Continental fare buckets-advice please - Timeshare Users Group Online Community Forums

calgal · May 12, 2006, 12:09 AM

I need to ticket my teen on specific flights on Continental SFO-Newark to match up with the itinerary of a teen group with which he is traveling on from Newark. The outbound flight is a good price and a "U" class. The inbound is expensive and is a "K" class. Total is $534 roundtrip, which is way high in my opinion. When I look at Orbitz for the seat map, both of these flights are virtually empty. The more expensive leg only has a total of 5 economy seats reserved on the seating map. Is this one of the circumstances where it is better to wait and watch and the fares are likely to go down?

Dave M · May 12, 2006, 09:06 AM

If the flight is for any time between now and early September, I think the chances that you'll find a lower fare are slim. Planes, even in this historically not-so-busy spring period, are at near-record capacity levels. The forecast for summer travel is that it will be tough to find seats at any price without careful advance planning.

Thus, it's very likely that CO has determined that the "K" fare flight will sell out and there is no need to offer seats at one of the less expensive fares. Fares will likely go up, but not down.

If, however, the flight is after mid-September, there is a slight chance of a fare sale that would lower the price, since that fall shoulder season has historically been a slower travel period. Still, with passenger traffic up and the number of flights down, it's easier for airlines to keep prices high (and continue increasing them) than ever before. The continuing increase in the cost of jet fuel will likely force continued fare increases.

There is one other possibility. Some people posting on the FlyerTalk CO forum have reported finding lower fare class tickets very close to flight dates - within a week or two before the flight, apparently after CO determined it guessed incorrectly that the flight would sell out. Playing such a waiting game and hoping that there is even one seat left would not be my choice.

Waiting is risky. Every travel article I have read recently about airfares, including one in the WSJ earlier this week, suggests they will go higher in the short run, not lower.

Accordingly, I would buy the ticket now.

camachinist · May 12, 2006, 09:48 AM

Dates and desired times?

If I read the K7BN rules correctly, changes are 30.00USD, but if CO doesn't consider a re-fare a change, that might be one option.

Also, have you considered US/HP? Not as nice as CO (IMO) but the price is right.

Code:

LR14NX 	US 	L 	Round-Trip 	318.00 (USD) 		06/14/06 	View Rules    View Routing
QR14NX 	HP 	Q 	Round-Trip 	318.00 (USD) 		06/14/06 	View Rules    View Routing

Again, knowing specifics would be more helpful.

I'll provide a list of CO fares to compare:

Code:

Fare Details
 
Departing Airport 	SFO
Arriving Airport 	EWR
Departure Date 	06/01/06
 
Note:
The fares listed do not include airport and/or security fees.
 
Fare Basis 	Airline 	Booking Class 	Trip Type 	Fare 	Effective Date 	Expiration Date 	 
11 Fares Returned
UR143BN 	CO 	U 	Round-Trip 	362.00 (USD) 			View Rules    View Routing
OR103BN 	CO 	O 	Round-Trip 	402.00 (USD) 			View Rules    View Routing
NR73BN 	CO 	N 	Round-Trip 	452.00 (USD) 			View Rules    View Routing
K7BN 	CO 	K 	One-Way 	331.00 (USD) 			View Rules    View Routing
H3BN 	CO 	H 	One-Way 	481.00 (USD) 			View Rules    View Routing

Also, have you considered OAK-EWR?

Code:

Fare Details
 
Departing Airport 	OAK
Arriving Airport 	EWR
Departure Date 	06/01/06
 
Note:
The fares listed do not include airport and/or security fees.
 
Fare Basis 	Airline 	Booking Class 	Trip Type 	Fare 	Effective Date 	Expiration Date 	 
97 Fares Returned
LR14N2C 	US 	L 	Round-Trip 	318.00 (USD) 			View Rules    View Routing
QR14N2C 	HP 	Q 	Round-Trip 	318.00 (USD) 			View Rules    View Routing
T14E3P5N 	NW 	T 	Round-Trip 	318.00 (USD) 			View Rules    View Routing
U14M3NBV 	DL 	U 	Round-Trip 	327.00 (USD) 			View Rules    View Routing
WE143NRX 	UA 	W 	Round-Trip 	328.00 (USD) 			View Rules    View Routing
S14E1MZN 	AA 	S 	Round-Trip 	328.00 (USD) 			View Rules    View Routing
LR7N2C 	US 	L 	Round-Trip 	358.00 (USD) 			View Rules    View Routing
QR7N2C 	HP 	Q 	Round-Trip 	358.00 (USD) 			View Rules    View Routing
L10E3P5N 	NW 	L 	Round-Trip 	358.00 (USD) 			View Rules    View Routing
SR143BN 	CO 	S 	Round-Trip 	362.00 (USD) 			View Rules    View Routing
L10M3NBV 	DL 	L 	Round-Trip 	367.00 (USD) 			View Rules    View Routing
WE103NX 	UA 	W 	Round-Trip 	368.00 (USD) 			View Rules    View Routing
G10E1MZN 	AA 	G 	Round-Trip 	368.00 (USD) 			View Rules    View Routing

Or, SJC-EWR:

Code:

Fare Details
 
Departing Airport 	SJC
Arriving Airport 	EWR
Departure Date 	06/01/06
 
Note:
The fares listed do not include airport and/or security fees.
 
Fare Basis 	Airline 	Booking Class 	Trip Type 	Fare 	Effective Date 	Expiration Date 	 
117 Fares Returned
LR14NX 	US 	L 	Round-Trip 	278.00 (USD) 		06/14/06 	View Rules    View Routing
QR14NX 	HP 	Q 	Round-Trip 	278.00 (USD) 		06/14/06 	View Rules    View Routing
WA14N1Z 	US 	W 	One-Way 	144.00 (USD) 		06/14/06 	View Rules    View Routing
LA14N1Z 	HP 	L 	One-Way 	144.00 (USD) 		06/14/06 	View Rules    View Routing
LR14N2C 	US 	L 	Round-Trip 	318.00 (USD) 			View Rules    View Routing
SE14Z3N 	AA 	S 	Round-Trip 	318.00 (USD) 			View Rules    View Routing
QR14N2C 	HP 	Q 	Round-Trip 	318.00 (USD) 			View Rules    View Routing
U14M3NBV 	DL 	U 	Round-Trip 	327.00 (USD) 			View Rules    View Routing
T14E3P5N 	NW 	T 	Round-Trip 	358.00 (USD) 			View Rules    View Routing
LR7N1C 	US 	L 	Round-Trip 	358.00 (USD) 			View Rules    View Routing
WE143NRX 	UA 	W 	Round-Trip 	358.00 (USD) 			View Rules    View Routing
GE10Z3N 	AA 	G 	Round-Trip 	358.00 (USD) 			View Rules    View Routing
QR7N1C 	HP 	Q 	Round-Trip 	358.00 (USD) 			View Rules    View Routing
SR143BN 	CO 	S 	Round-Trip 	362.00 (USD) 			View Rules    View Routing
UR143BN 	CO 	U 	Round-Trip 	362.00 (USD) 			View Rules    View Routing

I agree with Dave; if your needs are specific and inflexible, do not wait; drill down the best deal you can get now and book it. That's not to say to not research and find the best deal (look at all the options you can), but to do it today. Summer travel this year is likely to be quite interesting, IMO.

Good luck!

Pat

Dave M · May 12, 2006, 09:52 AM

Pat -

I also considered suggesting some less expensive alternatives. However, I think the challenge is in the OP's first sentence. She is looking for specific flights for her teen to match up with the rest of the group.

camachinist · May 12, 2006, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave M

Pat -

I also considered suggesting some less expensive alternatives. However, I think the challenge is in the OP's first sentence. She is looking for specific flights for her teen to match up with the rest of the group.

Quote:

I need to ticket my teen on specific flights on Continental SFO-Newark to match up with the itinerary of a teen group with which he is traveling on from Newark

Dave, this is why I requested more information. He does not appear to be traveling with a group to Newark, merely onward from Newark with a group. So, as long as he gets to Newark at the appropriate time on the appropriate date, he should be OK, regardless of airline or origination point. Do I misunderstand?

Pat

calgal · May 12, 2006, 10:31 AM

He is on his own between Bay area and Newark airport, could take any airline but I thought it would be easier on Continental since his flight to Tel Aviv (group purchased tickets) is on Continental and yesterday the CSR told me he would be able to check his luggage all the way through to Tel Aviv even if he was traveling on 2 sequential e-tickets. He is only 15, so I want him to take nonstops. Oakland is our local airport but doesn't seem to have nonstops that meet the schedule requirements.He has to meet his group no later than 12 noon 6/27 at Newark, and needs to schedule his return from Newark to Bay area no earlier than 7PM 8/6. The best flights I found in terms of schedule are CO 1829, which gets him to Newark at 8AM (4 hours before rendezvous time and 8 hours before flight to Israel) and CO 648, which is the empty flight with only "K" availability. CO 648 leaves at 7:30 PM, there is another nonstop that leaves at 8:20 PM and I have intermittently seen lower fares on that flight on either Travelocity or Expedia, but not Continental. and not right now.

