Airfare ticket shock

[BigDUSA 71]

Not altogether true! Emirates, to name just 1 has increased their bottom line profit this financial year by 500%, yes, 500% and expects double digit growth over the next 5 years! They have also increased their A380 order by 32 Aircraft, making them the largest purchaser (BIGD please note)!

But have they offered reduced prices and fare deals, fuck no they have increased yet again! An excellent Airline to fly with IMO, but hell we certainly are paying a premium to the greedy bastards!

 

If your not happy with the price they charge. Take your business to another airline. It's nice they increased their order for the A380 but Airbus has a long way to go to meet the break even point.

[stevoman 2]

If your not happy with the price they charge. Take your business to another airline. It's nice they increased their order for the A380 but Airbus has a long way to go to meet the break even point.

 

PLEASE pay attention, nowhere did I say that I travelled with them, I don't BTW! I simply posted to highlight the general increase in fares, directly in relationship to excessive profits being made! Airbus do have a long way to go,I agree, however at least their in the air, with excellent advance orders unlike Boeing dismal forward outlook!

[Samsonite 181]

Are you joking?

No.

Whatever happened to the board member, from Sacramento IIRC, who had the United FF program down to a science? Was it Emil?

I know one person who has been doing the trip from the West Coast 3 or 4 times a year for the last 20 or so years and he is always telling me about the "deals" he gets via United.

Then there is the retired AA stew (via TWA) that was, less than a week ago, telling me the "wonders" of the United program and so on, and so on...

Edited June 12, 2010 by Samsonite

[bigdelta 46]

Using LTGTR's reference to kayak, I did a search for SFO-BKK return, leaving on Nov 17, returning Dec 22 (one of my daughters has 5 weeks vacation), and the lowest fare came up as China Air at $922.

 

Are these valid numbers? Is kayak accurate, or do you have to add in a lot of taxes and such to get the correct fare?

 

Edited in:

After getting the fare list from kayak, I selected a ticket purchase directly from China Airline's site. There was an even lower fare, which, after taxes and surcharges was $863.

 

On the outbound trip, there is a 2:45 layover in TPE, and a total of 17:50 flight time. Why am I using UAL?

 

On the return flight, there 55 minute connection with 17:50 flight time. Great!

 

I just paid $1920 for a BKK-SFO economy roundtrip with only the outbound portion upgradeable.

 

Time to burn those UAL miles and switch carriers.

 

Or is this too good to be true?

 

One more EDIT IN:

Following up on those same dates, UAL has a fare with one stop (NRT) for $981 all in, so it's not so bad.

 

I chose dates just before Thanksgiving and just before Christmas to see if it would make a difference. It apparently does.

Glad you checked kayak as it can check several sites if you check the box "search all sites" box.I wonder why you are questioning if the fares are valid?

The fares are from various travel sites.

[midlifecrisis 4,030]

I saw a new site that I was unaware of advertised on TV last night

 

http://www.fly.com/

[Upharsin 0]

Well, I love premium economy but may need to adjust in order to find a better price and use Kayak and other sites to get a better deal.

Ata boy ...you've managed to work out the answer all by yourself.

 

Premium economy means a big premium in price for only a tiny increase in leg space. People who buy premium economy are saying to the airlines - I am prepared for you to mug me for as much money as I've got.

[MM 6,562]

Glad you checked kayak as it can check several sites if you check the box "search all sites" box.I wonder why you are questioning if the fares are valid?

The fares are from various travel sites.

 

Because I have seen these aggregation sites (for hotels and flights) where, when you go to make the booking, the item is not available.

 

I did follow up on this site's results and found they are valid.

[bigdelta 46]

Because I have seen these aggregation sites (for hotels and flights) where, when you go to make the booking, the item is not available.

 

I did follow up on this site's results and found they are valid.

True,some are touts but the best about kayak is it allows several check with one entry-glad it worked for you.Martin,I wouldn't steer anyone wrong here when it comes to airline fares.

Edited June 12, 2010 by LTGTR

[js007 795]

I've never had a problem booking a flight online. I've used Orbitz, the Thai Air site, and the NWA/Delta site. Just have your credit card ready to pay if you see a good fare, because the prices can change at a moment's notice.

