Value in booking international air: 1 Airline Space Manipulation

Welcome to the first installment of a series that aims to unravel the complexities of airline ticket pricing. In this article, we'll delve into the intricate world of fare structures using the example of Malta, a charming island nation that presents an ideal scenario to illustrate a clever booking tactic.

Let's start by demystifying fares. Did you know that for the same flights on the same dates, there can be hundreds of different fares? The governing factor in this intricate dance is the booking code or "class of service" in Air Lingo. In our case, under "C" for business class, the cheapest fares fall under "P," and the second cheapest under "Z."

The priciest, known as "J" fares, rounds up the list. Keep in mind; this is just for business class. When we include Premium Plus and Economy, there are over 250 possible United fares to Malta in August 2024.

Moving on to the practical application, let's consider the United space from Denver to Malta via Frankfurt. UA8879, a codeshare operated by Lufthansa (LH447), offers a fare of approximately $6500 for the outbound journey as only “D” space is available. However, if you opt for UA182 (United-operated for miles), the best fare through United is a higher $8950 as only “C” space is available as we see on the United Website.

YIKES!

Now, an important detail surfaces – some carriers share actual fares. Lufthansa's fares may look similar to United's, but the matching occurs only if both airlines grant equal access to the necessary "classes of service." However, on popular days like a Friday in August, this cooperation may not be in place. The fares will be just as high all booked with Lufthansa as they would all booked as United.

Consider the scenario where the Lufthansa space from Denver to Malta appears unfavorable. However, analyzing the United space from Denver to Frankfurt reveals wide-open business class availability on the United-operated flight. Simultaneously, Lufthansa's space to Malta also shows available.

By strategically manipulating these factors, a fare of $5550 can be achieved, presenting a potential saving of $3500 per ticket. While this tactic doesn't guarantee success every time, it can be advantageous, especially if the airline accepts the booking or waitlists it. For United Premier members seeking maximum value on status, this could be a game-changer.

Understanding, pulling, and manipulating fares is a valuable skill that often goes unnoticed in conventional web searches. This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to adding value in booking international air. Stay tuned for more articles, as I explore four additional ways to navigate the intricacies of international airfare.