A Beijing anomaly

[dragonman]

Looking to break a DONE4 I checked Beijing-Sydney return in Y.

SYD-PEK-SYD costs $1652
PEK-SYD-PEK costs $1117

Same dates just going in different directions. I suppose there is some logic to this somewhere ...

 

[oz_mark]

Looking to break a DONE4 I checked Beijing-Sydney return in Y.

SYD-PEK-SYD costs $1652
PEK-SYD-PEK costs $1117

Same dates just going in different directions. I suppose there is some logic to this somewhere ...

Completely normal, and in accordance with what happens on many routes. For example SIN-PER-SIN is usually much cheaper than PER-SIN-PER.

 

[dragonman]

Completely normal, and in accordance with what happens on many routes. For example SIN-PER-SIN is usually much cheaper than PER-SIN-PER.

Normal - yes. Logical - no. Just wondering if anyone on this board has experience in buying QF tickets out of Beijing. My understanding is that you can pay by Aussie cc but must pick up the ticket from the Beijing office. Just seeking confirmation. QF call centre were not a lot of help.

 

[serfty]

When trying to book online ex PEK, you get the following screen before any flights are shown for you to select:

Important Information

After you have completed your booking you will need to visit one of our offices below for credit card and signature verification. Your ticket will be issued once your credit card has been sighted.

Beijing Qantas Office
Unit 7-8, 10/F West Tower, Twin Towers, B-12 Jianguomenwai Dajie, Chaoyang District
Open hours: 9am-5pm Mon to Fri
Phone: +86 10 6567 9006

Shanghai Qantas Office
Room 3202, 32F, K Wah Centre, 1010 Huai Hai Middle Road
Open hours: 9am-5pm Mon to Fri
Phone: +86 21 6145 0188

 

[serfty]

As far as logical goes; I believe it is. Airlines a re profit making entities and will endeavor to charge as much for fares as the market will bare. The market being based the country of origin, or even port in some cases.

In this case, SYD residents can, and generally will, pay more to go to PEK, than PEK residents can and will for SYD.

It's the same with xONEx's, with the base prices varying markedly between originating countries.

 

[dragonman]

When trying to book online ex PEK, you get the following screen before any flights are shown for you to select:

Thx I knew that. Just wondered if anyone had been through the process.

cheers

 

[NM]

Also check if there are any additional charges on the fare originating outside Australia. For the fare that is ex-Australia, they are required by law to include all extra charges such as taxes and fuel levies etc. For fares quoted ex-China, there may be no such requirement to include the extra charges in the quoted fare.

 

[HardieBoys]

Increased fares from it's home market are not unique to QF. Friends in HK always joke about CX being one of the most expensive carriers out of HK. The reasoning may be that if an airline can't charge a premium in it's home market, where could it do so?

 

[Evan]

Increased fares from it's home market are not unique to QF. Friends in HK always joke about CX being one of the most expensive carriers out of HK. The reasoning may be that if an airline can't charge a premium in it's home market, where could it do so?

But CX recently has been a premium everywhere from what i see ! there loads are also so high so i guess they can charge.

Anyway back O/T, this is why i book my fares ex SIN, always 15% or more cheaper to fly SIN-MEL-SIN rather than MEL-SIN-MEL, often the difference is even more than 15% but i have really yet to see any less than that as a difference.

E

 

[dajop]

It doesn't only apply to airfares: taxes and fuel fines are charged differently in different markets, as can be seen very easily through award bookings. :evil:

MEL-LHR-MEL on QF29/30 is currently $616.61 AUD in taxes/fuel fines.
LHR-MEL-LHR on QF30/29 is currently ₤218.80 or $470 AUD in taxes/fuel fines.

 

[dragonman]

Also check if there are any additional charges on the fare originating outside Australia. For the fare that is ex-Australia, they are required by law to include all extra charges such as taxes and fuel levies etc. For fares quoted ex-China, there may be no such requirement to include the extra charges in the quoted fare.

Yeah both the fares quoted are inclusive of taxes. Talked to someone on the premium desk today. She was able to quote the fare PEK-SYD-PEK at $1270 but then there is a $50 fee cos she books it.

I figure I will have a go and book it online, pay by cc, and see. If it all goes through and cc is charged then I will pick up ticket 3 days before the flight from the Beijing office. If cc is not charged then I will know it did not work.

 

[gibspmuh]

I figure I will have a go and book it online, pay by cc, and see. If it all goes through and cc is charged then I will pick up ticket 3 days before the flight from the Beijing office. If cc is not charged then I will know it did not work.

I buy tickets CGK-SYD from time to time, and the same warnings apply in regards to purchase of the ticket. In my experience the ticket won't be issued until you go to the ticket office for them to physically process the credit card. I'd imagine it's similar in PEK too.

 

[NM]

Anyway back O/T, this is why i book my fares ex SIN, always 15% or more cheaper to fly SIN-MEL-SIN rather than MEL-SIN-MEL, often the difference is even more than 15% but i have really yet to see any less than that as a difference.

E

Yep, just need to have a flight already booked to depart SIN or it could cause problems boarding the MEL-SIN flight.

I just flew SIN-BNE-SIN and at checkin for the BNE-SIN I was asked if I held residency status for SIN or if I had a flight departing SIN. As I am part way through a DAS13 I was able to show the e-tix receipt and the check-in agent was happy.

 

[Evan]

Yep, just need to have a flight already booked to depart SIN or it could cause problems boarding the MEL-SIN flight.

I just flew SIN-BNE-SIN and at checkin for the BNE-SIN I was asked if I held residency status for SIN or if I had a flight departing SIN. As I am part way through a DAS13 I was able to show the e-tix receipt and the check-in agent was happy.

You do hear of people being asked time to time but never happened to me, most of the time i usually have something planned and if not booked, i could just book it on-line i guess. Maybe i have so many SIN stamps in my passport they would never ask.

Usually check in agents only ever check visa countries, and since SIN is 90 days without visa they would not often bother asking.

E