Europe
Psst ... Code-Share Discrepancy Nets Enormous Discount on Business Class Flights to Europe
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.
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