QANTAS fares to LHR

[ferntree]

As a general rule we choose to fly with QANTAS, partly out of loyalty, partly because we are generally happy with the service. Often this has meant paying a touch more but that never worried us, but now .... enough is enough.

On planning a trip to the UK for June/July 2017 I was stunned to see that return fares SYD-LHR for my partner and myself in Premium Economy came in at over $13,900 for the two of us.

Some comparisons with comparable One World airlines: Cathay Pacific Premium Economy, around $8,500. Finnair Business Class a smidgeon over $12,000. That's booking direct with the airlines, not a dodgy web agent.

Such a huge difference leaves me gobsmacked. Needless to say, we didn't book QANTAS for this trip.

Any similar stories or explanations?

 

[travelislife]

I would have thought you should be able to get business class for around 6k each. No way I would pay that for premium economy.

 

[ferntree]

Business Class for that itinerary on QANTAS was just a shade over $18.5 k - well out of line with other One World airlines!

 

[Mattg]

I agree with you that almost $7,000 each for SYD-LHR return in premium economy is too expensive.

But... if you haven't already booked, may I suggest you wait until the Early Bird sales are released in around October? You're likely to find the same seats for several thousands dollars cheaper then. 10-11 months ahead of travel is rarely the cheapest time to book.

 

[ferntree]

I agree with you that almost $7,000 each for SYD-LHR return in premium economy is too expensive.

But... if you haven't already booked, may I suggest you wait until the Early Bird sales are released in around October? You're likely to find the same seats for several thousands dollars cheaper then. 10-11 months ahead of travel is rarely the cheapest time to book.

Thanks Matt, that's a great tip for the future. In this case, we've decided to go with Finnair Business Class, seems like a good deal.

 

[Boca68]

I agree with you that almost $7,000 each for SYD-LHR return in premium economy is too expensive.

But... if you haven't already booked, may I suggest you wait until the Early Bird sales are released in around October? You're likely to find the same seats for several thousands dollars cheaper then. 10-11 months ahead of travel is rarely the cheapest time to book.

I have to agree with Matt, if you have already booked, its way too early for the better prices. If you booked flex, I'd cancel them and re-book as soon as the prices drop. Give it a couple of months (October as Matt says)

I would almost guarantee, between now and the end of the year a QF Y+ sale and/or J sale for LHR. Possibly up to 40% saving, but at least 25%.

 

[ferntree]

I would almost guarantee, between now and the end of the year a QF Y+ sale and/or J sale for LHR. Possibly up to 40% saving, but at least 25%.

This makes sense: so by advertising fares for a certain period of time at ridiculously over-inflated prices they can legally claim 30% or 40% (or whatever) reduction when they charge the "real" price.

 

[Mattg]

This makes sense: so by advertising fares for a certain period of time at ridiculously over-inflated prices they can legally claim 30% or 40% (or whatever) reduction when they charge the "real" price.

I guess in practice that's how it happens. But it's not the airline's motivation.

All airlines release "structural", or year-round fares 11-12 months in advance. These are the standard prices - not discounted, but not inflated either.

The promotion fares usually only become available within 6-9 months of travel. In the case of Qantas flights to Europe, QF historically run an "Early bird" sale in around October each year, for flights the following year. This is generally the best time to buy.

No airline will offer discounted airfares on a flight 11 months in advance - they still have a massive amount of time to sell all of those seats, and they won't yet have enough data to determine whether or not future booking levels meet expectations. Keep in mind that the majority of seats are generally sold within 1-2 months of the flight.

Edit: Sure enough, I just had a look on Expert Flyer and QF haven't opened up any "T" class fares (the cheapest premium economy fares) for any SYD-LHR flights next June/July. In fact, most flights are only selling full fare W class at the moment. That would explain the ridiculous prices at present. I would expect T class to become available in the coming months...

 

[Comoman]

I have the same problem ex-Perth (business class).

SQ - ~ $7500
QR - ~$6500
EY - ~$6500
CX- ~$7800
QF/EK - ~$9-11000

This is not random dates. I travel every 4-6 weeks and this is the continual cycle. Needless to say QF/EK doesn't get my business.....

The QF "business saver" fares typically have the leg from Dubai to Lhr/Lgw and back in economy if they are cheaper.......

 

[ferntree]

I have the same problem ex-Perth (business class)....
This is not random dates. I travel every 4-6 weeks and this is the continual cycle. Needless to say QF/EK doesn't get my business.....

Interesting, thanks.

And, btw, the $12 K business fare with Finnair (compared to $18.5K with Qantas) is actually a Qantas operated codeshare between SYD and Singapore!!!

 

[NZflygirl]

All airlines release "structural", or year-round fares 11-12 months in advance. These are the standard prices - not discounted, but not inflated either.

The promotion fares usually only become available within 6-9 months of travel. In the case of Qantas flights to Europe, QF historically run an "Early bird" sale in around October each year, for flights the following year. This is generally the best time to buy.

No airline will offer discounted airfares on a flight 11 months in advance - they still have a massive amount of time to sell all of those seats, and they won't yet have enough data to determine whether or not future booking levels meet expectations. Keep in mind that the majority of seats are generally sold within 1-2 months of the flight.