 

About once hour ago I did a search for some flights from the USA for October or November. About the same as last year. $1000, give or take $100, R/T, for the economy fares.

[MC_Ldop 40]

I have to give one to AA, their FF program blows all the rest away. For 70k miles you can fly east coast to BKK rt. Try that on United.

 

Please. If traveling to LOS is one of your primary concerns, you're much better of sticking with United and getting at least premier executive status. Reaching 1K ensures that you won't have to fly coach to LOS. AA doesn't have its on metal to LOS, which puts it at a major disadvantage when it comes to upgrades.

[midlifecrisis 4,030]

True,some are touts but the best about kayak is it allows several check with one entry-glad it worked for you.Martin,I wouldn't steer anyone wrong here when it comes to airline fares.

jokingly, out of curiosity, what would you steer us wrong on?

 

hehe

[BigDUSA 71]

I have to give one to AA, their FF program blows all the rest away. For 70k miles you can fly east coast to BKK rt. Try that on United.

 

I can fly PHL-BKK for 65K miles on UA using a super saver award.

[MM 6,562]

I can fly PHL-BKK for 65K miles on UA using a super saver award.

 

To date, I've never seen a "super saver award" from UA.

 

I only get access to "saver awards" on UA.

 

If you were to use your "super saver award", what is the earliest date you could come to Thailand this year?

 

The reason I ask is because, using my humble "saver awards", I was not able to find a single available seat PHL-BKK using united's web site.

 

But then they don't give me access to the super stuff.

[brotherbuzz 3,196]

To date, I've never seen a "super saver award" from UA.

.................

But then they don't give me access to the super stuff.

Lol. And oddly enough D was just lamenting my pointing out to him how lying for him is first nature rather than second.......

[BigDUSA 71]

To date, I've never seen a "super saver award" from UA.

 

I only get access to "saver awards" on UA.

 

If you were to use your "super saver award", what is the earliest date you could come to Thailand this year?

 

The reason I ask is because, using my humble "saver awards", I was not able to find a single available seat PHL-BKK using united's web site.

 

But then they don't give me access to the super stuff.

 

I made a mistake on the super saver. Your right it's saver awards. I just checked UA website and the earliest departure date was one day in December. Many days open up starting in January.

 

I'm a Premier Executive level member FF. UA may make more availability for us. I know they do for 1K level.

[MM 6,562]

I made a mistake on the super saver. Your right it's saver awards. I just checked UA website and the earliest departure date was one day in December. Many days open up starting in January.

 

I'm a Premier Executive level member FF. UA may make more availability for us. I know they do for 1K level.

 

 

Thanks for checking and clearing up the super saver award issue.

 

Premier Exec is pretty low on the totem pole, but it does give you marginal elite status. You are competing with 1K's and Global Services customers, of whom there are many in the international travel market.

 

I have Prem Exec, and as I said, when I checked there was nothing PHL-BKK up to and including Dec 2010. If you did find a seat in Dec, that's half the battle. You also need to find a return seat that matches your most flexible schedule.

 

This all goes to your claim that you can use FF miles (65K) to travel to BKK from Philly on UA. I don't think that holds water unless you plan on travelling next year whenever a seat opens.

 

However, if you call Mileage Plus International Reservations, they can frequently book you on a Star Alliance partner that may be a little out of your way, have a longer travel time, but you will likely be on a better airline (nearly anything is better than UAL). So, it is doable...at least the last time I tried it.

 

I typically don't use FF miles for 2 reasons...they are hard to book when you want to go, or you have to do a multi-stop multi-airline route to get to where you want to go, AND because I need all the miles I can get to achieve whatever elite status I am trying to make that year.

 

But, now that UAL is really making the FF miles hard and/or expensive to use ($350 seat upgrade copay!!), I am planning on using all my FF miles and switching out of UAL ... it's been 40 years that I have nearly exclusively used them, but with all their changes, I am ready to change as well.

 

Plus, the cute stewardesses of the 70's are the same ones that are flying now, but they are called flight attendants and they are old, fat, and grumpy.

