Why is SFO-NRT so expensive now?
Jan 4, 2009, 1:14 pm
#16
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Portland, Oregon; seat 3A
Programs: UA 1K 2021-22-23;Formerly a longtime UA Premier Exec; NW silver (legacy), Alaska Gold (way back)
Posts: 2,316
It would be cancelled if all the legs were on UA, but I don't think that KAL tells United who shows up and who doesn't. I did this once, a few years back, as PDX-SEA-NRT-ground to HND-SEL and back, with the HND-SEL and SEL-HND legs on Korean Air. I didn't take either KAL flight as my destination was Tokyo. United didn't notice that I didn't show for the KAL flights, and KAL didn't tell United to cancel my reservations.
[Added:] I think what makes it work is the ground break from Narita to Haneda; I think that's what makes UA not notice if I don't show for the Haneda flights.
[Added:] I think what makes it work is the ground break from Narita to Haneda; I think that's what makes UA not notice if I don't show for the Haneda flights.
Jan 4, 2009, 1:15 pm
#17
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Portland, Oregon; seat 3A
Programs: UA 1K 2021-22-23;Formerly a longtime UA Premier Exec; NW silver (legacy), Alaska Gold (way back)
Posts: 2,316
The reason I did it is that I wanted to fly business class to Tokyo and back, and the business class fare was 40% cheaper if I added the KAL legs to the ticket.
Jan 4, 2009, 1:16 pm
#18
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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
Jan 4, 2009, 1:18 pm
#19
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Portland, Oregon; seat 3A
Programs: UA 1K 2021-22-23;Formerly a longtime UA Premier Exec; NW silver (legacy), Alaska Gold (way back)
Posts: 2,316
"Supposed" is of course the key word. Maybe they talk better to each other today; I last tried this stunt in 2004.
Jan 4, 2009, 5:57 pm
#20
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Tokyo
Programs: DL Diamond, ANA Platinum
Posts: 1,532
WOW. ICN is so much cheaper than NRT, it's not even funny. Guess I'll be visiting Seoul again for a short period of time. 
Jan 4, 2009, 6:02 pm
#21
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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
Jan 4, 2009, 6:06 pm
#22
Moderator: Luxury Hotels and FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Palo Alto, California,USA
Posts: 17,856
You won't necessarily need to go through ICN.
Just go find a consolidator ticket. That's probably what the "student" fare above is an example of. Most consolidator tickets earn miles. A few are even upgradeable. However, in every case, you need to check before buying if either of those are important.
Although it's hard to get detailed info, consolidator tickets from the U.S. to/from Japan are VERY common.
Just go find a consolidator ticket. That's probably what the "student" fare above is an example of. Most consolidator tickets earn miles. A few are even upgradeable. However, in every case, you need to check before buying if either of those are important.
Although it's hard to get detailed info, consolidator tickets from the U.S. to/from Japan are VERY common.
Jan 4, 2009, 6:44 pm
#23
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: MCO/CMH
Programs: UA,NH,WN
Posts: 6
I went to NRT in September with a one-way ticket purchased from Studentuniverse. After booking, I called United to add my MP number to the reservation. The tickets were W-class fares and earned full mileage.