Price Differences. Grrr.

[preiffer]

OK, we all know that sale fares affect markets/geographies at different times of the year. We also know that "non-native" carriers often provide cheaper tickets at times for flights departing countries where they're less well known.

But I'm really struggling with VS on this one now. For the SAME return journey, just in different directions, both with "purchasing city" set to London:

Fare basis | Price Ex-LON £ | Price Ex-US £

X | 275 | 306 (Lowest, Non-Sale, Economy) - 10% less
L | 565 | 388 (Lowest Upgradable Economy) - 45% more!
K | 965 | 579 (Lowest Premium Economy) - 66% more!
Y | 1106 | 480 (Full Fare Economy) - 130% more!
D | 5186 | 3575 (Restricted Upper) - 45% more!
J | 7826 | 6328 (Full Fare Upper) - 24% more!


While I understand that exact fare basis/construction will be slightly different between territories, some (most) of these differences just take the absolute p|ss... [:(!][V]

Be interested in you trying similar from India, I've found that booking a J at days notice is a bargain when your Web browser picks up that you're abroad!

On a related subject, I've been trying to get a reasonable UC ticket to SYD and had pretty much given up, when I was reminded of the possibility of booking xxx-LHD-SYD-LHR-xxx where xxx is somewhere like Amsterdam.

Sure enough, checking out that route, the price dropped from 4-6K GBP to around 2.5K GBP[:0]; all I have to do is get to Amsterdam only to come back to LHR to get on the SYD flight. I don't care what anyone says, this is nuts to have such a difference going to SYD by simply spending 70 quid on a return to AMS (and only using half of it[}:)]) and saving 1.5K-3.5K GBP in the process. Ridiculous.[:(!]

[mcmbenjamin]

Originally posted by vizbiz
On a related subject, I've been trying to get a reasonable UC ticket to SYD and had pretty much given up, when I was reminded of the possibility of booking xxx-LHD-SYD-LHR-xxx where xxx is somewhere like Amsterdam.

Sure enough, checking out that route, the price dropped from 4-6K GBP to around 2.5K GBP[:0]; all I have to do is get to Amsterdam only to come back to LHR to get on the SYD flight. I don't care what anyone says, this is nuts to have such a difference going to SYD by simply spending 70 quid on a return to AMS (and only using half of it[}:)]) and saving 1.5K-3.5K GBP in the process. Ridiculous.[:(!]

It is ridiculous. But I think other people would think flying to AMS to only return to LHR is ridiculous. Personal I think is it a good idea. And you do not need to go to AMS on the return. Just get off at LHR but be sure to have your bags checked to LHR not AMS.

Originally posted by mcmbenjamin

Originally posted by vizbiz
On a related subject, I've been trying to get a reasonable UC ticket to SYD and had pretty much given up, when I was reminded of the possibility of booking xxx-LHD-SYD-LHR-xxx where xxx is somewhere like Amsterdam.

Sure enough, checking out that route, the price dropped from 4-6K GBP to around 2.5K GBP[:0]; all I have to do is get to Amsterdam only to come back to LHR to get on the SYD flight. I don't care what anyone says, this is nuts to have such a difference going to SYD by simply spending 70 quid on a return to AMS (and only using half of it[}:)]) and saving 1.5K-3.5K GBP in the process. Ridiculous.[:(!]

It is ridiculous. But I think other people would think flying to AMS to only return to LHR is ridiculous. Personal I think is it a good idea. And you do not need to go to AMS on the return. Just get off at LHR but be sure to have your bags checked to LHR not AMS.

Well, anyone who thinks it's ridiculous to just fly to AMS to save maybe £2-3K GBP has a lot more money than I...[:w]

Can someone please explain to me why Airlines sell like this as it does not make sense to me.

On a PE flight to NY in a couple of weeks its £1650 LHR-NYC, £1200 AMS-NYC or £1150 NYC-LHR. These are the same planes, I can understand airlines wanting to maximise revenue but surely that is exactly what they are not doing.

I guess the back to back method works if you know you're going to be doing a route multiple times.

FM

[Scrooge]

Originally posted by FamilyMan
Can someone please explain to me why Airlines sell like this as it does not make sense to me.


FM

Ok let me give it a shot....

The idea behind having lower fares with say AMS is to stimulate demand.

In order for a pax to want to travel through LHR you must give them a reason.

So offer a lower price and get them to go AMS-LHR-NYC rather than AMS-NYC direct.

Of course being the savvy folk that we are..there are times we can take advantage of this as well.

Ok so IMHO airline pricing is nuts, but there you go.

Am I missing something - I can't see how to select AMS as a departure city on the Virgin site?

I'd like to consider AMS-LHR-CPT UCS

[preiffer]

Ahem, you can't.

Use the link to the clubhouse topic, above, and you'll see more info.

Can someone point me to the link to this ex AMS details in the clubhouse section. Thanks

[Neil]

Originally posted by manymiles
Can someone point me to the link to this ex AMS details in the clubhouse section. Thanks

here

If someone knows how to link to my topic of Tickets/Paint - Paint/Tickets on the 26/2/06 then I feel it'll explain everything very clearly...[}:)]

[Scrooge]

What really scares the heck out of me is that that is a 2 year old thread..and taxes were a whole 100 quid..thank Mr Chancellor.

BTW..I have just noticed a very (big $600) price drop in the PE prices LAS - LGW...I sign that maybe the stupid pricing at VS is finally easing off ?

[preiffer]

No Dave, a sign that VS have just launched a US Fare Sale

[Scrooge]

Originally posted by preiffer
No Dave, a sign that VS have just launched a US Fare Sale

Oh...well same difference to me with the way that VS and BA launch fare sales...Now where is my sale for July next yeah [^]

[mcmbenjamin]

But they are all N fare. Crap. X or higher

[Scrooge]

Originally posted by mcmbenjamin
But they are all N fare. Crap. X or higher

But if you are looking for a PE fare unless you want to upgrade from it who cares, they earn the same miles and TP's as any PE fare.

Originally posted by Scrooge

Originally posted by mcmbenjamin
But they are all N fare. Crap. X or higher

But if you are looking for a PE fare unless you want to upgrade from it who cares, they earn the same miles and TP's as any PE fare.

I care as I rarely travel over a weekend and normally book less than 3 weeks from travel - so these are not an option for me, regardless of miles and TP's

FM

[Scrooge]

I was refering to the fact that N fares are in Y...Not the price difference.

I understand where you are coming from though, I am sad to say that you are in a no win postion.