OOL-DPS return more expensive than separate bookings

[Matty F]

Any ideas why booking two seperate fares is cheaper than booking a return?

OOL-DPS mid-August to mid-October in J

 

[ben95]

Is it a big margin? If a difference of 2 digit then I suspect it’s a forex conversion thing.

If you book one way from DPS your ticket will be priced in IDR but a round trip from Australia will be quoted in AUD, but VA’s revenue control probably sets fare in AUD, and so when you compare a round trip to 2 one way, there’s 2 conversion along the way (from the AUD fare in the system to the IDR fare on the website then to your google conversion back to AUD).

At each of those conversion, depending on the rate used and the mark up on those rates you can start accumulating differences. One thing to worth noting is that if you simply use Google to convert that won’t be the actual rate that gets applied by your bank. There’s always a spread in the forex market, and nobody can actually exchange currencies at that exact price quoted by Google or your FX app at that exact moment - you’d always have to pay a little bit more for the transaction.

 

[dajop]

Different markets. Very common to price fares differently in different markets.

I can similar on other cities, and the difference of about 20% is not simple exchange rate impacts..

 

[Matty F]

When searching for a return ticket:

OOL-DPS: $1,522
DPS-OOL: $1,577
Total $3,099

Booking seperately, the DPS-OOL ticket is priced as IDR 16,865,282 or ~AUD $1,332

So that's a saving of almost $250 if booked separately

Are there any downsides to doing it this way, eg. doesn't qualify for credit card travel insurance?

 

[dajop]

Are there any downsides to doing it this way, eg. doesn't qualify for credit card travel insurance?

You’d have to look at T&C of the travel insurance policy associated with the specific credit card - and if not covered weigh it up against buying a separate TI policy.

 

[Rayesfeg]

Are there any downsides to doing it this way, eg. doesn't qualify for credit card travel insurance?

Most credit card insurances will cover you so long as you have a 'return overseas travel ticket before you leave Australia'. Given you have a ticket out, and ticket back to Australia, you are covered. (There might also be a minimum spend criteria too).

As for downsides, if VA changes the outward flight and you don't like the change, you may be able to get a flight credit/refund but only on the outward flight. The return flight will not be eligible for a credit/refund because it is booked on a separate ticket.

 

[Matty F]

Thanks all - booked separately through BF, lowering price by $550

plus ~ 23k pts and 210 SC

The great thing about booking with BF is they always charge in AUD, including overseas origin flights, so you'll get the full rate if your card has a special rate for VA AUD spend

 

[Aussie_flyer]

What's BF?

 

[Matty F]

What's BF?

Here you go - Virgin Australia Business Flyer - Rewards for everyday businesses

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Are there any downsides to doing it this way, eg. doesn't qualify for credit card travel insurance?

When you go to check in departing Australia you may get asked to provide proof of onward travel from indonesia. So you may need to produce your return ticket. But that only takes seconds.

 

[bam71]

Yea the whole return vs 2 x one ways is something we always check.

 

[esseeeayeenn]

Did you price a return ticket starting in Bali?
That would provide an interesting data point.

Return airfares from EU to AU are generally much cheaper than from AU to EU.
I have been meaning to book a one way flight to Paris with points and then keep buying return tickets from Paris to Perth thereafter.