Hawaii fare reductions loaded (8/19/2008)
Aug 19, 2008, 10:37 pm
#16
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: MDW/ORD and the late lamented Meigs Field...
Programs: UA 1MM Premier 1K, Hilton Gold, Marriott Titanium/ LT
Posts: 1,229
It's true that UA can bank on most people not knowing that they can ask for a refare, not knowing how to, not knowing what to do if the voucher doesn't come through as promised, and then not using the voucher once they get it -- but that's not "lying." I'm more willing to purchase tickets long in advance because I know I am protected if the fare drops, and apparently, UA finds the time value of my money worth the cost of the occasional refare (and I am willing to let them hold my money longer in order to get the flight/seats/upgrade I want).
Why UA keeps this feature IS an interesting question, since few if any carriers are as generous with refares, but SHHH! let's not give them the idea of stopping...
Aug 19, 2008, 10:42 pm
#17
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: GVA (Greater Vancouver Area)
Programs: DREAD Gold; UA 1.035MM; Bonvoy Au-197; PCC Elite+; CCC Elite+; MSC C-12; CWC Au-197; WoH Dis
Posts: 52,140
Aug 19, 2008, 11:17 pm
#18
Join Date: Jun 2004
Programs: UAL 1K MM, AA Lifetime Gold
Posts: 187
It's crazy expensive in January. SEA-OGG is well above $1000. I checked it a few weeks ago and I think it was around $700. About double the price of Alaska and Hawaiian which are direct flights. F on Alaska is only $100 more than Y on UA right now.
Aug 20, 2008, 5:45 am
#20
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: ORD
Programs: HHonors Silver, UA (no status, but lots of miles!)
Posts: 465
I mean surely they should get rid of this feature first before introducing charges for meals in Y on international flights...I know, I know, its probably a different department and nothing to do with "them".
Aug 20, 2008, 8:30 am
#21
Original Poster
Join Date: May 1999
Location: New York City
Programs: UA MM-1P, Hilton Life Diamond, Marriot Life Gold, ICH Spire
Posts: 4,080
FWIW. the "special deals" section of .bomb now actually shows "Hawaii Fare Sale".
Aug 20, 2008, 9:23 am
#22
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: SFO
Programs: United 1K 2MM / Marriott LTP
Posts: 5,071
Aug 20, 2008, 11:32 am
#23
In memoriam
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: IAD, BOS, PVD
Programs: UA, US, AS, Marriott, Radisson, Hilton
Posts: 7,203
Originally Posted by PanHam
my jokes really suck. 
Aug 20, 2008, 3:29 pm
#24
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Since the BoSox and ChiSox won it, now it is the Cubs turn to take the Series. Go Cubs Go!
Posts: 3,685
With regards to vouchers for refaring itineraries, I must say that United has always honored its refaring policy, and I have always received a voucher for a lower fare on the exact same flights and dates.
Aug 20, 2008, 3:55 pm
#25
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: San Diego
Programs: UA 1P DL GM HH PP
Posts: 97
UA is still over $450 more LAX-HNL in early April 09 (Spring Break) than AA/AS. As to the refare process, I thought of buying UA (for E+/EQMs) and hope for a refare. But, I would have to constantly monitor the price and did not want to deal with vouchers. Instead, I went through Orbitz to buy the AA ticket (x4) with its automatic Price Assurance guarantee to lock in the lower initial price, little monitoring on my part. I recognize there are certain requirements associated with the Orbitz guarantee and I am losing out on E+ and EQMs, but the price point difference was too great to ignore.
Aug 20, 2008, 3:57 pm
#26
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: GVA (Greater Vancouver Area)
Programs: DREAD Gold; UA 1.035MM; Bonvoy Au-197; PCC Elite+; CCC Elite+; MSC C-12; CWC Au-197; WoH Dis
Posts: 52,140
Aug 20, 2008, 4:45 pm
#27
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: San Diego
Programs: UA 1P DL GM HH PP
Posts: 97
I had never heard of yapta. Googled it and have signed up to test it out for tracking fare prices. Thank you for the tip Mahasamatman.