Qantas international combo fares and new fees, and the return of the e-word

[PineappleSkip]

Interesting article in ABT here about changes to QF's International Fare structure

Qantas rejigs international fares: how the changes will affect you - Flights | hotels | frequent flyer | business class - Australian Business Traveller

I wasn't able to read the images of the tables in the article, but found the release here with links to the fare tables. With Y+ put in its place as a 'non-premium' cabin.

Latest Fare News

A lot of 'simplifications', 'streamlinings' and some exciting new fees. I almost choked on my coffee when I read the opening line of the release

Qantas is pleased to introduce new International tariff structures and fare conditions, which will provide Travel Agents with enhanced simplicity and flexibility in booking travel with Qantas.

The enhanced fees for no shows (and I think cancellations in discounted J and F) didn't worry me as others charge much the same.

Combo fares sounded pretty good, but why the odd restrictions on the combo fares? Makes no sense to me given what you can do so on the competition. I had priced a return fare from BNE to HKG just a couple nights ago for Mrs Pineapple and the winner from my perspective was the combo of Y+ out and J back on VA/VS via SYD. And as ABT points out, unless you fly on an aircraft with Y+ sold, you can't do a combo including Y at all.

What do you think of these changes?

Cheers skip

 

[pshepvic]

Combo fares are a good thing, however how will they manage the demand when everyone wants an economy seat to Asia, but Premium Economy back? Based on the day vs night flight scenario which is likely to be how people would book the fares, they're going to have empty Premium Economy cabins ex-Aus, and half empty Economy cabins coming back!

 

[PineappleSkip]

That was exactly what I was thinking - although as VA and others already offer Y/Y+, Y/J and other combos presumably this is not a new issue.

Cheers skip

 

[docjames]

Combo fares are a good thing, however how will they manage the demand when everyone wants an economy seat to Asia, but Premium Economy back? Based on the day vs night flight scenario which is likely to be how people would book the fares, they're going to have empty Premium Economy cabins ex-Aus, and half empty Economy cabins coming back!

They'd manage it by price I'd have thought.