When to purchase?
Apr 2, 2008 | 10:59 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,939
When to purchase?
I need to purchase two tickets to from DEN to DTW in August. Right now they are about $450-500/each, almost $150 more than competitors (F9, NW). For various reasons, I really want to stay on UA. Should I pull the trigger now or hold out? Any good tools to help 'guess'?
Apr 2, 2008 | 11:05 pm
#2
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Near SEA
Programs: UA MM, AS MVPG75K, Marriott Lifetime Gold
Posts: 7,990
I need to purchase two tickets to from DEN to DTW in August. Right now they are about $450-500/each, almost $150 more than competitors (F9, NW). For various reasons, I really want to stay on UA. Should I pull the trigger now or hold out? Any good tools to help 'guess'?
Apr 3, 2008 | 12:12 am
#3
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: U.S. (sometimes)
Programs: UA 1k 1MM, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Titanium, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond, Accor Platinum
Posts: 1,437
farecast.com provides a "fare forecast" tool for many combinations of U.S. cities.
Actually, I'm seeing a lot of $352 fares for DEN-DTW in August. But maybe you need specific days.
I haven't had much luck refaring. I believe that refaring might not help you if (a) you purchased the original ticket using some kind of voucher or coupon or (b) the lower fares are in a different fare class than what you originally purchased.
Actually, I'm seeing a lot of $352 fares for DEN-DTW in August. But maybe you need specific days.
I haven't had much luck refaring. I believe that refaring might not help you if (a) you purchased the original ticket using some kind of voucher or coupon or (b) the lower fares are in a different fare class than what you originally purchased.
Apr 3, 2008 | 7:05 am
#4
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Southeast Michigan
Programs: UA 1K MM
Posts: 392
Tag your flights with Yapta.com. It'll keep track of the fare changes for you automatically, and send you an email anytime the price drops.
Apr 3, 2008 | 7:41 am
#5
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: GVA (Greater Vancouver Area)
Programs: D.R.E.A.D. Gold card holder
Posts: 53,213
(a) You usually have to quote the "guaranteed airfare" rule.
(b) Unless you care about refundability or upgradeability, it doesn't matter.
Yapta works fine if price is all that matters, but for flights where you intentionally purchase a higher fare class for refundability or upgradeability, it's useless.
Last edited by FlyinHawaiian; Apr 3, 2008 at 11:59 am
Apr 3, 2008 | 11:17 am
#6
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Red Sox Nation
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 148
Depends on your elite status, if you're 2P and up, and the time and route is not extra crowded, I would book 6-2 weeks before the flight time. Since UA's promo sometimes only good for 1 or 2 months, esp those 10% off coupon, which you can't refare with.