Expedia vs Qantas - $1000 price difference

[papermate92]

I hope someone can help me with this, as I cannot seem to wrap my head around the why.
I am looking to book MEL > CDG in J for April 2022. Expedia has the flights for ~$7000 (EK Metal, QF Flight Numbers) and the official Qantas website is ~$8000.

Are they any risks associated with booking via Expedia for what looks like identical flights? Any advice?

 

[ChrisMars]

Might be worth looking at change and cancellation policie from expedia.
If there are trully the same flight, you might be able to use the qantas price promose if you really want to book on Qantas. I never used it, and I vaguely recall Qantas removed it for a while, but looks like its back. Check the t&cs though.
I only booked once on expedia, as it was able to combine a QF with BA flight to lhr, for a better price than qf the whole way.

 

[henrus]

I've had this happen once before. About four years ago now, I was looking at a BNE-SYD (overnight) SYD-PEK, PEK-SYD-CHC all QF operated. Webjet priced at $800 in Economy which at the time was a steal because just BNE-CHC was $500 during the school holidays. Qantas directly wanted about $4000 for the same flights which couldn't be done on their website only via phone.

Now I'd normally never book via a travel agent or online site but in this case it was just too good to pass up. In the end it worked out well but I wouldn't have liked to try and make changes or cancel though them if needed. As ChrisMars says I'd check the Expedia T&C's and I'd be even more hesitant given the number of COVID cancelations and changes that occur.

 

[vetrade]

I had an experience with Expedia a few years back and I still haven't fully got rid of the bad taste it left in my mouth.
Booked a one way Y ticket for my son JNB - AUH - MEL on Etihad metal. Can't remember the exact price but from memory it was around $600 better than the next best on offer. Subsequently the ticket was mysteriously cancelled on three separate occasions. Dealing with Expedia was painful - first they tried to tell me the JNB - AUH flight had been cancelled (it hadn't). Each time I got it re-instated it just disappeared again and they couldn't/wouldn't explain why. The last time they wouldn't even reply to me and then an email just arrived without any explanation saying only that they were going to refund the money.

As the departure date was rapidly approaching I eventually had to book direct with Etihad for significantly more $$$.

After 2 months trying unsuccessfully to get the refund from Expedia (who were still stone-walling my communications) I did a CC charge back and got my money that way.

I know one swallow doesn't make a summer, but I won't ever try booking anything through Expedia again.

 

[bam71]

Any chance you can check the actual fare basis code between the two. have you made sure you’re on the Expedia AU site?

 

[jpp42]

Any chance you can check the actual fare basis code between the two

Expedia won't be divulging that, it's commercial in confidence, especially if it's a consolidator ticket (not sure if that applies to longhaul Qantas tickets, but it can for various other circumstances).

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Expedia won't be divulging that, it's commercial in confidence, especially if it's a consolidator ticket (not sure if that applies to longhaul Qantas tickets, but it can for various other circumstances).

The actual fare paid by Expedia may be commercial in confidence as any final price will include a mark-up/commission paid to Expedia, but the fare basis shouldn't be anything confidential.

 

[papermate92]

UPDATE:

I called Qantas and the price the agent had on the phone was identical to the Expedia fare (much to the agent's surprise). We even went through Qantas.com together and the agent couldn't believe the price difference.

Long story short, I booked at the cheaper price over the phone and they waived the call centre fee.

 

[Mattg]

UPDATE:

I called Qantas and the price the agent had on the phone was identical to the Expedia fare (much to the agent's surprise). We even went through Qantas.com together and the agent couldn't believe the price difference.

Long story short, I booked at the cheaper price over the phone and they waived the call centre fee.

Excellent outcome!

 

[UP4014]

Good result.

With travel unknowns for now and into 2022 I would have booked QF direct even if more expensive. QF have honoured their refund policy on around 10 flights for me in the previous 12 months without question.

Expedia have been in the news in various places for slow and no refunds during COVID. For anyone looking or trying to contact them.

Expedia Customer Service Contacts

Contact Expedia customer service for your customer service needs. Reach out via phone, email, or social media.

www.elliott.org

 

[VPS]

UPDATE:

I called Qantas and the price the agent had on the phone was identical to the Expedia fare (much to the agent's surprise). We even went through Qantas.com together and the agent couldn't believe the price difference.

Long story short, I booked at the cheaper price over the phone and they waived the call centre fee.

and so they should waive the call centre fee - it wasn't as though you could have booked it on line but great result