Vaustralia launches "Vpromo" O/W fares

[Saab34]

Just saw this, only for VPromo fares. I wish they would just slash their 2010 fares, but mabye next time

NEW ONE-WAY FARES BETWEEN AUSTRALIA AND LOS ANGELES FROM JUST $579* - COMING HOME IS OPTIONAL!

Monday 20 July 2009: V Australia continues to shake up the market with the introduction of super cheap one-way tickets between Australia and Los Angeles offering more flexibility for travellers, which are on sale from today Monday 20 July.
While one-way fares are not new to the arena, V Australia is the first airline to offer one-way fares across ALL of its fare brackets to the US, including its lowest lead-in fares, offering one-way International Economy tickets from just $579*, approximately 70% lower than the lowest one-way fare currently offered by competitor airlines^.
Virgin Blue Group Chief Executive, Brett Godfrey, said the initiative was another example of V Australia remaining open and adaptable to new ideas and championing change for consumers.
“Nine years ago when Virgin Blue entered the market we virtually invented the concept of affordable, unrestricted one-way domestic fares by removing the archaic ‘advanced purchase conditions’ and minimum stay requirements then associated with expensive one-way fares.
“The biggest joke in the industry was that for the cheapest and least-restrictive one-way fare, travellers had to purchase a return fare and throw away the return portion. This was obviously good for the airlines, but not so for travellers and Virgin Blue changed all that and now we’re doing the same for trans-Pacific travel on V Australia.”
Currently trans-Pacific one-way fares on other carriers are only available in the higher fare brackets.
Brett Godfrey continued, “Effectively travellers get stung twice for even considering a one-way fare which is usually exquisitely expensive coupled with extensive conditions.
“With V Australia’s new ‘freedom fare’ we’ve certainly made it easier and much more affordable for those who want flexibility for their return flight, or only need to travel in one direction.”
Availability of affordable one-way fares is great news for students, backpackers, expats and those on working holidays who may not necessarily have a firm return date.
If travellers are in doubt about their travel plans, buying a one-way fare will also negate any penalty fees that usually apply to the lower fare brackets if changes are made to a return flight after the booking is confirmed.
One-way fares from Australia to LAX are only available for purchase online at www.vaustralia.com.au and do not include through fares via Los Angeles to other US destinations as operated by V Australia’s code-share partners.
One-way fares from Los Angeles to Australia are only available for purchase online at www.vaustralia.com and travellers headed down-under are also able to purchase one-way ‘through fares’ from LA to Sydney or Brisbane and onwards throughout Australia on Virgin Blue’s extensive flight network.

^ Fares sourced on 19 July 2009 from www.qantas.com.au and http://travel.united.com.​

For a one-way SYD-LA flight with Qantas for travel on 20 August 2009 the lowest one-way fare on sale was for $1928.​

For a one-way SYD-LA flight with United for travel on 20 August 2009 the lowest one-way fare on sale was for $1928.​

* There are no maximum or minimum stay requirements as part of the fare however length of stay in LA is subject to applicable visa requirements. DepartingSydney, Brisbane and Melbourne to Los Angeles. Connecting flight between Melbourne and Sydney for travel before 15 September 2009. All fares are subject to availability and may vary until ticketed, are for economy one way travel. Conditions and travel restrictions apply. For travel between 20 Jul 2009 – 30 Nov 2009. Seats are limited and may not be available on all flights or peak days. An additional charge of $15 AUD per Guest per booking is applicable to all fares paid by credit/debit card. Tickets purchased through the Guest Contact Centre cost $50 AUD more. Connecting flights between Australian domestic ports are operated by Virgin Blue Airlines. Non stop flights from Melbourne due to commence 15 September 2009 and are subject to regulatory approval. Fares are correct as at 17 Jul 2009 and are subject to change and are non refundable. On sale until 4 Aug 2009, or until sold out. For one-way fares ex-Australia log on to www.vaustralia.com.au and for one-way fares ex-America log onto www.vaustralia.com.​

 

[Nigelinoz]

COMING HOME IS OPTIONAL!

Perhaps they should add one extra line-"If you hold a valid visa':!:

 

[Standby]

Perhaps they should add one extra line-"If you hold a valid visa':!:

Don't US and AU Immigration usually want to see proof of outbound travel???along with proof U have money to stay...I admit I havent been to the States for a few years now with most business in the UK so things may have changed

 

[dajop]

Don't US and AU Immigration usually want to see proof of outbound travel???

Never been questioned by US immigration for proof of outbound travel, but if not on a return/rtw ticket, the airlines would look for it when checking someone in for travel to the US.

 

[codash1099]

I marvel at the way that BG can make such a virtue out a move designed primarily to alleviate a cash shortage.

Or am I (as usual) far too cynical :?:

 

[oz_mark]

I marvel at the way that BG can make such a virtue out a move designed primarily to alleviate a cash shortage.

Or am I (as usual) far too cynical :?:

Many companies are equally adept at selling the virtues of "enhancements".

I wish there were more cheapish one way international fares on non-LCC's

 

[Travel Guru]

Never been questioned by US immigration for proof of outbound travel, but if not on a return/rtw ticket, the airlines would look for it when checking someone in for travel to the US.

Most if not all airlines will want to see either a return/onward ticket or an appropriate visa, otherwise they'll deny boarding as its not worth them risking getting them over there only to have to spend money taking them back again if denied entry.

TG

 

[odysseus]

I wish there were more cheapish one way international fares on non-LCC's

V Australia is a non-LCC.

 

[oz_mark]

V Australia is a non-LCC.

Yes, while it is common to LCC's, V Australia is one of the few non LCC's, and I was saying I wish more non LCC's offered lower oe way prices.

 

[odysseus]

Sorry, took it the other way.

 

[Flying Fox]

Don't US and AU Immigration usually want to see proof of outbound travel???along with proof U have money to stay...I admit I havent been to the States for a few years now with most business in the UK so things may have changed

Yes I have been asked when I booked in-bound and out-bound as two one way fares.

 

[moa999]

SQ has generally offered decent priced one-ways on its website.
Used one to KHI for my last DONE4

 

[777]

This will come in handy when using reward flights too.

For those of you with DJ points you can now book one way as a reward flight and pay for the other leg cash. I was looking at doing this earlier in the year when i had not quite enough points for a return but return a one way leg was far too expensive to consider.

I know you can use points+ pay but it doesn't always help for those who only or barely enough for one way. I actually think VA/DJ should send a targeted promo to any velocity members with 50k+ points letting them know that they can do this. I think they'd get some takers.

 

[Flashback]

This will come in handy when using reward flights too.

For those of you with DJ points you can now book one way as a reward flight and pay for the other leg cash. I was looking at doing this earlier in the year when i had not quite enough points for a return but return a one way leg was far too expensive to consider.

I know you can use points+ pay but it doesn't always help for those who only or barely enough for one way. I actually think VA/DJ should send a targeted promo to any velocity members with 50k+ points letting them know that they can do this. I think they'd get some takers.

Good thinking 777:!:

 

[777]

Good thinking 777:!:

LOL. When i get my targeted email offering the promo and the load factors shoot up they can thank me in flights. A couple return to LA ought to do it

 

[ANstar]

Perhaps they should add one extra line-"If you hold a valid visa':!:

Why? Other airlines sell one way tickets.... they are just lowering them the same way that JQ did when they started flying to HNL.

If travelling on a non US passport then you will be asked for oyur outewqard travel.... no different to a UK passport holder flying Pacific Blue ona cheap o/w to NZ...

 

[fortymilliondaggers]

Is the one way half the return price? If not, nothing all that interesting really.

It goes without saying that passengers should pay the cost of their passage on a particular flight plus some profit for the airlines (depending on factors determined by the actuaries).

I think the practice of charging almost as much or more for a one way ticket than a return ticket is anti competitive because it prevents shopping around and getting the best deal.

It means airlines can charge much more out of Britain than out of Australia because 'the market is different' despite the product being exactly the same.

It limits the scope for complex itineraries to those which are booked on one particular airline alliance.

I'm glad that things no longer work this way in Austrliaa and that low cost carriers are beginning to change this on international routes too.

I look forward to it spreading across the industry.

 

[docjames]

It's never going to be equal in both directions all the time.

Consider every time there's a major event on

eg. F1 Grand Prix, Melbourne Cup etc.

Should the airlines sell seats into MEL over the week or so before, at the same price as outbound? Would seem a very poor business practice to me given demand >>> supply. Converse for outbound, will need to discount to use up all the otherwise empty outbound seats you've just flown in. Reverse then happens immediately post event.

Then there's school holidays etc. We wont even get started on this.

This announcement is a bit of a nothing, it's just suggesting it is competitive to buy combos of one ways. I suspect in part because at the moment, peopl might be willing to book on way with VA, but dont want to risk (or cant get the flight times) to go both ways with them (preferring QF/NZ/DL/UA). So this will at least get some "bums on seats".

It also will allow for much more flexible trip plans eg. fly IN to LAX, but out of HNL, or link up to AKL etc. Airlines are realising they can offer customers flexibility in trip plans, rather than being forced in and out of the same city. US tourists might fly directly into BNE or even up to CNS, work their way down to MEL and prefer to fly MEL-LAX than BNE-Lax. One way ticketing makes this easier for the average person using the web to book (rahter than a travel agent).

Phew. Sorry for the rant.

 

[fortymilliondaggers]

Equal as in one way + one way = return. Always.

 

[fortymilliondaggers]

And I'm totally with you on that last point. I'm all for cutting out the middle man (the travel agent) where possible by reducing complexity.