Raw deal for Aussie flyers

[supa007]

Just a general question. US and EU get the best flight deals! Just checked out EY sales in Europe, example of MXP-MEL return in J for $3230 next June/July!!! If I reverse the direction, MEL-MXP during same period, it's $6900! The best price I've seen on EY in J from East Coast AUS to Europe is ~$5000.

Is this just another form of Aussie Tax because we have a small market?

Any way for us Aussies to get their sort of prices?

 

[Mattg]

Yes, it basically is an "Aussie tax". All airlines charge it because, well, they can.

There are a couple of ways to get around it:

1. If you travel to Europe at least once per year, buy return tickets originating in Europe. Then, nest the return leg as the start of your next trip.

2. There are also some good business class fares from Asia to Europe. You can take advantage of these by buying separate tickets from Australia-Asia and Asia-Europe.

 

[bsb]

Is this just another form of Aussie Tax because we have a small market?

It isn't about AU being a small market, because long haul wise, it isn't really. It's more about it being a premium market and Australians being well off (I know it may not seem that way, but we are in comparison) but more so, we're willing to pay the prices offered. And we do.

Fly to BKK - use points, JQ J (icky as that is) or BI. Lots of cheap options out of BKK and when QR UL MH have sales, they can be amazing prices. Pretty much the same on all carrier ex BKK J and you can fly some funky airlines as well as the obvious ones. You can get AU to Europe for <$4k in J if you have a few extra days to spare.

 

[TheRealTMA]

The difference between booking Qantas (EK metal) BNE-MXP for two people return and MXP-BNE same seats in J or F is approx $12,000. Simply a qantas tax on us dumbos here in Australia. It's been this way for years and is allowed and even encouraged by the restrictive governing fare rules allows by the Australian govt.

Obviously the Australian Productivity Committee and the ACCC only see value in eliminating restrictive practices in national party electorates.

 

[nlagalle]

The difference between booking Qantas (EK metal) BNE-MXP for two people return and MXP-BNE same seats in J or F is approx $12,000. Simply a qantas tax on us dumbos here in Australia. It's been this way for years and is allowed and even encouraged by the restrictive governing fare rules allows by the Australian govt.

Obviously the Australian Productivity Committee and the ACCC only see value in eliminating restrictive practices in national party electorates.

It's not a QF tax - all airlines price around the same...

 

[juddles]

You can get into a dither about Life being unfair, or you can get on with your life and just get that airfares are a complex business

 

[Dr Ralph]

Just a general question. US and EU get the best flight deals! Just checked out EY sales in Europe, example of MXP-MEL return in J for $3230 next June/July!!! If I reverse the direction, MEL-MXP during same period, it's $6900! The best price I've seen on EY in J from East Coast AUS to Europe is ~$5000.

Is this just another form of Aussie Tax because we have a small market?

Any way for us Aussies to get their sort of prices?

It's all a game. You need to know how to play it.

 

[TheRealTMA]

It's not a QF tax - all airlines price around the same...

With respect, yes it is. It's a restrictive fare pricing practice in place to protect Qantas that's been going on for over 30 years.

Only way around it is to use FF points to get out or Australia then book returns from Europe - Australia.

 

[amaroo]

"Treasure Island" - not just airlines having a go.

Coles chief's 'Treasure Island' warning to suppliers

 

[BAM1748]

Free world, we live in a capitalist society. Be careful what is wished for.

 

[marki]

I have bought economy fares from Europe to Melbourne and return -- 900 Euro on Qantas economy. Still a bit more expensive then others but being a QFF I thought it was worth it!!

 

[TheRealTMA]

I have bought economy fares from Europe to Melbourne and return -- 900 Euro on Qantas economy. Still a bit more expensive then others but being a QFF I thought it was worth it!!

Interestingly, in my recent purchase of MXP-BNE-MXP, J and F were $12k for two cheaper, but economy was $400 pp more... (Note: to those concerned, not that we considered it as an option.)