Upper Class Price Hikes?

Have I missed something? A week or two ago I checked the price of a UC Z class and it was the usual 1,700 or thereabouts. Now I find that across the board everything has shot up dramatically. Z fares that were 1,700 are now showing as 2,600 with the web site marking these as 'low' like it's the new entry-level. Doesn't matter how far ahead I check for lower fares. Seems a sudden price hike just kicked in for the new financial year. While it may bring more money in for VS, BA hasn't made the same price hike and are still offering CW for the entry-level 1,700 mark. It may cause a reduction in UC pax who were prepared to pay 1,700 but not much more. Is this VS taking advantage of wealthier pax to save their skin in this difficult time? Could have the opposite effect.

[honey lamb]

You don't say where you are travelling to, but the reality is that for the past few weeks VS has had a UC fare sale which ended recently. Therefore if you checked fares a couple of weeks ago you probably got fares at the tail end of the sale

[Scrooge]

quote:Originally posted by mcnaugha
While it may bring more money in for VS, BA hasn't made the same price hike and are still offering CW for the entry-level 1,700 mark. It may cause a reduction in UC pax who were prepared to pay 1,700 but not much more. Is this VS taking advantage of wealthier pax to save their skin in this difficult time? Could have the opposite effect.


The price won't stick if BA doesn't match it.

Depending on where you travel, e.g. LHR-LAX, normal UC Z fares where in the UKP2,500+ range last year when I booked, so I think you are seeing normal Z fares.

Also consider, recent UC sales are now over and BA I believe still does have some sales acive.

Yes, I believe BA are offering reduced CW fares to several US cities, ie. LHR-LAX 1695, LHR-JFK 1048 although they are not advertising a sale. Maybe VS will match these prices.

[HighFlyer]

1700 for a Z sounds exactly like a sale fare to me, unless its MCO, and even then that is often well in advance.

Thanks,
Sarah

quote:Originally posted by lilyjosh0
Yes, I believe BA are offering reduced CW fares to several US cities, ie. LHR-LAX 1695, LHR-JFK 1048 although they are not advertising a sale. Maybe VS will match these prices.


VS seem pretty quiet at the moment on this one, which is unusual, normally they match BA within hours, not that there is any collusion going on [ii]. I wonder if by not advertising it and not being price matched, people book BA over VS if they compare, as they book the one that's much cheaper. More sales for BA without having to advertise a cheaper deal? [:?]

I can only suggest that every time I have ever checked (e.g. LHR-SFO) Z fares in the past I've hit upon Sale fares without even knowing it. I could swear this time last year that was not the kind of Z price showing up. Was the Sale on extra long last year? I always had it in my head that Z meant 1,700ish.

[Scrooge]

Yes the sale was extra extra long, I have not looked, but has BA raised it's CW fares yet, if they havn't give it a day before booking anything as VS is liable to lower their fares.

Booked a Z to BOS last month for travel in June and I paid 1,200. Same date and class now just under 2k. Must have been a sale and I didn't realise it!

[Scrooge]

quote:Originally posted by Scrooge
Yes the sale was extra extra long, I have not looked, but has BA raised it's CW fares yet, if they havn't give it a day before booking anything as VS is liable to lower their fares.


Well I called that one, sale back on now.