International Multi-city Booking

[serfty]

As may have been mentioned, why not book an open jaw Sin-Bne, SYD-sin? Then just book the connector on a red e-deal?

That is likely to be more expensive that buying outright.

Often the base fare is the same for BNE-xSYD-SIN-BNE as it is for for BNE-SIN-BNE; with only the additional airport charges for transiting Sydney being applied in the former.

 

[cmon0005]

My guess is that by changing the BNE-SYD flight you are in effect changing the booking class for the entire journey. The originally offered flights (incl 5:00am BNE-SYD) may have all been available in say N class. But the 5:00pm BNE-SYD is not available in N class and the cheapest for that sector may be say M class. So its now repricing the entire journey as M class (perhaps the fare rules for the N class fare does not permitted mixed class ticketing). Hence the extra $379 is not just the extra price for BNE-SYD, but the additional cost of the entire journey in the higher class.

Then when you change back to the 5:00am flight, the system is retaining the higher booking class (e.g. M in my example) rather than repricing back to the lowest booking class that would be applicable for the journey.

I am not suggesting this is how the system shoudl work, just posing a possible explanation as to why you are seeing this behavior.

I think you're right NM.

I've just done a little experiment to put the theory that the fare class changes to a higher one if you go back to your original timings in the tool and have a +$ amount showing up.


MEL-HKG (Q)
SIN-MEL (O)
in March 2014
Total fare: $844

I then clicked 'back' changed the first flight from MEL-HKG, to a MEL-SIN-HKG for extra $~419 of which the SIN-HKG leg was CX, I then changed back to direct MEL-HKG service and instead of being a -minus $~419 it wanted another +$93 on top!
Then checked the fare class and both MEL-HKG and SIN-MEL were now both S-S.

I don't remember the 'old' Multi-city engine doing this, so I think QF should definitely look into this as its behaving like a "Change my booking" rather than a new booking tool.

 

[docjames]

That is likely to be more expensive that buying outright.

Often the base fare is the same for BNE-xSYD-SIN-BNE as it is for for BNE-SIN-BNE; with only the additional airport charges for transiting Sydney being applied in the former.

Except in this case it is triggering a fare rise so may be lower.

 

[doctau]

I've had problems with multi-city too, but completely different ones. With I add all 5 segments of my trip it tells me one of them is not available on the date specified, but unhelpfully doesn't tell me which one. Add any four of the five segments on the same dates and it works...

 

[JohnK]

As may have been mentioned, why not book an open jaw Sin-Bne, SYD-sin? Then just book the connector on a red e-deal?

The flights I want to book will be much more expensive if booked separately on a red e-deal.

There is clearly a bug here. I am not sure how to get Qantas to treat it seriously without the help of say Redroo.

By the way flights do not need to booked right away but I would like to get these out of the way now rather than later.

 

[JohnK]

Called the Platinum desk today and was on phone for ~57 minutes! :shock:

I reported the problem and the lovely CSR was able to reproduce the issue and then called her supervisor to log the issue with IT in Sydney.

And I asked if there was any way we could book this before the current special ends this week and she told me to create a booking and get it all the way to the payment page. She then took over the booking and made the relevant changes.

I am not happy with some of the fare changes but the end result is close to what I wanted. The booking is on hold until 31 October so I will call her back and we can finalise the booking.

A good result overall and hope Qantas are able to fix this issue ASAP.

 

[cmon0005]

Good job John, I've been meaning to call them about it too just haven't had the time. Hopefully it's fixed soon!

 

[JohnK]

I was playing around with the booking engine past couple of days and it appears it is fine if having simple itineraries such as SIN-xSYD-BNE-xSYD-SIN. Once you start to add some stopovers is where the booking engine loses the plot.

Anyway called up today and finalised the booking I had on hold and all is now confirmed. More than happy with the end result.

I have also asked if possible to notify me if they have any outcome on the issue I raised.

 

[JohnK]

Am I the only one who uses the international multi-city booking engine?

Trying to plan the next trip in June 2014 and the same as before. Everytime I try to add a complex itinerary it prices as a flexible airfare.

Red Roo this is not good enough. Airline is bleeding and there is no focus in getting a simple thing like the multi-city booking working.

 

[docjames]

I have encountered that problem - ends up in higher fare bucket.

The only think I can this of us use another site for fare buckets then get a price via phone and tell them it couldn't be booked online (to avoid fee).

PITA and yes, adds to the trove of things the website should, but doesn't, do.

 

[JohnK]

I can call and get a price but I want to be able to do some what-if type of scenarios and the call centre is too time consuming. I create an itinerary, the call centre takes over the itinerary and then can make changes for 3 days while that itinerary is on hold.

I do not believe other websites are able to do the complex things I want to achieve.

I know I should be able to do it. Qantas is just ignoring the issues.

And the silly part is I am ready to give them money now for travel in 6-8 months.

 

[docjames]

Agreed - its a fail from the QF website.

Itasoftware matrix will allow multi-leg bookings - it may do it for you?

 

[JohnK]

I have tried Ita Software.

Not really good enough for what I want to do. It does not offer all flights options I know should be available and it sometimes wastes all available options with QF codeshares on JQ metal. As if that is going to happen.

 

[docjames]

Ok, was just a thought.

I guess you're snookered other than looking up individual sub-combos then calling.

 

[JohnK]

I guess you're snookered other than looking up individual sub-combos then calling.

Yes I am snookered. I have an idea on what the itinerary should cost and if I get some time I will give them a call.

The other thing is I could book a simple premium economy itinerary instead which will give me the same SCs but not the same QFF points.

 

[docjames]

I think just find the time and call.

There's a sale ex-sin at the moment if that helps?

 

[JohnK]

Funny you say that as it would appear ex-SIN has been on sale for a long time.

I will call in the next few days just out of curiosity.

 

[Buzzard]

i just went to a travel agent and they did the multi city for me
worked a treat

 

[docjames]

Yes, that would be the other option.

 

[JohnK]

I have given up. It does not happen very often but I have given up on trying a multi-city booking.

I am going to make a very simple booking via Expedia.