Do travel expos really offer great deals?

[WeeWillyWonka]

Not sure if this is the right section for this thread but I want to buy 2 x business class tickets from MEL to LHR in July '17.

Should I wait to see what deals are at the travel expo held next month? Does anyone have any inside info about the prices offered at these events?

 

[Pushka]

I always see huge banks of computers with people queuing up to buy. I always wonder if the deal is there or not but have never ventured as I don't like making instant decisions without seeing for myself all the options. I guess DYOR first and if what is offered is better than what you have found (taking into account cancellation and change fees and final payment dates) then go for it.

 

[liamsal]

A friend last year purchased BNE - YVR return for $1200~ at the travel expo. It was an Air Canada sale as they were launching the direct BNE to YVR flights so I'm guessing it was a one off.

 

[Cool Cat Phil]

The Travel Expo's organised by Flight Centre limited are certainly interesting affairs. Free entry & a plethora of brochures and the occasional free marketing goodie bag with a few free pens and hat worth picking up.
Those attending can often obtain 10% off, sometimes 20% off overland tours, by companies such as G-adventures or Intrepid, which may represent good value. However not all itineraries and tour dates will be on Sale.
In terms of flights, it's always great chatting with the Reps from the respective airlines and gaining some little tid bits of information that may not be commonly known.
In terms of the Flight specials, some destinations can be resonable value, although once again, the flight specials often provide very limited options with date, time & destination.

Payment is always made through a flight centre representative, so that means Credit Card surcharges and having to go through a third party which equates to less flexibility and more expense if ones plans change.

 

[yesbuds]

In my experience yes. Im a TA and the deals avajlable over the expo periods are definately better. how much better really varies but atleast 100$ pp off Y to europe with participating carriers. Premium cabins are generally more.

Whether or not to wait is a harder question, availability is an unpredictable thing so theres a chance that your specific dates (if you are locked in) may not have availability.

Id look at the fares now, if you are happy with the fare pay it. Get Price drop protection on the chance your airfares drop over the expo. You win both ways.

 

[Limewood]

The one in Cairns was just a sales day for Flight Centre I found nothing to excite me when I went, but I think they did well out of it as there were a lots of bods attending.

 

[get me outta here]

If you know what you want and you were going anyway and know all the prices and not travelling on points, there seems to be a few little deals.

I know the odd person who just goes for the the little chocolate freebies.

 

[Cool Cat Phil]

If you know what you want and you were going anyway and know all the prices and not travelling on points, there seems to be a few little deals.

I know the odd person who just goes for the the little chocolate freebies.

Precisely!
By all means Go alone to have a look, but unless the dates, price and destination match up, the deals presented may not work for everyone.

 

[Dalescott]

I have been to the one in Melbourne a few times. We got J fares on CE and RB for less than $4000 at the time. This was some time ago though, and we haven't been back for some years.
I might go again this year and have a sticky beak.

 

[trooper]

Chalair Aviation (CE) and Syrian Arab Airlines (RB) ?????:mrgreen::mrgreen::mrgreen:

Interesting combination!!!

(Sorry... I expect you meant China Eastern and Royal Brunei.....)

 

[Dalescott]

Yes, I did.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Not sure if this is the right section for this thread but I want to buy 2 x business class tickets from MEL to LHR in July '17.

Should I wait to see what deals are at the travel expo held next month? Does anyone have any inside info about the prices offered at these events?

I have been plenty of times... there can be some deals... but most of them are 'buy now' kind of things. Generally you can't go away, have a think, and then purchase a week later.

That being said however there hasn't been anything really outstanding from memory. At least nothing that you couldn't put together yourself outside the show for less money, better value, or on a preferred airline.

Yes Royal Brunei, some of the Chinese carriers might have specials, but generally speaking they will offer those outside the travel show for not much more (and you have the luxury of having the time to consider your options).

But you're not going to find Qantas for $5000 less than their advertised fare on their website.

Still - worth going and having a look. It takes an hour. Collect brochures. Have a coffee.

 

[WeeWillyWonka]

In my experience yes. Im a TA and the deals avajlable over the expo periods are definately better. how much better really varies but atleast 100$ pp off Y to europe with participating carriers. Premium cabins are generally more.

Whether or not to wait is a harder question, availability is an unpredictable thing so theres a chance that your specific dates (if you are locked in) may not have availability.

Id look at the fares now, if you are happy with the fare pay it. Get Price drop protection on the chance your airfares drop over the expo. You win both ways.

Price drop protection...didn't realise such an insurance existed. Does it have to be purchased through the agent at the time of booking?

 

[Andyzx]

We went 3 years ago to the Sydney version.
Y and even Y+ fares there were some good options for savings and one helpful person with checking/booking seats.
J fares other than China Eastern (i think) new route, there was nothing that was discounted and was told by a couple of people to ring their office as they didn't do it.
F fares they did want to take the sack of cash I had so didn't book just kidding.

Well worth a visit for the land/water based bookings.

 

[clazman]

I found they are setup for taking orders than showcasing products and services when I attended a Perth version

 

[kcoulson]

We recently booked an insight tour (we were going to do it anyway) at a Flight Centre Expo. Managed to get a free Samsonite luggage for our efforts, plus 5% extra off (just for that day). We ended up giving the travel agent a box of chocolates to take the pain out of processing the 75 separate Flight Centre Gift Cards (from Woolworths bought with the 5% entertainment book discount bought with our Edge card for 3 pts per $1). Pretty confident that we got a very good deal (after all the other discounts we qualified for too)

 

[yesbuds]

Yes it does

 

[Dannyism]

The Melbourne travel expo is on this weekend. I'm going to head down, but not to buy anything, just to get some inspiration and have a chat.

 

[Dannyism]

The Melbourne travel expo is on this weekend. I'm going to head down, but not to buy anything, just to get some inspiration and have a chat.

Just remembered this thread...

Was pretty entertaining, most of the airlines had booths so I could chat about their fleet, frequent flyers, and their offerings with the sales reps. QR had a fully functional business class seat that people were trying out.

I personally wouldn't buy anything and never intended to because it was all 'special deal buy through flight centre on the day only' kind of stuff. If you had something in mind though it may well be a good opportunity.

 

[earlyriser]

I always thought that they didn't really offer good deals. I have only attended two and didn't really get much out of either. However, my parents went this year and received a quote for a Delta booking in November for SYD to NYC with stops in Phoenix and Houston on the way there and stops in Pittsburgh and Vegas on the way home for $1200 AUD. That is a pretty sweet deal IMO.