[Emil 0]

I'm using a savers award flying out of SMF thru SFO this 4th of July. Booked it back around the end of March. This year I'm 1K status but for the past 6 years I was premier executive and didn't have trouble getting saver awards as long as I booked the summer trips in late winter or early spring. However when booking those trips I paid the additional $$$ and booked through a UA reservation agent as they have access to the Star Alliance carriers while booking online I believe only gives you the UA flights. I've had about 15 saver awards to LOS and only 2 of those did I fly all legs on UA. On the others I've had legs on Singapore, Thai, ANA and Air Canada. I didn't experience any long layovers and my arrival times were about the same except when I flew on Singapore the entire trip and on the flight I left the US late at night and got into BKK around noon. Talking to a UA agent and they did tell me that they only have a couple seats designitaed on each UA flight for saver awards for premier executive and a couple extra for 1K members.

Edited June 14, 2010 by Emil

[BigDUSA 71]

Thanks for checking and clearing up the super saver award issue.

 

Premier Exec is pretty low on the totem pole, but it does give you marginal elite status. You are competing with 1K's and Global Services customers, of whom there are many in the international travel market.

 

I have Prem Exec, and as I said, when I checked there was nothing PHL-BKK up to and including Dec 2010. If you did find a seat in Dec, that's half the battle. You also need to find a return seat that matches your most flexible schedule.

 

This all goes to your claim that you can use FF miles (65K) to travel to BKK from Philly on UA. I don't think that holds water unless you plan on travelling next year whenever a seat opens.

 

However, if you call Mileage Plus International Reservations, they can frequently book you on a Star Alliance partner that may be a little out of your way, have a longer travel time, but you will likely be on a better airline (nearly anything is better than UAL). So, it is doable...at least the last time I tried it.

 

I typically don't use FF miles for 2 reasons...they are hard to book when you want to go, or you have to do a multi-stop multi-airline route to get to where you want to go, AND because I need all the miles I can get to achieve whatever elite status I am trying to make that year.

 

But, now that UAL is really making the FF miles hard and/or expensive to use ($350 seat upgrade copay!!), I am planning on using all my FF miles and switching out of UAL ... it's been 40 years that I have nearly exclusively used them, but with all their changes, I am ready to change as well.

 

Plus, the cute stewardesses of the 70's are the same ones that are flying now, but they are called flight attendants and they are old, fat, and grumpy.

 

I'm old, fat but not grumpy so I can identify with the FA. I'm retired so I have the luxury in being flexible with my travel dates. I also use the reservations service to book Star Alliance flights. I.ask if they can waive the booking fee and usually they will. Not being grumpy on the phone helps. I agree you have to be able to book months in advance.

 

As you can see below I can book a FF saver award leaving PHL 5 Dec and returning from BKK 14 Dec. One of the hardest FF tickets to book is Hawaii. I could book three seats next April and return in May if I booked today. You have to book early but seats are available..

 

Saver Awards

Economy Standard Awards

Economy Taxes and fees apply 65,000 miles per passenger or

30,000 miles + 495.00 USD per passenger Saver and Standard AwardsSaver AwardsSaver Awards allow you to redeem your Mileage Plus® miles for award travel to more than 1,000 destinations worldwide. You can redeem for Saver Awards with fewer miles than Standard Awards. However, capacity control restrictions apply. Standard AwardsStandard Awards give you the flexibility to fly any time seats are available on United® and United Express® flights for the itinerary and cabin you request. Blackout dates and capacity control restrictions do not apply. Standard Awards allow you to redeem your Mileage Plus® miles for award travel to more than 200 destinations worldwide.

 

Depart Sun, Dec 05, 2010

Philadelphia, PA (PHL) to Bangkok, Thailand (BKK)Return Tue, Dec 14, 2010

Bangkok, Thailand (BKK) to Philadelphia, PA (PHL)

6:00 AM PHL - 7:02 AM ORD United 337 View seats

connecting to

12:03 PM ORD - 11:45 PM BKK United 881 View seats

Arrives next day

1 stop

Plane change Details

Flight details

6:05 AM PHL - 7:15 AM IAD United 8077 View seats

Operated byUNITED EXPRESS/ TRANS STATES AIRLINES

 

connecting to

12:28 PM IAD - 4:30 PM NRT United 803 View seats

Arrives next day

connecting to

6:35 PM NRT - 11:45 PM BKK United 881 View seats Flight details

7:00 AM PHL - 9:58 AM SFO United 185 View seats

In-flight meal options

Choice menu meal and snack selections are available for purchase on most flights in United Economy® within North America more than two hours in duration.

