Which Fare Would Use Choose?

[AKA_trvlr64]

I need to fly PIT to SBN on 8/23/04 to 8/26/04. US wants $837.40 ATA only wants $244.00. Can someone explain who is is responsible for such an outrageous prince difference? And btw, the flight times are comparable for both airlines. With a price sensitive boss who do you think is going to get my business?

 

[LaBradford22]

Also, if you end up having to cancel the trip, will your price sensitive boss be happy that ATA will not refund your $244?

 

[hp_fa]

For half the nearly $600.00 difference he can go the night before, stay at a nice hotel and eat two good meals. The boss saves $300.00 this way.

BTW, the r/t mileage is 652. That is $1.28 per mile.

 

[hp_fa]

Spot on! Also what if leaving a day early causes the US fare to drop to $350.00? Same old same old. Price versus true cost of a purchase decision.

[post="167041"][/post]​

I'd also agree with that.

 

[ELP_WN_Psgr]

Just a quick thought here....

when an air carrier has a completion rate somewhere North of ninety-nine-point-oh, and an on time percentage in the eighties...just what is the real likelihood that an individual is going to have to be rebooked on another airline?

I'm not a world traveler or anything, but over the last three years I have averaged about 25,000 AAdvantage miles per year on AA and 64 RR credits per year on WN.

I've been oversold on Delta and voluntarily let them put me on American.

I've had Delta run 8 hrs late and I was able to catch AA...but DL didn't do it....it was a full Y ticket and I had to get it refunded and then go over to AA and buy a new ticket.

I cannot remember the last time I've had a flight cancel out from under me and had the carrier put me on another airline. In fact, if it has happened to me, I can't remember.

Maybe I am just real lucky. I dunno. But for the very little my opinion is worth, I am not sure the extra cost of the ticket in question would be justified by the extra assurance I might have flying with someone who interlines.

If it's weather or ATC problems, EVERYBODY is going to be impacted and the chances of you being rerouted on anyone are practically nil.

In this day and age of 85%+ load factors, the likelihood of the interlining carrier finding me an empty seat is not all that great, either.

I will agree that there is some value attached if an airline has some arrangements to take care of you if the plane craps out. However, I am not sure the risk is great enough to justify the kind of reward mentioned.

 

[sfb]

For half the nearly $600.00 difference he can go the night before, stay at a nice hotel and eat two good meals. The boss saves $300.00 this way.

BTW, the r/t mileage is 652. That is $1.28 per mile.

[post="167030"][/post]​

Shoot, if the flight from Midway were to cancel, you could rent a car or take a cab the 90 miles for less than $600. It's almost not worth connecting at MDW given that the ride from Chicago to South Bend is all expressway (unless you run into serious traffic).

 

[javaboy]

i just checked below are my results
Select Fare to See Applicable Dates in Yellow
Pittsburgh, PA to South Bend, IN on US Airways
Note: Fares are per person and do not include all taxes and fees.

Roundtrip Price in US$ Fare Rules
$149
$187
$190
$211
$224
$366
$378
$397
$820
$920
$1020




There are 8 fares below the fare you choose to compare to.
so using the 244.00 for ATA fly UAIR for 149 and save and travel non stop.

your welcome

 

[tadjr]

Actually we do have an interline with ATA I believe. I've seen them send people over from St Pete to us to get to IND on a fim. Not sure why they didnt with you or if things have changed since your flight.

 

[ELP_WN_Psgr]

My time is way to valuable to bother to deal with the vagaries of the turd brown bus style of air transit.

Bob, surely you can make your point without having to stoop to ad hominem attacks. (I'm not quite sure if attacking an airline is ad hominem, but whatever...)

You think U offers a superior product. Okay fine. I think their product is okay but nothing extraordinary. I am happiest on the turd brown bus....maybe that has something to do with the levels of service they offer where I go the most. That's okay too. You claim to have libertarian instincts, so it's all about choice.

You worry about blowing a million dollar deal if the plane is late. I am willing to risk it for a $500 savings in airfare or thereabouts. That's a choice.

Best of luck on your next million dollar deal.

//ELP

 

[ELP_WN_Psgr]

Hmm, let's see is 4% commission on a $1,000,000 more or less than $500? Geez I think it's more. Game, Set, Match!

Not quite game, set, match.

You would have to factor in ALL the variables. You seem like a pretty sharp guy, so I am sure you have.

