differences in airfare

[falmouth3]

I have been watching the United site and Expedia for plane tickets. Yesterday I noticed a $29 per ticket difference for seemingly the same flights on United. So, my question is what I might have to give up if I were to buy my ticket on Expedia. Do I get my ff miles and credit towards my ff status? Does my ticket bought on Expedia still allow me to take advantage of my silver level privileges, such as sitting in economy plus? (I know I can't select a seat there until 24 hours before flight time.) The flights are still a few months off so I'm not sure why there might be discounts on Expedia at this point.

 

[Carolinian]

As to miles, the key factor is the fare class your ticket is bought in, rather than the outlet, with most airlines. Check the fare class you will get on Expedia. Elite priveleges should also be the same.

Some airlines like DL have started following the practice of European legacies of giving less than full miles to some lower fare classes, but I haven't heard of UA doing that yet.

I have often seen better prices on some online outlets than on the airline site, so that is not uncommon.

 

[Talent312]

I like Expedia. I've seen flights on Expedia that others did not have, not even the airline's own site. Thesee were code-shared flights offered by a different airline. But as said, you need to be sure your getting the fare-code that gets you the perks you want.

 

[falmouth3]

Thanks. I'll look into the code. I can fly a bit less expensively on Delta, but I'd like to use this flight to ensure that I remain silver on United for next year.

Sue

 

[x3 skier]

Some airlines like DL have started following the practice of European legacies of giving less than full miles to some lower fare classes, but I haven't heard of UA doing that yet.

I have often seen better prices on some online outlets than on the airline site, so that is not uncommon.

AFAIK, the only reduction on DL has been on so called unpublished fares like group excursions. Lots or rumors in the huge thread on Delta on Flyertalk but I just checked Delta's web site and all published fares still earn 100% at least as of today.

OTOH, it would not surprise me at all to see it happen with the others following suit. I suspect each is watching the other closely to see who goes first.

I always buy my tickets on the airline's web site so there is one less thing to hassle over if something goes wrong like my current reservation to Vienna where DL changed the return to make my connection two hours before I arrived at the connecting airport. Quick call to the Medallion line and I now connect in AMS instead of CDG and got a $100 credit to boot.

Cheers

 

[falmouth3]

I thought I'd take a look at the number of seats filled. Four flights for the round trip. Not one seat filled. Guess I'll wait a while. My guess is that the prices are either going to go down or the flights are going to be cancelled.

 

[bogey21]

I always buy my tickets on the airline's web site so there is one less thing to hassle over if something goes wrong like my current reservation to Vienna where DL changed the return to make my connection two hours before I arrived at the connecting airport.

Back in the days I seemed to be in the air 90% of my awake hours I had three rules. First, I always bought my ticket from the Airline I was flying. Second, I never bought round trip tickets, rather I bought separate tickets for going and coming back. And Third, I always tried not to have connections. I found that this made my life a whole lot simpler when things started getting messed up.

George

 

[Carolinian]

The last time DL tried to do that, it resulted in a huge pushback from their customers, who organized and fought back. Here is the website of that organized resistance, which ultimately forced DL to revoke those policies:

www.saveskymiles.com

The other thing that happened in that round was that the late Beth Shutis, head of the WorldPerks ff program at NW, put her foot down and said that NW was absolutely NOT going along with DL on that policy. Unfortunately, NW is no longer around to put its finger in the dike for customers.

AFAIK, the only reduction on DL has been on so called unpublished fares like group excursions. Lots or rumors in the huge thread on Delta on Flyertalk but I just checked Delta's web site and all published fares still earn 100% at least as of today.

OTOH, it would not surprise me at all to see it happen with the others following suit. I suspect each is watching the other closely to see who goes first.

I always buy my tickets on the airline's web site so there is one less thing to hassle over if something goes wrong like my current reservation to Vienna where DL changed the return to make my connection two hours before I arrived at the connecting airport. Quick call to the Medallion line and I now connect in AMS instead of CDG and got a $100 credit to boot.

Cheers

 

[WinniWoman]

I think the airlines should PAY US to fly instead of the other way around!:hysterical: