Release of flights for bookings

[GladstoneTim]

Just wondering, do all airlines/reservation systems release their seats for booking the same number of days ahead? Waning to book as early as possible for flights at the end of December, 2015 to SIN ex BNE.

 

[Mattg]

Just wondering, do all airlines/reservation systems release their seats for booking the same number of days ahead? Waning to book as early as possible for flights at the end of December, 2015 to SIN.

The short answer is no. I believe Qantas releases flights 353 days in advance, while others might be 330 days out. Which airline/s are you looking at?

 

[GladstoneTim]

The short answer is no. I believe Qantas releases flights 353 days in advance, while others might be 330 days out. Which airline/s are you looking at?

Thanks Mattg. Mostly interested in price as it is for 5 pax. Have spied a China Eastern or Southern fare which actually code shared on QF via MEL at a good rate but have only used dummy dates for this Dec. We have a credit with Flight Centre that has to be used by the 31st January 2015 so was wanting to use it towards airfares if possible,,,but the return flights from SIN wouldn't be before the 18th January 2016. A bit complex, hey?

 

[Mattg]

Thanks Mattg. Mostly interested in price as it is for 5 pax. Have spied a China Eastern or Southern fare which actually code shared on QF via MEL at a good rate but have only used dummy dates for this Dec. We have a credit with Flight Centre that has to be used by the 31st January 2015 so was wanting to use it towards airfares if possible,,,but the return flights from SIN wouldn't be before the 18th January 2016. A bit complex, hey?

As far as I can see, the QF coded China Southern flights will still be released 353 days out. I think you're best bet would probably be to book the return flight on a date earlier than you actually plan to fly, then change the flight once it becomes available (for a fee).

SQ releases seats 355 days out and MH only 330, so that's not much help to you.

Maybe someone else could offer some ideas?

 

[ftm]

Most airlines will do a free of charge reissue when your desired date is outside the system range. You'll either need to book it direct with the airline or with a TA that knows what they're doing. Needs to be noted in the booking prior to issuing the ticket.

 

[GladstoneTim]

Most airlines will do a free of charge reissue when your desired date is outside the system range. You'll either need to book it direct with the airline or with a TA that knows what they're doing. Needs to be noted in the booking prior to issuing the ticket.

Thanks ftm. How does it work with calculating the fare if the date isn't released for sale yet?

 

[ftm]

The way you do it, is you book the fare class that you want on the last date that it is in the system. The fare is calculated off that (it's the departure date that determines the seasonality, so the return date is all about fare class availability). Then when the airline releases their availability for the day you want, as long as the same fare class is available, then it's just a quick FOC reissue....

 

[GladstoneTim]

You book the fare class that you want on the last date that it is in the system. Then when the airline releases their availability for the day you want, as long as the same fare class is available, then it's just a quick FOC reissue....

Ahhhh, that makes sense. Thank you for your insight and wisdom, ftm.

 

[mooingchicken]

Yep as said any travel agent should be able to do this date swap and it will be fee/charge free aslong as same fare class (which if they do within a few days of release it will be (been offered a few times) just be aware, when they release the fares they are normally full retail, then offer discount seats and sales a little later on (this has been my experiance anyway ie prices to LHR 2.4 down to 1.7k), so depending on how much credit you have might be worth booking seperate for. But being it is end of dec they might not have any sales for that period being xmas and all

 

[GladstoneTim]

Yep as said any travel agent should be able to do this date swap and it will be fee/charge free aslong as same fare class (which if they do within a few days of release it will be (been offered a few times) just be aware, when they release the fares they are normally full retail, then offer discount seats and sales a little later on (this has been my experiance anyway ie prices to LHR 2.4 down to 1.7k), so depending on how much credit you have might be worth booking seperate for. But being it is end of dec they might not have any sales for that period being xmas and all

Thanks, mooingchicken.