The likelihood that airline "X" will suffer a cancellation or delay.

Whether or not airline "X" has a schedule such that they can still get you to your meeting.

The possibility that airline "Y" with its interline agreements will be able to get you protected on somebody else's flight.

Whether or not anyone else even flies into city "Z"

How likely is it that an airline delay will jeopardize the business deal? You know, even the luxurious legacy carriers with their sporadic beverage service and indifferent FAs (not referring to the U folks) and 30" of legroom in the euphimistically named "main cabin" suffer from delays and cancellations...especially if you end up on one of their less reputable commuter partners. I've even read on this board that some of the planes operated under the U banner by certain affiliates are a crapshoot at best. Even if you gave airline "Y" $9,000 for your ticket for a 300 mile ride, things can go wrong. But some folks, even if they stagger into a meeting unshaven and smelling of booze, are sufficiently charming to clinch a business deal despite tardiness.

Nothing in life is certain except death. You could charter your own jet, but it might break. Airline Y and Airline X both have mechanicals. Seems like I've even heard on this board that the new wonder aircraft, the E170, has a mechanical every now and then. If Airline Y's airplane suffers a mechanical problem, they may try to reroute you, but there is no certainty they will...especially if you are on your way to Dubuque or Zanesville. You could drive your own automobile but you might get hit broadside by a station wagon full of nuns. You just never know what Fortuna has in store for you.

Like I said, it all boils down to choice. If it's worth it to some to buy the higher priced ticket, then by all means, that is what they should do. Others may be just as happy as clams pressing their luck (big bucks big bucks no whammies) on ATA or...God forbid....the omnipresent turd brown bus.

It helps if you have a healthy Calvinistic sense of predestination. If the plane you are on was meant, in the great big scheme of things, to break down or cancel, it will. If you were meant to arrive late at a meeting, then that is what will happen.

 

[AKA_trvlr64]

Shoot, if the flight from Midway were to cancel, you could rent a car or take a cab the 90 miles for less than $600. It's almost not worth connecting at MDW given that the ride from Chicago to South Bend is all expressway (unless you run into serious traffic).

[post="167062"][/post]​

i just checked below are my results
Select Fare to See Applicable Dates in Yellow
Pittsburgh, PA to South Bend, IN on US Airways
Note: Fares are per person and do not include all taxes and fees.

Roundtrip Price in US$ Fare Rules
$149
$187
$190
$211
$224
$366
$378
$397
$820
$920
$1020




There are 8 fares below the fare you choose to compare to.
so using the 244.00 for ATA fly UAIR for 149 and save and travel non stop.



Well considering I have to be at a customer site before NOON, those airfares for the times I need to travel do not apply. As some people on here know quite well it's important to get to work in a timely manner. I have to depart on a Monday morning and return home Thursday morning. I'm already staying an extra day because the return flights are not convenient to completing my required time at the customer site and trying to get home.

 

[AKA_trvlr64]

oops

 

[mweiss]

And, then again, how often are your travels about a 4% commission on a million dollar deal that hinges upon your timely arrival?

I've had a great deal of professional travel, and none of them were of that caliber. The closest I've come is a series of trips where I was presenting at the destination site to a group of influential people. I always flew in the day before. Why? Because it was critical that I be there. It was critical enough that my employer was willing to pay for the additional day out of the office, and the additional hotel night.

So, with that in mind, I'm curious just how often your travels are about a 4% commission on a million dollar deal that hinges upon your timely arrival, but it's somehow not sufficiently critical to be worth paying for the additional night of hotel?

 

[wwtraveler99]

Bob, surely you can make your point without having to stoop to ad hominem attacks. (I'm not quite sure if attacking an airline is ad hominem, but whatever...)

You think U offers a superior product. Okay fine. I think their product is okay but nothing extraordinary. I am happiest on the turd brown bus....maybe that has something to do with the levels of service they offer where I go the most. That's okay too. You claim to have libertarian instincts, so it's all about choice.

You worry about blowing a million dollar deal if the plane is late. I am willing to risk it for a $500 savings in airfare or thereabouts. That's a choice.

Best of luck on your next million dollar deal.

//ELP

[post="167078"][/post]​

ELP,

There is no sense even replying to to Bob. He is Ultra-pro Usair, and the most anti-Southest/LCC on these boards. I think it is great he has such dedication for his hometown carrier. I am sure Southwest has their die-hards as well.