QF AKL-OOL in J for NZD505 one-way

[Mattg]

I know this has already been discussed in the trans-Tamsan bubble thread, but this offer is good enough that I thought it would be worth starting a separate thread.

As we all know, trans-Tasman fares (especially business class) are generally very expensive at the moment. But Qantas' new AKL-OOL services have J fares available for NZD505 (~AU$467) one-way. That seems pretty good, even if it is on a Boeing 737-800.

Earns 80 status credits, which could be useful for anyone doing a Qantas status fast-track and needing to earn 100 SCs.

AKL-CNS in J is also available for NZD616. This is an A330 flight and also earns 80 SC.

Note: For whatever reason, this fare only seems to be available ex-NZ. Tickets originating in Australia seem to be priced higher.

 

[aus_flyer]

Some things are best not published

 

[Mattg]

Some things are best not published

I understand this, but I don't think this is one of them as it's a genuine sale fare being advertised on the front page of the Qantas NZ website?

 

[Kiwi_Flyer]

It is a published sale fare. There are some other routes in business class (hint departing other places in NZ) that have a similar $ per SC but for more SC.

 

[aikman]

Good way to use an Amex travel credit.

 

[pmdg7444]

Some things are best not published

yep fare rules changed around lunctime...

 

[henrus]

Yep nothing special about the price, it's a regular sale fare.

Qantas will be really pushing this route as it's brand new. The first flight today left AKL for OOL with 3 in business and about 35 in economy (~21% load). Things were better on the OOL-AKL with 4 in business and 82 in economy (~49% load) however given many other routes were full or near full especially on the AU->NZ direction, it's a little concerning and unless things pick up the route might not go daily in late May as expected (which could mean AKL-SYD/MEL-OOL reroutes if they go down that path).

 

[Mattg]

Things were better on the OOL-AKL with 4 in business

FWIW, I know that at least one of those seats was given away for free to media.

 

[aus_flyer]

Disappointing to see the AKL-SYD-OOL routing option disappear.
A good reason to not publish good fares. Slow clap.

 

[henrus]

Disappointing to see the AKL-SYD-OOL routing option disappear.

I thought I was going crazy as I couldn't find basic things like BNE-SYD-CHC (which I'd flown many times before) however it seems that almost all connecting fares have been removed and replaced by two separate fares or no replacement at all.

I hope it's a mistake but given it's been like it for a few days now I don't think they're going back.

 

[aikman]

Tickets originating in Australia seem to be priced higher.

Fares now on sale originating in Gold Coast.

 

[muppet]

I thought I was going crazy as I couldn't find basic things like BNE-SYD-CHC (which I'd flown many times before) however it seems that almost all connecting fares have been removed and replaced by two separate fares or no replacement at all.

I hope it's a mistake but given it's been like it for a few days now I don't think they're going back.

I found the same, but connections on classic awards still work.

 

[Kiwi_Flyer]

I thought I was going crazy as I couldn't find basic things like BNE-SYD-CHC (which I'd flown many times before) however it seems that almost all connecting fares have been removed and replaced by two separate fares or no replacement at all.

I hope it's a mistake but given it's been like it for a few days now I don't think they're going back.

Yup looks like fare routing rules have been modified for business sale and standard fares, even for cases where nonstop flights are not possible. Seeing leg(s) booking into economy that only a week ago would book into business. Doesn't seem to have affected business flex fares.

 

[henrus]

Seeing leg(s) booking into economy that only a week ago would book into business. Doesn't seem to have affected business flex fares.

So they've increased the prices and reduced the service.

I booked a CHC-SYD-OOL all in business for around $800. Same flights/dates/fare it's now about $1000 with just CHC-SYD in business and then SYD-OOL in economy.

 

[serfty]

Yup looks like fare routing rules have been modified for business sale and standard fares, even for cases where nonstop flights are not possible. Seeing leg(s) booking into economy that only a week ago would book into business. Doesn't seem to have affected business flex fares.

I am reliably informed the fare rules were not changed on Monday. That NZD566 AKL-xSYD-OOL still existed, but the marriage required both N and I classes. The former's availability was severely attenuated.

 

[Kiwi_Flyer]

I am reliably informed the fare rules have not changed Monday. That NZD566 AKL-xSYD-OOL still existed, but the marriage required both N and I classes. The former's availability was severely attenuated.

I'm not referring to just that specific fare and routing. There are plenty of other trans-Tasman routes which were reliably booking all legs in business class and now don't. @henrus gave one example but there are plenty of others. I take your point it isn't necessarily the fare rules that have been amended and booking class availability for married segments could also have been tweaked for buckets other than full fare.