connecting to

12:58 PM SFO - 5:25 PM NRT United 853 View seats

Arrives next day

connecting to

6:35 PM NRT - 11:45 PM BKK United 881 View seats Flight details

7:00 AM PHL - 9:58 AM SFO United 185 View seats

In-flight meal options

Choice menu meal and snack selections are available for purchase on most flights in United Economy® within North America more than two hours in duration.

connecting to

11:20 AM SFO - 3:30 PM NRT United 837 View seats

Arrives next day

connecting to

6:35 PM NRT - 11:45 PM BKK United 881 View seats Flight details

7:30 AM PHL - 8:58 AM ORD United 345 View seats

connecting to

12:03 PM ORD - 11:45 PM BKK United 881 View seats

Edited June 14, 2010 by BigDUSA

[chuckrivera 1]

The bulk of UA saver awards are hidden from all buy 1K. I can find economy saver awards (East Coast to BKK) right now for as early as mid August.

 

Are you joking?

 

The United FF program, using the "Saver" awards that they advertise are absolutely useless for flights to BKK from the US. I spent a month trying to book a Saver award (65K miles) for an economy seat and could never find a booking that got me there and back on any dates I chose.

 

I don't think booking far in advance helps either, because it seems they only release the seats a few days before the flight. I was sometimes able to get a flight leaving in 1-3 days, but never was able to get a return leaving a week or more after that.

 

In order to use the FF miles, you have to use the STANDARD award level that eats up 130K miles for an economy seat from USA to SEA.

 

I hear there are ways to datamine a saver award by reviewing the load figures, but that's too arcane for me right now.

 

In short, the FF mile program gives you the miles, but makes it near impossible to use them.

 

For example, I just tried to book a one-way flight from SFO-BKK. The first available travel date using FF miles (32.5K) was Nov 22-Nov 26 (odd...isn't that Thanksgiving?).

 

So, if I were willing to wait 5 1/2 months to fly...during a 5 day window, the FF program would be great.

 

 

 

Well, assuming you can actually get a flight from USA to SEA for 70k miles, that is better than using 65K miles for flights where you cannot find a seat!

[MM 6,562]

BigD -- book it!

 

Emil -- that's good to know. I haven't used the reservations number for a long time, but when I did, if I was willing to travel on other airlines, on a generally roundabout route, I could get where I wanted to go.

 

chuck -- I didn't know that 1K showed different availability. Good to know.

 

I still think the program sucks more than it used to.

[BigDUSA 71]

I still think the program sucks more than it used to.

 

I agree every time they 'improve' the program the worse it gets.

[saigon_butterfly 1]

Ata boy ...you've managed to work out the answer all by yourself.

 

Premium economy means a big premium in price for only a tiny increase in leg space. People who buy premium economy are saying to the airlines - I am prepared for you to mug me for as much money as I've got.

 

Thats not exactly true, flew United in premium economy a few years ago and for an extra hundred bucks, not only got the extra legroom, but got a vacant seat next to me. Very important if you got a 300 pounder sitting next to you. There were a lot of vacant middle seats in that part of the plane. Money well spent in my opion.

Later, SB

[BigDUSA 71]

Premium economy seating on UA is not a big deal. You get 5" extra inches of leg room and that's it. Seat back reclines the same small amount as in regular economy.

[bigdelta 46]

jokingly, out of curiosity, what would you steer us wrong on?

 

hehe

there may be a few here I would at least steer sideways..........

[brotherbuzz 3,196]

I still think the program sucks more than it used to.

Hmmm...have a few Continental miles so we'll see how that works out. Going back about 4 years I did the CC churn thing with United and even got an extra 20k because they accidentally credited me a second 20k after I wondered what happened to first 20k. Anyway, I booked 3 saver flights online with no problems. Been out of it for a while (60k back then) but from reading newspapers and such it seems that it's pretty tough to book on the fly on most of the Airlines these days.