Why You'll Want to Avoid Multi-City Itineraries
In the past, if you were going on a trip and planning to visit multiple cities, there was a good chance you booked your airline tickets on a multi-city itinerary. This was usually the easiest way to book complicated itineraries — and often times, the cheapest. But now, all three of the major US airlines have unexpectedly changed their policies for these multi-city itineraries, making the same fares exponentially more expensive in many cases.
Flyers who plan on booking multi-city trips should now think twice about simply going through airlines' sites or Google Flights with the multi-city option. Instead, it could now be best to book several one-way tickets in order to avoid the higher prices. Why? Because the airlines seemingly simultaneously decided to include only fully refundable fares instead of the lowest fares available when combining one-way tickets.
Here's an example of the new fares and how expensive they've gotten:
For this itinerary from Newark (EWR) to Chicago (ORD), from ORD to Los Angeles (LAX), from LAX to San Francisco (SFO) and the return from SFO to EWR, United is charging $995 for the ticket. However, if you book several one-way tickets, you'll come up with a much cheaper ticket.
A one-way ticket from EWR to ORD for $124.
Total cost for the trip: $124
A one-way ticket from ORD to LAX for $36.
Total cost for the trip: $160
A one-way ticket from LAX to SFO for $68.
Total cost for the trip: $228
A one-way ticket from SFO to EWR for $149.
Total cost for the trip: $377
As you can see, the same multi-city itinerary booked on one ticket will cost you $995. However, the same exact trip booked on four one-way tickets will cost just $377 — a $618 or 62% difference! Although this example is with United, the same goes for American and Delta under their new policies. In some cases, this is just the tip of the iceberg — prices of multi-city itineraries booked on a single ticket skyrocket past those same itineraries booked on several one-way tickets.
However, it's worth noting that this seems to only apply to flights originating in the US. So if you're planning on booking a multi-city ticket originating overseas, it could still make sense to book a multi-city ticket as opposed to several one-way tickets. Of course, it's best to check this yourself, but several itineraries we've tried seem to work out to the same price or less expensive when booking multi-city tickets.
Bottom Line
In the end, the consumer usually comes out behind with this change. For the unexperienced traveler, they might think they're getting the best fare by booking a single multi-city ticket without realizing there's a better deal in booking multiple one-way tickets. In addition, the traveler loses if they need to make a change to their itinerary with change fees on multiple tickets, rather than a single fee on one ticket. That being said, it's always best to try a few options to make sure you're getting the best fare on a multi-city trip.
H/T: AP (via CBS)
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.