SYD FRA MOW with qantas/s7 RISKY ?

[Shanye2233]

Hi I could really use some advice and help. I have been reading a few thread and found the sydney mow for under $1k . I read on points hack as well and it seems all good.

This isn't for my it's for my inlaws I have already brought tickets and they want to join us. I'm really excited and really want to help them out.

I have put in the dates on the s7 website for 17th may 2012 and returning 4th July which totals 65000RUB a touch over $2,000 for two people which is terrific. But when it's time to pay there is no where to add a stop over and there is no pay pal which makes me worried. I would hate for them to lose that amount of money or anyone else.

Has anyone taken up this deal and actually flown. And does anyone know how to add stop overs. As stated I want to fly SYD FRA stopover then continue the rest FRA MOW FRA SYD.

 

[deejo77]

Something is going off in my head - I think I read on here somewhere - that you can not stop in FRA (thats why the ticket is so bloody CHEAP!!!) - so if you want to go out of Russia you need to make sure you visa is multi visit and you have the right "invite" letters. I will try and find the thread link.

 

[Shanye2233]

I have been reading I think on pointshack.com.au it says you can stop in FRA . My issue is I don't want to pay 2 grand to some company in Russia and then not get anything back. They don't accept pay pal only cc. Other then a few posts here and there I can't find anything else about it. I'm not sure if everyone wants to keep it quiet no just aren't interested.

 

[ferdeline]

I've flown S7 before (in 2009) and they're a legit carrier. Plus, they're part of the oneworld alliance. I'm buying a ticket to Moscow with them this week as it's a great price. And I'd feel a hell of a lot safer paying for a plane ticket than I would with PayPal.

 

[Shanye2233]

So your using this site that prices out in RUB. Are you having any stopovers I want to add a stopover in fra so I can travel into zadar . Once you book and pay do they send you a intin. instant .

Has anyone actually brought this fare and flown or is ggoing to fly . I would like to hear
from their experiences. I don't want to leave the airport
on now just catch a connecting plane home back to
Sydney .

 

[ferdeline]

If you're that paranoid about flying S7, perhaps you should consider another carrier?

Yes, I've flown S7 before, but not on that EXACT route, and not on that EXACT fare. But I did book my previous flight (from Vladistock to Tokyo) with them online, and had no issues at all. And yes, I paid in RUB with an Australian credit card. I don't remember what confirmation they sent (for some reason I think they mailed me a physical ticket) but this was back in 2009.

All I'm saying is that S7 is a real carrier that is part of oneworld. I might be concerned if I were buying a ticket in cash, but with a credit card you're protected if something were to happen.

 

[pmdg7444]

I wonder if you print out the booking page and take it to Ta and ask them to price match it - would them accept? (hehe) - the fare is ex Aus, on a legitimate carrier and publicly available so I see why not. At least that transfers the risk on them.

 

[Shanye2233]

I'm not questioning the s7 carrier. I'm questioning the fare and worried il be stuck at the airport. I'm also concerned because I want to have a stop over in Frankfurt and I still don't know how to add it into the intinerary .
I read somewhere people mentioning you need a dual passport to go to Russia and jump on another plane which adds to the costs I think about $190 p/p.
i rang qantas I was thinking about doing a price promise but you have to book the ticket on qantas first pay the $4k plus and then show the lower fare. And according to the CSR they don't use s7 out of fra mow they use LH. So that what be a fail.

Im going to try FT and see what other info I can dig up.

 

[ferdeline]

None of that is true. I have been to Russia on numerous occasions (with only an Australian passport) and, while you do need a visa and invitation letter (which will cost about $190 total), you don't need a "dual passport." And if you go on Qantas.com.au, you can book this exact same flight - flying S7 - if you use the Mult-City tool. Same Qantas flight number, same S7 flight number, but at Qantas' extortinant prices.

I don't know how to add a Frankfurt stopover online; maybe you will need to call S7 and book over the phone to arrange this?

 

[Shanye2233]

None of that is true. I have been to Russia on numerous occasions (with only an Australian passport) and, while you do need a visa and invitation letter (which will cost about $190 total), you don't need a "dual passport." And if you go on Qantas.com.au, you can book this exact same flight - flying S7 - if you use the Mult-City tool. Same Qantas flight number, same S7 flight number, but at Qantas' extortinant prices.

I don't know how to add a Frankfurt stopover online; maybe you will need to call S7 and book over the phone to arrange this?

If this is true and you can book online with qantas using the s7 carrier wouldn't this be a price promise guarantee ? Sorry that's my mistake a visa/invitation letter. Do you need even when your not going to leave the airport just catching a connecting flight. I may have to call them but don't want to alert them to the price if it's an error although it's been around for months now.

 

[ferdeline]

Please do NOT alert them to this price. I am sure it is an error but I would appreciate it if you did not tell them.

My understanding is that you do require a visa even if you are just transiting the airport.

No, Qantas' price promise guarantee only applies to flights booked on websites ending in .au and which charge your credit card in Australian dollars. This flight therefore is not eligible for the guarantee.

 

[pmdg7444]

if the issue is regarding entry, exit, I wonder if another option is to just no show for the FRA-MOW-FRA sectors - prob impossible with thru checked bags.

 

[ferdeline]

if the issue is regarding entry, exit, I wonder if another option is to just no show for the FRA-MOW-FRA sectors - prob impossible with thru checked bags.

I would have thought that would void the rest of your travels (FRA-SYD)?

 

[Shanye2233]

I'm not 100% but I was reading if you don't show for a leg then the rest of the segments are void. I "WILL NOT " call them and ask that's why Im inquiring here . But usually error fares only last a few days until they find a lot of people booking these flights and they catch on. I'm on another mistake fare myself at the moment going to europe in F
so looks like I can only book syd fra mow catch a connector and then return back to mow and continue the rest of the flight. So people agree sholdnt be an issue with the cc details and is fully secure? I'm getting more confident about paying now. If I can find a cheap flight from MOW ZAG I'm going to book and pay.

How do I go about getting a invitation letter ??

 

[alieninperth]

AFAIK this is not an error fare, it is fairly consistent across the months. You will need a visa, even if transiting and you will need to find out from the Russian Embassay how to go about this.

 

[shearsense]

AFAIK this is not an error fare, it is fairly consistent across the months. You will need a visa, even if transiting and you will need to find out from the Russian Embassay how to go about this.

Interesting. I recall not needing a visa when transiting SVO with SU several times over the last few years. Maybe DME is different.

 

[travelislife]

Credit card is much safer than PayPal I would say as you can always do a chargeback if you do not receive the services paid for.

There is nothing wrong with making the booking. I have no idea about the stopover possibilities in FRA or visa requirements but online they seem to want all their fares to end in Russia.

 

[alieninperth]

Interesting. I recall not needing a visa when transiting SVO with SU several times over the last few years. Maybe DME is different.

You may be correct Types of Russia Visa it would appear that I was wrong. Given the flight times to/from FRAand MOS it will require an overnight stay airside. if possible.

 

[shearsense]

You may be correct Types of Russia Visa it would appear that I was wrong. Given the flight times to/from FRAand MOS it will require an overnight stay airside. if possible.

For such an incredibly cheap fare, a little inconvenience may be worth it

 

[Shanye2233]

so checking dates now i cant find any of the promo fares price ?? The cheapest seems to be 7890RUB now one way