Edit: Sure enough, I just had a look on Expert Flyer and QF haven't opened up any "T" class fares (the cheapest premium economy fares) for any SYD-LHR flights next June/July. In fact, most flights are only selling full fare W class at the moment. That would explain the ridiculous prices at present. I would expect T class to become available in the coming months...

Sorry bit off topic...

That's such an interesting use of Expert Flyer. I've been debating for some time if its worth joining up. I would like to use it to save money and use points more effectively. I've been tracking what Air NZ's sale prices are to various destinations but not the dates they came out or were applicable for as I figured it would depend on loadings whether they went on sale. Just bought PE AKL-SIN for 6 months out but felt I overpaid by $500 by my sale fare comparisons but when I called NZ they said half the PE cabin was sold so I figured I didn't want to risk flying in Y on a red eye chancing an upgrade so bought PE with $ and another with APD to confirm seats now. Figured if half the cabin was sold it would be unlikely to go on sale between now and Feb. And it seems to be more of a 789 than 772 to so only 21 seats PE available. Always a hard call that one - go the upgrade and save more points or wait for another sale and risk the price increasing and no sale or buy now at a reasonable-ish price.

 

[dodgeyhack]

Sorry bit off topic... That's such an interesting use of Expert Flyer. I've been debating for some time if its worth joining up. I would like to use it to save money and use points more effectively. I've been tracking what Air NZ's sale prices are to various destinations but not the dates they came out or were applicable for as I figured it would depend on loadings whether they went on sale. Just bought PE AKL-SIN for 6 months out but felt I overpaid by $500 by my sale fare comparisons but when I called NZ they said half the PE cabin was sold so I figured I didn't want to risk flying in Y on a red eye chancing an upgrade so bought PE with $ and another with APD to confirm seats now. Figured if half the cabin was sold it would be unlikely to go on sale between now and Feb. And it seems to be more of a 789 than 772 to so only 21 seats PE available. Always a hard call that one - go the upgrade and save more points or wait for another sale and risk the price increasing and no sale or buy now at a reasonable-ish price.

For the last couple of weeks I've had an economy fare booked but not ticketed and had an alert on T class set on expertflyer. On the day ticketing was due 1 T seat popped up and I grabbed it. This is for mid September this year, and from what I can tell there's about 6 seats let to sell (W6 R3).

 

[ferntree]

The promotion fares usually only become available within 6-9 months of travel. In the case of Qantas flights to Europe, QF historically run an "Early bird" sale in around October each year, for flights the following year. This is generally the best time to buy.

No airline will offer discounted airfares on a flight 11 months in advance - they still have a massive amount of time to sell all of those seats, and they won't yet have enough data to determine whether or not future booking levels meet expectations. Keep in mind that the majority of seats are generally sold within 1-2 months of the flight.

This is handy information, thanks ... but still doesn't explain the HUGE disparity between Qantas fares and those of other One World Airlines for the same dates!

 

[ellen10]

I too have been looking at QF Premium Economy fares for June/July 2017.
Qantas has just finished a Y+ sale (ended on Aug 23)
Originally I saw a fare of $6900 but when I looked a couple of days later it had jumped to $9900.
So looked elsewhere and nearly booked Singapore Air for $6018 until I realised that one of the legs (SIN to LHR) was in economy.
Back to the QF site and I was able to pick up return fares Y+ for $6994 (we are actually flying into Milan and out of Paris but via LHR).
My Qantas session timed out before I completed the sale but then about 15 mins later I received an email saying they would hold the flights for me until midnight.
So I purchased them and rang Qantas to change my return flight as it is a free change before midnight.

So I am happy I have it all booked. I did consider waiting for another sale later on in the year, but I didn't want to risk it.

 

[bryanjones]

Wow, these are just crazy y+ fares. But peace of mind that you have your travel sorted is priceless...

 

[ellen10]

Wow, these are just crazy y+ fares. But peace of mind that you have your travel sorted is priceless...

Agreed peace of mind is a biggie. Now the planning for a 7 week trip can commence.

 

[travelislife]

Why do people pay/book Y+ for this much when I am sure if you did some shopping around you could definitely get to Europe in J for that much?

 

[Spongbob]

Why do people pay/book Y+ for this much when I am sure if you did some shopping around you could definitely get to Europe in J for that much?

I agree. BA's World Traveller Plus (their Y+) is always cheaper than QF's Y+ to LHR (but BA is not as good as QF). I guess sticking with QF is for the points, status credits, and chance of an upgrade to J.

 

[Boca68]

Why do people pay/book Y+ for this much when I am sure if you did some shopping around you could definitely get to Europe in J for that much?

I actually find, if you research a little , you can get Y+ for about the same as a full flex Y fare. Sometimes 10 to 15% cheaper. Usually, a sale Y+ is around the flex Y and at least 30% cheaper than a sale J fare. And probably 50+% cheaper than a full flex J.

Of course, no hard and fast rules, but over time it works out. I usually compare sale J fares and Y+ as my first options. Happy to pay a little extra for J, but not willing to go over the odds, so to speak.

 

[ellen10]

Why do people pay/book Y+ for this much when I am sure if you did some shopping around you could definitely get to Europe in J for that much?

I did quite a bit of shopping around.
My flights are June/July so peak prices.
I looked at ANZ Y+ was over $10000, Virgin Nearly $12000, Cathay $9500 and a few more.
I looked at Y flights to Asia e.g. to SIN and then Finnair J still worked out over $10000. Beyond my budget.