CBR-SIN pricing: bait & switch?

[Mattg]

Qantas is currently advertising flights from Canberra to Singapore for $499 return on its website. But when you actually try to search for flights, the cheapest available flights are $541.

I've contacted social media on Qantas about this asking them what dates the $499 can be booked for. They just sent a generic response that all of these fares have been sold out. But I think they are missing the point - this route was never available at the advertised price in the first place.

This is what QF is advertising:





But when you search for flights within the advertised date ranges, the cheapest is $541...



$541 is still a good price, but if they're going to advertise a $499 fare, shouldn't there actually be flights available at that price?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Yes - you can't advertise flights that aren't available, or more importantly, that were never available. If they have sold out, perhaps a bit of leeway for the company/airline, but they should probably update when practical.

 

[Mattg]

Yes - you can't advertise flights that aren't available, or more importantly, that were never available. If they have sold out, perhaps a bit of leeway for the company/airline, but they should probably update when practical.

This price has only been advertised since this morning, and each time I have checked since then there have been no fares at that price at all, on any date.

Also, a quick check of Expert Flyer shows that the lowest fare buckets are all available on the CBR-SIN route on the dates showing $541. So, I am convinced that the $499 fares never existed.

 

[toasty]

I can get the QF site to quote $477 for the exact dates you have in the screenshot. $253 out, $224 in. Other dates like 9-16/3 work just fine too.

 

[Mattg]

I can get the QF site to quote $477 for the exact dates you have in the screenshot. $253 out, $224 in. Other dates like 9-16/3 work just fine too.

I'm seeing that price now too! Thanks

 

[Steady]

I can get the QF site to quote $477 for the exact dates you have in the screenshot. $253 out, $224 in. Other dates like 9-16/3 work just fine too.

Seems odd, can you post a screenshot?

 

[toasty]

Seems odd, can you post a screenshot?

Here you go:

 

[Steady]

Thanks toasty, I hadn't seen Mattg's post when I wrote mine......

I wonder what changed to make the fares available?