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I'm facing a dilemma. While doing some routine research of international fares, I discovered a discrepancy between the Business Class fares offered by two code-share* partners, Lufthansa and United, on three all-Business Class routes to Germany. The question is, how much do I want to call attention to it?
It's my duty to alert you to the fact that United is offering a promotional fare, through Feb. 11, that saves 35% to 64% on Lufthansa’s all-Business Class service from the US to Düsseldorf and Frankfurt. On the other hand, I'm afraid that too much publicity might force Lufthansa to re-examine a code-share flight that allows United to trim up to $5,019 per ticket.
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The chart below shows the details. Keep in mind that these are all 21-day-advance, round-trip fares for identical seats. Same plane. Same flights!
It's somewhat common for code-sharing partners to have different fares on the same flight, and sometimes they vary as widely as those you see below. Generally, though, it's the operating carrier (Lufthansa in this case) offering the fare flexibility because they have more inventory to play with. Here, it's the partner carrier (United) offering the deeply discounted Business Class fares.
I don't know why United is giving these Business Class seats away so cheap. I do know that these great fares are subject to change and might not survive through the current ticketing deadline of Feb. 11. I suggest that you take advantage of United's generosity and book your travel quickly.
And, please, let's try to keep this between us.
*code-share: An agreement between partner airlines allowing one to sell seats on the other’s flight.
You should not be sending e:Mail about this. Iberia has a cheaper business class Chicago Dusseldorf right off expedia
Fare differences like these happen all of the time - when a code share partner has huge unsold inventory to sell, and metal carrier does not! Have experienced same on domestic flights - e.g. US Air (metal) PHL-CHM rt at $700 and code share partner, UA was only $200!
code shares have always puzzled me. as a recreational traveler, how would i know who shares codes and where would i go to find the best business seat. thanks. richard
Your code-sharing info is certainly attention-getting. But how do you find out these things? I.e., where should one look to find out whether there are code-share partners for a particular flight and, if so, who they are?
Thanks for the tip. I couldn't find a discounted business ticket on the United website, but I found a $3600 round-trip, SFO-Munich-Brussels (and reverse) for travel April and May. It's not free, but a big savings. Prices were the same for SFO-FRA . The hard part? Finding flights operated by Lufthansa, not by United.
Also checked expedia and Iberia has a better deal than what you quote United from Chicago. Hope I'm not going to have to double ck all your suggestions from now on as yours is a pay service and not free.
Can anyone tell me if there are any discounted flights to Rome on abt Sept.30 from Atlanta, GA Thanks Sally
United is offering a "special roomy section on coach". To join the "upgrade" club you pay $350/couple. Is the upgrade worth the $350? Do the added inches make the deal?
Do Continemtal have any discounts for fares to Edinburgh Scotland, Information Continental receive a subsudy from the Scottish Parliment to help tourists.I do not know if is still in force, I can find out the next time I go to Scotland, I consider their fare is high considering the subsudsy.
Do Continemtal have any discounts for fares to Edinburgh Scotland, Information Continental receive a subsudy from the Scottish Parliment to help tourists.I do not know if is still in force, I can find out the next time I go to Scotland, I consider their fare is high considering the subsudsy.
My travels around the world have created a lasting impression on many different carriers. The very best service I have found is through BA & KLM. Hands Down!!
I am a 100% Disabled Person that relies on a motorized scooter to get around. My question is in regards to what problems do we face in taking the scooter onboard flights, through security and the restraints thereof? What alternates are being made available for Handicap persons and what upgrades are airports implamenting to assist?
Just a tip. I've flown to Hawaii first class a dozen times. But the cost finally caught up to me. I couldn't stand the thought of steerage on United's unfriendly flights (no meals, no service, no Aloha). So my wife and I booked on Hawaiian for the first time . . . in coach. The price was cheaper than coach on any other competitor. And the service was first class, as was the meal (okay, the meal wasn't great, but hey, it was a meal and it was free). The entire entertainment system was set up to make us feel good about going to Hawaii. When I flew that same route on United, I could just as well have been flying to Cleveland for all the ambiance the airline provided. I'm now a fan of Hawaiian and even bought their pitch for a credit card . . . I'm dumping my United Mileage Plus Visa card.
To JCooper What United is selling you is access to Economy Plus, the seats it normally gives out to its elite fliers. The space difference between these seats and regular coach is noticable, particularly on long flights. The seat isn't any bigger, the service is no different, and a middle seat is still a middle seat. But two aisles across on a cross-country trip in economy plus might well be worth $30.
I recently received a mileage update from United advising me of wiping out all my prior accumulated miles because of lack of recent useage.I had been a loyal united traveler for a number of years(in my more active days)accumulating way over a half million miles in first and business classes. As I protested on their lack of sensitivity they ungraciously offered to sell me my mileage back for 1.5 cent a mile.I was left totally perplexed by their idiotic approach and total ignorance of what customer service is all about.
I suffer from a fail back surgery and am in chronic pain. I joined Flight Bliss in hopes of getting some help in finding a business or first class seat to Munchen, Germany from Portland, Oregon. My problem is I can't sit the length of the flight nor do I believe I can make it even if I can walk around part of the time. If I could lie down I’m sure I would have no problems. Even if there was some way to tell if a flight was empty enough that I could lay down across a couple of seats in coach. I’m going for my daughter’s wedding and need to leave PDX on the 18th of April and return on the 27th. These dates are set as the daughter that will be helping me is a teacher and this is the only time she has (the wedding takes place midweek). We do not own any mileage cards from any of the airlines (except Southwest airlines), nor do we own any credit cards that acquire airline miles. IS THEIR ANYONE OUT THERE THAT CAN HELP US, OR GIVE US SOME USEFUL ADVICE! Thank you, R. Incrovato
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