AA pricing - feeling ripped off

[QPProletarian]

If you are a oneworld Emerald though, you end up on the AA Explat desk, who i've only ever had amazing experiences with!

How do they know this when you don't have an AA membership number to input?

 

[serfty]

How do they know this when you don't have an AA membership number to input?

When you call regarding a booking, you are asked via VOX recognition your booking details (date, surname, port of origin ...),

If your WP QFF number is properly registered in the booking you are directed to the EXP desk automatically as an Emerald.

 

[JohnK]

Serfty, while I respect your comments, I have to disagree.

I am sure you agree it is wrong, we should pay like for like, with the exception of currency and taxes.

I agree with you but nothing we can do about it.

I remember a few years ago booking a SIN-SYD/MEL return on Qantas Singapore website and the SYD/MEL-SIN flight on 747/A380 on Boxing Day was ~AUD400 where as the same flight booked from Qantas Australian website was ~AUD600+.

It's weird that people sitting next to each other buying cheap red e-deals at the same time paying considerably more or less depending on how you look at it.

 

[clazman]

I guess you would be happy to pay $100k for a Toyota corolla compared to $20k in aus.....considering that's the price in some countries

Where do Corolla's cost 100K?

 

[markis10]

Where do Corolla's cost 100K?

Singapore, its $135K actually

 

[clazman]

135K AU?

Surely the difference is tax and import duty, not profiteering.

 

[GoldCanyon340]

Australia, in general, is a VERY expensive place in which to live. We are paying high prices for cars, beer, wine, clothes, groceries and many other things. I wish I could buy an espresso or cafe latte with a different POS. And let's not even start with the ridiculous price of real estate.

If there's a workaround for something I'd say just roll with it and enjoy it. Look on it as an early Xmas present

 

[auriga]

135K AU?

Surely the difference is tax and import duty, not profiteering.

You are right. It is the govt's policy to limit car numbers.

 

[Nizar]

This practice of price gorging or profiteering goes far beyond airfares. Unfortunately we tend to cop it here in Aus either because of our relative isolation, sparse population or higher wages, or probably due to a combination of these and other factors.

I remember reading on Forbes.com some years ago that the winner of the car of the year competition in the "Under 50k" category was a BMW M3. Apparently they retail at US$48k over there.
They retail for around A$140k here.

There was a newspaper investigative report on the car pricing I think in the Age some years ago and they interviewed the Aust heads of various car companies as to why they do this and their reply was simple. Because we can Our research shows that Australians are able to pay more for their cars so we charge accordingly.

 

[GeraldG]

Australia, in generalSingapore RY expensive place in which to live. We are paying high prices for cars, beer, wine, clothes, groceries and many other things. I wish I could buy an espresso or cafe latte with a different POS. And let's not even start with the ridiculous price of real estate.

If there's a workaround for something I'd say just roll with it and enjoy it. Look on it as an early Xmas present

If you think australia is X wait till you live in singapore. It cost 450k to get a gov built 3 bedroom apt and 130k for car

 

[auriga]

If you think australia is X wait till you live in singapore. It cost 450k to get a gov built 3 bedroom apt and 130k for car

Cars and upmarket housing are pretty much the only things more expensive in Singapore compared to Sydney. Regular homes are cheaper, and income taxes are much much lower.

 

[amaroo]

Cars and upmarket housing are pretty much the only things more expensive in Singapore compared to Sydney. Regular homes are cheaper, and income taxes are much much lower.

IIRC the income tax rate caps out at 20%

 

[Isochronous]

IIRC the income tax rate caps out at 20%

Yes. I can't fathom working in Aus and having the government confiscate more than half my income.

 

[travelislife]

Yes. I can't fathom working in Aus and having the government confiscate more than half my income.

You're doing something wrong if you are letting the government take more than half your earned dollars! The top tax rate is 45% and that is only for dollars over 180k. That first 180k is effectively taxed at around 33%.

 

[Isochronous]

You're doing something wrong if you are letting the government take more than half your earned dollars! The top tax rate is 45% and that is only for dollars over 180k. That first 180k is effectively taxed at around 33%.

It's gone up due to the deficit levy, plus you need to add the Medicare Levy. Then remember you pay GST on almost all consumption. Then there is CGT which is de facto double taxation of savings. The system is setup to discourage those who want to get ahead and enslave everyone to the bureaucratic welfare state

 

[trippin_the_rift]

You're doing something wrong if you are letting the government take more than half your earned dollars! The top tax rate is 45% and that is only for dollars over 180k. That first 180k is effectively taxed at around 33%.

Take inventory of the total % of tax you pay over a year (gst,cgt,stamp duty, lgt, levies, etc etc) and you'll find it comes close to 50% even on a low income
. Much higher if you've recently bought a large asset.

Even if all of your cash was going through a myriad of trusts you'd still be paying double that of most Asian countries.

 

[TomVexille]

Take inventory of the total % of tax you pay over a year (gst,cgt,stamp duty, lgt, levies, etc etc) and you'll find it comes close to 50% even on a low income
. Much higher if you've recently bought a large asset.

Even if all of your cash was going through a myriad of trusts you'd still be paying double that of most Asian countries.

At most I would have paid 25% last year...

 

[trippin_the_rift]

At most I would have paid 25% last year...

... Still more than double!

 

[TomVexille]

... Still more than double!

Not debating that

 

[farstar]

I think you are missing the point, its common practice, LAN is another good example, and lets not forget our Brazillian spree. Different locations have different rules and differing seat availability, use it to your advantage.

I agree you need to play the system but it does not mean I won't call shenanigans if the same service is charged at different prices (after allowing for exchange rates) in different counties. If your costs are the same charging different amounts in different countries is profiteering.