What's the appropriate price for a transcon?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2005
Programs: United Premier 1K
Posts: 738
Moderator (l'etoile) note: This discussion sprang from http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=677761. As it got away from the topic of that thread and took on a life of its own, it seemed more appropriate to give it its own thread. I've tried not to make any edits to posts, but if I have, they've been for purposes of continuity. So the topic becomes: What price is appropriate to pay to fly United on a transcon ...A reminder also to keep to the topic while avoiding name calling. Carry on ...
$400 RT transcon is pretty good--I think it might be time for people in the US to adjust what a "fair" or "good" airfare really is.
$400 RT transcon is pretty good--I think it might be time for people in the US to adjust what a "fair" or "good" airfare really is.
Last edited by l etoile; Apr 1, 2007 at 8:09 am
#2
Join Date: Feb 2004
Programs: AA 'kettle', Marriott Gold, ICH Gld, Hertz 5*
Posts: 5,258
I like a 234.00 transcon much better
Pat
Pat
Last edited by l etoile; Apr 1, 2007 at 8:06 am
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 23,999
I assume you are kidding. You must be! Let me make sure I understand what you are saying: If someone pays the price that is offered for a product, without any negotiation whatsoever they are "ripping off the airline" and "freaking losers?" Maybe next time when I see UA offer a certain price on a route I should not accept it and tell them I would like to donate an extra $100 because I don't think they are charging enough? Wow, I thought I had seen it all here on FT!
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 23,999
I still don't see how anyone is "ripping off the airline." Some people gripe, sure, but that applies to anything. How is anyone ripping off the airline by paying the price that they offer?
#6
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: UA, AA
Posts: 4,039
So we're sure here that the marginal cost of flying one extra person and his/her baggage across the continent is greater than $234?
#8
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: LAX
Programs: UA Silver, AA, WN, DL
Posts: 4,091
I assume you are kidding. You must be! Let me make sure I understand what you are saying: If someone pays the price that is offered for a product, without any negotiation whatsoever they are "ripping off the airline" and "freaking losers?" Maybe next time when I see UA offer a certain price on a route I should not accept it and tell them I would like to donate an extra $100 because I don't think they are charging enough? Wow, I thought I had seen it all here on FT!
Some may consider his actions appropriate for a "loser" since he is losing money... and allowing the airline to rip him off.
#9
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: UA, AA
Posts: 4,039
Don't see how the upgrade makes a difference except for beverage consumption. The meal would have been loaded anyways, the seat would have flown anyways, etc.
Basically, my question is "is the fuel cost of conveying x extra kgs more than $234 (after taxes)?" I don't have enough knowledge of aircraft operations to say...
Basically, my question is "is the fuel cost of conveying x extra kgs more than $234 (after taxes)?" I don't have enough knowledge of aircraft operations to say...
#10
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: NYC
Programs: BAEC Silver, AA LTP 2MM
Posts: 3,359
I think he is saying he likes to pay full fare everytime he flies so that he can give his money (or his employer's money) to UA. Of course, we have to appreciate that, since that allows others who do not feel like paying full fare the ability to buy those sub $200 transcons he seems so happy to pay a premium for.
Some may consider his actions appropriate for a "loser" since he is losing money... and allowing the airline to rip him off.
Some may consider his actions appropriate for a "loser" since he is losing money... and allowing the airline to rip him off.
#11
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: SFO
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 1,471
Demanding? Hoping? Taking when offered?
#12
Join Date: Jan 1999
Location: Too many
Programs: Lots
Posts: 5,761
Rulez's point is of course an excellent one. Airlines are beginning to realize that they should make money on every passenger, and not file extortion level fares for business travelers and use those to subsidize unrealistically low economy fares. QUP's et al are an excellent example of a way the airlines have begun to combat one end of the problem. This is why we hear so many "my upgrade didn't clear" whines here now. People are paying for F or C, and that just doesn't sit right with some people who've come to expect it for free.
The bottom line, which is what I believe rulez was trying to say: Pay up or shut up. Don't whine when something is more expensive than you care to pay. The solution is simple: Don't buy, and look elsewhere. Don't go around whining about how airlines aren't making things cheap enough for you.
The bottom line, which is what I believe rulez was trying to say: Pay up or shut up. Don't whine when something is more expensive than you care to pay. The solution is simple: Don't buy, and look elsewhere. Don't go around whining about how airlines aren't making things cheap enough for you.
Last edited by l etoile; Apr 1, 2007 at 8:10 am Reason: continuity
#13
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 23,999
OK, can you explain what you mean by "demanding?" If people need to fly, they will either have to bite the bullet and book with UA or fly another carrier that has a better price. If the trip is not for fun then maybe they can't justify the cost for the trip and rather stay home. It is not like leisure flyers somehow force the airlines to lower the prices. It is totally on UA's side, so I don't see why you are trying to shift the blame to the passengers. I think we are hoping and like to see low fares, but I don't see anyone "demanding" lower fares. Any insight here?
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 23,999
Airlines are beginning to realize that they should make money on every passenger, and not file extortion level fares for business travelers and use those to subsidize unrealistically low economy fares. QUP's et al are an excellent example of a way the airlines have begun to combat one end of the problem. This is why we hear so many "my upgrade didn't clear" whines here now. People are paying for F or C, and that just doesn't sit right with some people who've come to expect it for free.
The bottom line, which is what I believe rulez was trying to say: Pay up or shut up. Don't whine when something is more expensive than you care to pay. The solution is simple: Don't buy, and look elsewhere. Don't go around whining about how airlines aren't making things cheap enough for you.
The bottom line, which is what I believe rulez was trying to say: Pay up or shut up. Don't whine when something is more expensive than you care to pay. The solution is simple: Don't buy, and look elsewhere. Don't go around whining about how airlines aren't making things cheap enough for you.
#15
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 114
I would argue that these sub-$400 fares you hate actually increase the bottom line for United b/c these fliers wouldn't have taken the trip in the first place if they couldn't afford it. Filling otherwise-empty seats with some revenue helps the airlines more than it hurts.