some exceptionally low fares - are they mistakes?

[luxury-lizard]

We're looking (in fact in the process of) booking a Ponant cruise mid-March 2022 from MRU to SEZ via Madagascar (using a credit from a cancelled 2020 cruise). Now I've already started searching for both paid and award flight options to MRU and from SEZ to Sydney.

While the booking window won't open for a few weeks - I've been looking at some earlier dates (Jan 2022) to get an idea of what might be available.

To my surprise (among other non-EK options which I won't discuss here as it's OT) - I've seen KUL-MRU for $2000 in J on EK and even SEZ-SYD in F for $3900 ($3000 in J) - these fares seem so attractive I'm thinking it's better value than using miles for award seats (which may not even be available). Of course we would need a flight SYD-KUL on the outbound (but that could be an award flight). Any options ex-SYD (or other Asian ports) are $1000's more.

So at this stage I'm hoping these aren't mistakes (which will be corrected) before I go to book - if not, then all I really need to worry about is the Covid/borders issues . . . . but it's certainly nice to be back planning big trips again.

 

[Mattg]

I don't think these are mistake fares. Attractive, yes. If you were buying ex-Australia, they would seem unusually cheap but fares purchased for itineraries that originate overseas are often better value.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I don't think these are mistake fares. Attractive, yes. If you were buying ex-Australia, they would seem unusually cheap but fares purchased for itineraries that originate overseas are often better value.

Agree.

Those fares seem 'about right' for business class. Standard fares out of Asia to Europe on Cathay, Emirates, Qatar, Turkish are in the AUD2100-3500 range. Ex DXB the leg to MRU is about the same as a flight to Europe.

Out of Australia we pay the 'Australia tax' - inflated prices based on what they think the market will pay rather than any reflection of actual cost.