May 12, 2006, 12:09 AM	#1
calgal TUG Member BBS Reg. Date: Jun 6, 05 Location: Lafayette, CA Posts: 668 Resorts: Grand Pacific Palisades, Hyatt High Sierra Lodge, Marriott Cypress Harbour, Walden II at Inverness	Continental fare buckets-advice please I need to ticket my teen on specific flights on Continental SFO-Newark to match up with the itinerary of a teen group with which he is traveling on from Newark. The outbound flight is a good price and a "U" class. The inbound is expensive and is a "K" class. Total is $534 roundtrip, which is way high in my opinion. When I look at Orbitz for the seat map, both of these flights are virtually empty. The more expensive leg only has a total of 5 economy seats reserved on the seating map. Is this one of the circumstances where it is better to wait and watch and the fares are likely to go down?

May 12, 2006, 09:06 AM	#2
Dave M Moderator TUG Lifetime Member BBS Reg. Date: Jun 16, 04 Location: Sun City Hilton Head, SC Posts: 11,351	Re: Continental fare buckets-advice please If the flight is for any time between now and early September, I think the chances that you'll find a lower fare are slim. Planes, even in this historically not-so-busy spring period, are at near-record capacity levels. The forecast for summer travel is that it will be tough to find seats at any price without careful advance planning. Thus, it's very likely that CO has determined that the "K" fare flight will sell out and there is no need to offer seats at one of the less expensive fares. Fares will likely go up, but not down. If, however, the flight is after mid-September, there is a slight chance of a fare sale that would lower the price, since that fall shoulder season has historically been a slower travel period. Still, with passenger traffic up and the number of flights down, it's easier for airlines to keep prices high (and continue increasing them) than ever before. The continuing increase in the cost of jet fuel will likely force continued fare increases. There is one other possibility. Some people posting on the FlyerTalk CO forum have reported finding lower fare class tickets very close to flight dates - within a week or two before the flight, apparently after CO determined it guessed incorrectly that the flight would sell out. Playing such a waiting game and hoping that there is even one seat left would not be my choice. Waiting is risky. Every travel article I have read recently about airfares, including one in the WSJ earlier this week, suggests they will go higher in the short run, not lower. Accordingly, I would buy the ticket now.

May 12, 2006, 09:52 AM	#4
Dave M Moderator TUG Lifetime Member BBS Reg. Date: Jun 16, 04 Location: Sun City Hilton Head, SC Posts: 11,351	Re: Continental fare buckets-advice please Pat - I also considered suggesting some less expensive alternatives. However, I think the challenge is in the OP's first sentence. She is looking for specific flights for her teen to match up with the rest of the group.

May 12, 2006, 10:31 AM	#6
calgal TUG Member BBS Reg. Date: Jun 6, 05 Location: Lafayette, CA Posts: 668 Resorts: Grand Pacific Palisades, Hyatt High Sierra Lodge, Marriott Cypress Harbour, Walden II at Inverness	Re: Continental fare buckets-advice please He is on his own between Bay area and Newark airport, could take any airline but I thought it would be easier on Continental since his flight to Tel Aviv (group purchased tickets) is on Continental and yesterday the CSR told me he would be able to check his luggage all the way through to Tel Aviv even if he was traveling on 2 sequential e-tickets. He is only 15, so I want him to take nonstops. Oakland is our local airport but doesn't seem to have nonstops that meet the schedule requirements.He has to meet his group no later than 12 noon 6/27 at Newark, and needs to schedule his return from Newark to Bay area no earlier than 7PM 8/6. The best flights I found in terms of schedule are CO 1829, which gets him to Newark at 8AM (4 hours before rendezvous time and 8 hours before flight to Israel) and CO 648, which is the empty flight with only "K" availability. CO 648 leaves at 7:30 PM, there is another nonstop that leaves at 8:20 PM and I have intermittently seen lower fares on that flight on either Travelocity or Expedia, but not Continental. and not right now. Last edited by calgal : May 12, 2006 at 11:12 AM.

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