Expedia, Orbitz Have RT, PHL-MCO on Multiple Carriers, Cheap??

[Bill From PA]

Given the concern over fuel prices, I'm looking to lock in an airfare from PHL to MCO for my March 2006 trip. Right now, fares are only announced to Feb. 2006 so I'm checking them to see what to expect. Both Orbitz and Expedia have RT, direct flights to MCO from PHL at $186, but these feature USAir going down and United on the flip. This amounts to 2 one-way tickets which I thought were a more expensive way to go. I've seen such itineraries on these search engines in the past, but they were usually more expensive or featured bizarre connections. This combo is ideal for me as it's cheaper by $30 + than either USAir or United both ways. Anyone familiar with this? BTW, I'm looking at 2/2 - 2/12, 6:30 am departure on USAir with a 6:15 return on United, non-stop both ways.

Bill From PA

 

[CarolA]

I think the reason it is pricing as a round trip is that United and USAir have a code share agreement where they sell tickets on each other's airlines. So the computers see it as a round trip.

Actually for Orlando one ways can sometimes not be a horrid price. I think that is due to the "low cost" carriers like SW that sell one ways fairly cheap.

 

[Lewisc]

I think some of the web sites have access to consolidator fares. I've seen them do connecting flights on two different airlines. I didn't think to check if they were code share flights.