Google Flights coding issue causing unusual pricing when booking some fare classes.
Jan 19, 2022 | 7:31 pm
#2
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This can happen when economy is unrestricted and First has restriction
That said there is someting funny with the first E+ result. E+ is never that more expensive and the second refundable E is cheaper. Google Flight result problem???with pricing E+
That said there is someting funny with the first E+ result. E+ is never that more expensive and the second refundable E is cheaper. Google Flight result problem???with pricing E+
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Jan 19, 2022 at 8:01 pm
Jan 19, 2022 | 7:52 pm
#4
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Looks like a Google flight coding issue. I attempted to recreate the issue, and when I click through to book, the "Economy Plus" fare is booked into B, hence explained the outrageous pricing. And it indeed allowed me to pick E+ seats for no additional cost. Granted, it's probably cheaper to buy the lowest fare and buy up to E+.
Jan 19, 2022 | 10:47 pm
#5
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There have been some recent reports that B, Y fares include E+ access. Some sample bookings confirm this does occur.
UA experimented with something similar in 2019 and this may be a new iteration
Additional PremPlus tickets book into B fare with E+ access when on a non-PremPlus aircraft
Generally it is cheaper to purchase a lower fare and add E+ access
UA experimented with something similar in 2019 and this may be a new iteration
Additional PremPlus tickets book into B fare with E+ access when on a non-PremPlus aircraft
Generally it is cheaper to purchase a lower fare and add E+ access
Jan 20, 2022 | 8:45 am
#6
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I have continued to see Premium Economy-type B-differential fares (as in the linked thread) published in select domestic markets on-and-off.
Evidently, someone at Google thinks B means Economy Plus now, even though CVG-MHT isn't priced for it.
Evidently, someone at Google thinks B means Economy Plus now, even though CVG-MHT isn't priced for it.
Jan 20, 2022 | 9:10 am
#7
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Delta uses similar "branded" fare products for it's Comfort Plus fares with underlying coach class fare basis codes. But it has dedicated W and S booking classes for their C+ fares (not to be confused with UA W and S classes which are just regular coach classes). There is a dual inventory check (there must be both inventory in both underlying coach fare basis class, as well as W or S booking class which the fare books into) when booking these fares. The dual inventory check helps fares from getting "upside down" (Main Cabin is more than E+/C+). However, dual inventory checking won't help when there are no E+/C+ fares filed on the through route and you need to book a broken fare in order to book E+/C+ seats on itin.
Last edited by xliioper; Jan 20, 2022 at 10:52 am
Jan 20, 2022 | 11:31 am
#8
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I'm not sure that they think B means E+. The fares that I find in this market that book into W/B carry a ZOA fare type code (PE OW APEX). If Google searches by fare type, they'd correctly identify these fares as E+ fares, regardless of fare class.
Jan 20, 2022 | 11:31 am
#9
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Oh interesting, so Google actually knows the fare type and uses the fare break, odd.
Yes, the UA fares are dual-inventory validation and use B as the primary rbd along with a rule (I think) that PE type fares get free E+. As noted in the other thread, it's a mess on domestic routes which actually sell PE, where the fares are not to be confused with PE-type fares with an O/A/R primary (O in seventh position) and an option to delegate to B.
Yes, the UA fares are dual-inventory validation and use B as the primary rbd along with a rule (I think) that PE type fares get free E+. As noted in the other thread, it's a mess on domestic routes which actually sell PE, where the fares are not to be confused with PE-type fares with an O/A/R primary (O in seventh position) and an option to delegate to B.
Jan 20, 2022 | 11:34 am
#10
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The fare type code could be easily used to identify E+ entitlement, but UA could apply another rule as well.
Jan 20, 2022 | 12:45 pm
#11
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TEven though UA website calls these "B" fares, they do not actually appear to be B booking class fares (unless they just book all Economy Plus fares into B booking class) . When I looked up the fare basis codes when I tried it, they were a combination WAA2OFIN and SAA2AFIN fares. The "I" in the second to last character of the fare basis code identifies it as an Economy Plus fare.
Jan 20, 2022 | 1:19 pm
#12
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Okay, thanks for confirmation. Not really familiar with UA Economy Plus fares as I'm mostly familiar DL C+ fares which book into dedicated W/S classes. It just seemed odd to book into B which is normally just a higher coach class fare right below Y. I suppose this would have qualified them for higher PQM earn back when UA had PQMs. DL W/S C+ fares don't earn a MQM bonus.
Jan 20, 2022 | 4:54 pm
#13
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Jan 21, 2022 | 6:07 am
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I was a Reservations Sales Representative (RSR) at SFORR from 1985-87, but we didn't have that fare basis code component back then.