1K, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 353
I've had good luck finding P fares for SFO-JFK-SFO during the summer and into early Fall. I booked SFO-JFK in P for $600 and the return for 50k miles (July). And SFO-JFK is definitely cheaper than SFO-EWR in my experience, which makes me worried about the longevity of this flight, especially with the high J 763 config.
+1 to this. For short haul domestic AS F has been cheaper than UA Y for many itineraries I've been booking/researching.
I've been booking a ton of Alaska F tickets lately; they're often cheaper than United "economy" fares and of course, the service is 100X better. After I hit 2 million United miles (early next year), 80% of my ~$50K annual United spend will be going to other airlines. I used to be captive in MFR, but thankfully no longer!
Jun 28, 2021, 1:38 am
#59
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: UA GS 2MM
Posts: 947
Is UA getting these fares? I'm trying to decide when to book AMS-NYC-AMS RT for a wedding (out Thurs August 12, return Mon August 16), ideally all in J. Been watching it since before the EU was open to Americans when it was $2k for the RT in J (clearly should have bought then). UA's now asking for $6.5k for the RT with J9 on both legs and an empty looking seat map. I keep thinking the price will drop again if I wait, since with J9 UA will want to get butts in the seats, but maybe UA is getting the last minute fares so I should just pull the trigger now...
Oh hindsight, always being 20/20!
Oh hindsight, always being 20/20!
Jun 28, 2021, 5:47 am
#60
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2021
Posts: 22
zspitzer - presumably you can enter the US, right? TATL is still affected by the US travel ban. Those flights are running very low occupancy and UA seems to be making it up with $$$ fares.