AA, DL, UA change multi-city booking rules

[exceladdict]

Noted this via a linkedin post, and it's 3 days old, so may have been reported elsewhere: Fliers beware: Airline rule change could cost hundreds extra

"The three largest U.S. airlines have changed the way they price multi-city trips, forcing those who book such itineraries to pay hundreds of extra dollars in airfare.

Most fliers buy simple round-trip tickets and won't be affected. But travelers visiting several cities on one trip, especially those flying for business, are seeing airfares six or seven times the normal price."

It basically seems to prohibit booking discount-economy tickets as connecting multi-city tickets - limiting to the more expensive flexible fares.

Hopefully this doesn't impact those wonderful YUPP status runs - the other biggest impact I perceive is that by forcing people on to multiple tickets, if your connecting flight doesn't arrive on time, you've got a whole lot more hassle getting where you need to go.

 

[docjames]

Great explanation of this from the cranky flier.

http://crankyflier.com/2016/03/31/a...ng-travelers-to-overpay-for-multi-city-trips/

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Noted this via a linkedin post, and it's 3 days old, so may have been reported elsewhere: Fliers beware: Airline rule change could cost hundreds extra



It basically seems to prohibit booking discount-economy tickets as connecting multi-city tickets - limiting to the more expensive flexible fares.

Hopefully this doesn't impact those wonderful YUPP status runs - the other biggest impact I perceive is that by forcing people on to multiple tickets, if your connecting flight doesn't arrive on time, you've got a whole lot more hassle getting where you need to go.

Theoretically it shouldn't impact YUPP fares. YUPP fares are (were) traditionally multi sectors, designed to poach travellers away from non-stops, offered either by the operating airline, or a competitor. As you are flying via a hub (instead of non-stop), the fare is reduced.

As for separate connecting tickets... AA will protect you as a matter of their own policy. Not sure about the policy with UA or DL.