Why are fares so freakin' high??????
Mar 22, 2007, 5:08 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: PHL-adjacent
Programs: AA Executive Platinum (but always US in my heart), HH Diamond
Posts: 3,346
Why are fares so freakin' high??????
...or is it just that I am cheap? I keep trying to find a cheap fare to PHX from PHL and I can't find anything much less than $375. I flew that route in January for (I think) $150. What gives? Does this have to do with the reservation migration crap or what? Help?
Mar 22, 2007, 6:58 am
#2
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
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Peak flying season is approaching, so I would expect fares to be higher in spring and summer.
Mar 22, 2007, 7:20 am
#3
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Tampa, FL
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Agreed. I know the whole year I've noticed higher-than-normal fares. I took a trip out to CVG a few weeks back and it cost me almost $1500 coming from ORF. Yet I went from RDU-PHL-PDX for $109 each way. It's that airline math none of us understand...
Mar 22, 2007, 7:58 am
#4
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Bear in mind that at $150, PHX-PHL is probably not profitable. Am I the only one who thinks that $375 for a near-transcon isn't so bad? (not that I wouldn't prefer to pay $150 of course)
Mar 22, 2007, 8:04 am
#5
Join Date: Feb 2007
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CVG is a terrible expensive airport to use, as DL controls over 80% of the flights there. I find DAY to be 45 minutes away and a much cheaper option. CMH also works.
If the PHX to PHL price is no good for you, try into EWR, MDT, or BWI. All are 90 minutes or less by car to PHL. Oh, you can try ACY and ABE as well.
If the PHX to PHL price is no good for you, try into EWR, MDT, or BWI. All are 90 minutes or less by car to PHL. Oh, you can try ACY and ABE as well.
Mar 22, 2007, 9:00 am
#6
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Mar 22, 2007, 9:12 am
#7
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Just did a quick search and May 8th to 12th PHX to BWI nonstop is ony 97 bucks each way on a A320. Save yourself quite a few bucks and FLY BWI!
Mar 22, 2007, 9:48 am
#8
Join Date: Dec 2003
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And it's spring break/Easter/Passover. AZ is a nice warm-weather destination.
Mar 22, 2007, 10:17 am
#9
Join Date: Mar 2003
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I've been monitoring LAX-AVP for flexible dates around 7/4, and every combination is pricing out at $700+. That's just ridiculous, considering the competitors are all in the $350-$500 price range. If the prices do not drop soon, I will just give up and book UA.
Mar 22, 2007, 10:41 am
#10
Moderator: American AAdvantage, Travel Safety/Security & Texas, FlyerTalk Evangelist
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My Mom is visiting tomorrow through next week (peak season here in PHX), her roundtrip was $200 all-in. But she is flying DL...through ATL coming and CVG going back. CVG is one of the most depressing places I've been, even worse than PHL.
Watch farecompare, get alerts on travelocity, etc...and be ready to buy at a moment's notice.
To the original poster wanting cheap PHL-PHX fares, check Southwest for the same dates. If their cheap fares are sold out, US will just match what they have available (since it is just WN and US that do this route nonstop). BWI is a great tip, I've used that several times for a cheap trip.
Mar 22, 2007, 11:09 am
#12
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Maybe I'm still remembering my $775 three-weeks-in-advance transcons from years ago, but $375 for this route seems reasonable.
Mar 22, 2007, 11:12 am
#13
Join Date: Dec 2005
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I just booked on DL for a flight to LAS. Out of CVG it was $700+, out of CMH I got an M fare for 150% mileage bonus for $650. However, the OP is correct, fares are creeping higher. Two years ago CMH-CLT-LAX in October was about $210, last year same weekend it was $400 for this year same weekend it's $510. Obviously you need to account for inflation and such but I got sort of spoiled with the low fares back then. For my routes, US has priced themselves out of the competition.
Mar 22, 2007, 1:47 pm
#14
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Mar 22, 2007, 1:59 pm
#15
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