Finnair withdraws RTW fares

[HardieBoys]

Spoke to Finnair in Sydney this afternoon. I was informed that the Business Europe fare, that allowed travel to Europe via North America, returning via Asia, has been withdrawn. This kind of ticket won't be issued for travel after 1 March 2008. The ticket used to be $6999 plus taxes.

The Finnair consultant did not know whether this deal would be renewed. She expressed surprise that it had been withdrawn, and commented it represented about 50% of their business. She stated they'd been informed of this yesterday.

Watch this space, I guess...

 

[QF WP]

Hmm, nothing on the Finnair website (news area) yet, but there is this interesting story about codesharing flights to Australia with CX

 

[serfty]

Cool, may now be able to earn 100% FF point in CX WHY by using the AY code shares ...

 

[HardieBoys]

The travel consultant did tell me about a new Finnair Business fare to Europe, via Asia in both directions, for $6850 plus taxes. This may well suit my trip in September, but won't help me getting to Washington DC.

 

[Bundy Bear]

I checked with my TA today; and she hasn't seen any mention of AY/QF pulling their combined fare.

But then again I found out about QF pulling Lifetime QF club membership before she did.

 

[Travel Guru]

here's an email from finnair I tracked down:

FINNAIR ADVANCE NOTICE OF ROUTING CHANGES TO OUR FARE STRUCTURE!


ADVANCE NOTICE OF ROUTING CHANGES TO OUR FARE STRUCTURE!

Please inform all staff immediately Finnair will be terminating all published and net fares/routings via the USA & Africa. Revised tariffs will be forwarded in the near future.
Net deals will be open until the 16th March 2008. Hence, please ensure all ticketing is completed prior to 16 MARCH 2008 irrespective of the time limits.
For example . If the booking is made 1 day before the 16 March 08, it has be an instant purchase and no extension is provided.
If you have any further enquiries, please contact me on the below number or via email.
Best Regards,
xx_xx_

 

[HardieBoys]

Thanks for posting that. Does this mean that ticketing must be completed prior to 16 March, or that travel must be completed prior to 16 March? The travel consultant I spoke to informed me that all travel must be completed...

 

[HardieBoys]

Just called Finnair directly ((02) 9244 2299) to clarify this. The consultant I spoke to informed me that ticketing had to be completed by 16 March 2008. Travel can be later. They won't sell open-ended tickets, and tickets are valid for 1 year.

I'll try (once again) to book and pay for a ticket on Monday and post the results...

 

[MelUser]

My TA in Sydney has just booked 2 seats on the RTW fare for travel in Aug/Sept and it definitely has to be paid for and ticketed by COB this Friday (16th is Sunday).

She spoke to Finnair and this fare is being removed for good. Apparently Finnair is losing money on this fare. People are booking "Routing B" which only requires one long distance Finnair leg and then flying the rest on QF or BA.

Apparently the fare will still be available for travel via Asia in both directions but the fare may rise/conditions change.

Finnair should release more information to the market next week.

 

[HardieBoys]

Managed to get in before the closure of the fares. Flying SYD - LAX - DCI - LHR - HEL - HKG - SYD for $7672 including all charges and taxes. All in J, except LAX - DCI and LHR - HEL. The initial quote was for around $8600. I called Finnair to query the price, as it was significantly higher than the internet fare. The sales staff were very responsive, and after about 5 minutes, came back with the final price. I'm pleased...

 

[Bundy Bear]

Can I go and cry now; this really sucks; back to the drawing board.

I will be banished back to economy. does QF think I am made of money.

 

[MelUser]

Managed to get in before the closure of the fares. Flying SYD - LAX - DCI - LHR - HEL - HKG - SYD for $7672 including all charges and taxes. All in J, except LAX - DCI and LHR - HEL. The initial quote was for around $8600. I called Finnair to query the price, as it was significantly higher than the internet fare. The sales staff were very responsive, and after about 5 minutes, came back with the final price. I'm pleased...

Did you book the fare over the internet - I didn't think this was possible?

 

[HardieBoys]

I had to call up Finnair to get a quote and to pay for it, you either have to go in, or fax in your credit card details (including a photocopy of front and back of your card). It's not possible to book it over the internet.

Interestingly, when I actually checked the e-ticket, I noticed that the DCI - LHR leg had mysteriously vanished. I called up Finnair to find out that BA had cancelled it, as I had a duplicate booking with another travel agent. They sorted it out within a few hours, though at one stage, it was suggested that I might have to make my own way to New York, fly JFK - HEL - LHR then LHR - HEL - HKG. Thankfully, they managed to get me on the direct BA flight after all. I'm happy.

 

[MelUser]

We are doing similar routing - ticket issued on Friday. I was a bit upset when agent said they are withdrawing fare forever. She said airlines normally put them back on the market but increase fare. Apparently this fare was losing FInnair money - people were choosing "Routing B" which meant that only 1 long haul sector had to be on Finnair - ie ou could fly over your way and then back to Australia directly with QF - it added about $700 to fare [I haven't done this]

Fare will come back [increased] but only for travel via Asia (in both directions) so won't be possible to go to US on this fare. I wonder if people will migrate over to the $8600 - Lufthansa first class fare. This puts you into United first, lufthansa first and thai first but you can fly both ways through the US!

 

[Evan]

Fare will come back [increased] but only for travel via Asia (in both directions) so won't be possible to go to US on this fare. I wonder if people will migrate over to the $8600 - Lufthansa first class fare. This puts you into United first, lufthansa first and thai first but you can fly both ways through the US!

That LH fare sems like a great deal ! i don't usually pay much attention to *A products but would always be interested in something like that. LH first is really good, no idea what Thai or United are like but i am guessing not as good but how bad can first class be !

E

 

[MelUser]

United First is like QF - 14 beds in front of plane. This fare is good as you can go both ways [from Syd or mel] via US. Not many Thai planes leaving Australia seem to have an F cabin so it may be a waste. The fare is available in J [about $5600 plus taxes] but until United go flat bed in business [probably June 09 for pacific routes] their business isn't the best. Also, very difficult to get seats in Lufthansa for the business fare - they book out 12 months in advance! No similar problem in LH F.