The “2-to-8 Rate” is the latest EasyUp fare innovation. Crossing the pond with family or friends? Learn about this new airfare category to get unpublicized discounts of up to 47%.
I have to hand it to the airlines on this one for exploiting a market niche: two-to-eight travelers on the same itinerary (AKA the family, extended family, or group of friends). That’s why FCF calls these fares “2-to-8 Rates.” They’re reminiscent of American Express’ International Airline Program (IAP), which offers a free companion ticket with the purchase of a full-fare premium ticket. But the IAP cost is usually more than buying two discount tickets if you plan ahead, so most people don’t even think about it (more on when you should consider Amex’s IAP coming soon).
New 2-to-8 Rates
These new EasyUp Business Class fares give you up to 47% off in return for booking just 50 days out and having two or more travelers. See screenshot below; a $3,749 fare that drops by $1,750 when two travel together versus singly. In other words, two tickets cost nearly the same as one. (The new fare could start a new version of “throwaway ticketing”!)
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Discovered in late 2012. We predicted that they would be the death knell of upgrading as we know it. FCF coined the name “EasyUp” because the fare structure was similar to domestic “Y-UP” (pronounced why-up) fares, a term popularized in the 1990’s based on the “UP” letters in the fare basis code.
The name also referred to the fact that these fares were no-brainers: Pay cash for a fare not much more than coach, save the miles for another day. The challenge: The fares don’t usually last very long, in some cases only hours.
But the fares have gone mainstream, minus publicity, in part because fares this low—frequently 40% less than the lowest published fares—upset airline corporate customers that pay Full Fare. That’s one reason why they are seldom advertised.
Recent EasyUp fare evolutions have included:
- American and United Wave the White Flag on First Class Fares to Asia, and
- Two New Transatlantic Fare Versions Just Discovered, 31% to 72% Off Business and First Class, and
- United Joins EasyUp Fare Revolution With New First Class Fares Slashed to South America, and
- EasyUp Business Class fares as low as $1,216 to London; read Oct. 15 alerts, and other recent alerts. with Flash EasyUp fares and to Europe.
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Almost Unlimited Range of Usage
Moreover, this new fare is available across all three alliances and most major airlines (Air Canada, Air France, Alitalia, American, Austrian, British Airways, Brussels, Delta, Finnair, Iberia, KLM, Lufthansa, SWISS, and United). Besides the 50-day advance purchase, here is the other fine print: 10-day minimum stay, three-month maximum stay, April 8 ticketing deadline (which may change); but no departure or return window!
Valid European Destinations: Amsterdam, Barcelona, Bucharest, Budapest, Casablanca, Copenhagen, Dublin, Istanbul, Lisbon, Madrid, Milan, Nice, Oslo, Paris, Prague, Rome, Shannon, Sofia, Stockholm, and Warsaw, just to name a few.
U.S. Departure Cities: Almost all, among them Atlanta, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Miami, Memphis, New York, Las Vegas, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Raleigh-Durham, San Francisco, and Seattle.
Business Class Fare for Everyone
It seems the airlines have found a way to have something for every traveler—and that requires a new Upgrade Mindset.
- Traveling by yourself, and not willing to gamble on flash sale fares, then book 150+ days out to get the lowest price.
- Two or more travelers, and not willing to gamble on flash sale fares, book 50-days out on the same flight itinerary to get the new 2-to-8 Rates. More sample savings in the October 19 alert, the October 15 alert, and the October 12 alert.
In other words, these work for single or travel companions not willing to gamble and wait for Flash EasyUp sale fares— generally starting from $1,400 and more recently we have even seen fares as low as $1,216 to London from the West and East Coast; read the first and second Oct. 15 alerts.
Sample of New Business Class 2-to-8 Rates Discounted Up to 47%
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Upgrade Mindset Q & A
- How do 2-to-8s compare to Flash EasyUp Fares? Flash EasyUp fares under $2,000 are often a better deal, but they don’t last long (often only hours) and are not always offered by all airlines or on all routes. 2-to-8 Rates are more constant and has a broader range of airlines and destinations.
- How do 2-to-8s compare to new 150-day advance fares? Varies by route; at times about $200 to $400 less, at times the same, at other times about $200 or more. Seems negligible, but there are a lot more people—especially the gambling type—who’d much rather hold out seven weeks, rather than play it safe 21 weeks in advance.
- Are 2-to-8s upgradeable to First Class? Airlines that allow an upgrade on discounted Business Class fares—which include American, British Airways, and United—allow an upgrade on these fares with miles.
- Do 2-to-8 fares earn miles? Yes, based on discounted Business Class fare rates; and elite status bonuses, too.