V Australia ditch children's discounts

[odysseus]

I haven't seen this announced and searched but couldn't find it explained on their web site, but when making bookings now on V Australia, all fare classes show the same price whether booking as an adult OR a child. This makes booking family trips with them an even more expensive proposition, and often gives the pricing advantage to any of their competitors.

It definitely makes me less likely to book with them... I'm quite surprised that they would be the first to remove the child discount, particularly with their reported yields and operations to date. By reducing family ticket sales, it's not apparent that they're going to fill it with any other customer class.

 

[anat0l]

I just did a dummy booking for 2 adults and 2 children going BNE-LAX return in Y. The fare calculated correctly; this was on the cheapest fare basis (V Deal/Promo).

The fare selection page shows the adult fare, but when you get to the total fare summary page thereafter, the correct total fare is calculated for adults and children.

Note the fare rules for V Deal and V Promo, which has the following stipulations about children fares (it is the same for both fare bases; bold parts are my emphasis / editorial):

Infants (under 2 yrs ) 10% of fare excluding taxes, fees & surcharges, but only if they do not occupy a separate seat. Infants must be accompanied.

For flights to the Unted (sic) States, Canada and South Africa:

Children (2-11 yrs) 75% of fare excluding taxes, fees & surcharges.

For flights to Thailand and Fiji:

Children (2-11 yrs) 100% of fare

 

[MissBurrill]

By reducing family ticket sales, it's not apparent that they're going to fill it with any other customer class.

I would have thought it would increase sales to those who do not like out of control children on flights.

 

[odysseus]

Thanks for finding that info anatol. I did try clicking the V Deal and V Promo links on the initial summary page which took me to V Australia > Fare Types and Cabins and it didn't have any relevant info, but didn't click further on to the details. Also tried the search facility, but didn't get anything useful.

The bookings I tried were for different destinations in Thailand and there the prices returned on the summary page are the same for both children and adults. I hadn't tried to other destinations, but from what you wrote it seems they've just decided to introduce this for Fiji and Thailand. I'm still not sure of the benefit to them of that.

Although both are significant leisure destinations they still have competition and if other airlines keep it cheaper for families then that's still larger blocks of seats that won't be booked on V.

 

[markis10]

The bookings I tried were for different destinations in Thailand and there the prices returned on the summary page are the same for both children and adults. I hadn't tried to other destinations, but from what you wrote it seems they've just decided to introduce this for Fiji and Thailand. I'm still not sure of the benefit to them of that.

Although both are significant leisure destinations they still have competition and if other airlines keep it cheaper for families then that's still larger blocks of seats that won't be booked on V.

QF are similar for NAN:
1 adult x 968.22 = $968.22
1 child x 753.32 = $753.32
1 infant x 157.00 = $157.00

JQ also for NAN

Adult $254.00
Passenger Movement $47.00
Safety and Security $3.00
AU Int Passenger SC $25.00
Airfare per paying Adult $329.00
1 x Adult Subtotal $329.00
Child $254.00
Safety and Security $3.00
AU Int Passenger SC $25.00
Airfare per paying Child $282.00
1 x Child Subtotal $282.00
Infant $0.00
1 x Infant Subtotal $0.00

And JQ to coughet are the same as VA

Adult $384.00
Passenger Movement $47.00
Safety and Security $3.00
AU Int Passenger SC $25.00
Airfare per paying Adult $459.00
1 x Adult Subtotal $459.00
Child $384.00
Safety and Security $3.00
AU Int Passenger SC $25.00
Airfare per paying Child $412.00
1 x Child Subtotal $412.00
Infant $0.00
1 x Infant Subtotal $0.0

 

[rotuma1]

V Austalia are now charging 100% for children 2-11 yrs on all fare classes for flights to Fiji & Thailand v.v.

So this applies whether purchasing cheap eco fare all the way up to Fully flex (J) business fare.

Considering high family holiday locations, with Fiji atleast having at times children stay/eat free promos, may work against them in the long run.

Poorly thought out way to increase profits.

 

[markis10]

Jetstar also charge 100% across all fares, I think VA are just going by what the competition does.

 

[anat0l]

Did a dummy booking for QF BNE-NAN (direct, though shouldn't matter), which of course codeshares on Air Pacific.

Children will pay 75% of the adult fare, excluding taxes, fees and surcharges (which are, of course, standard rates). This is on the current "Special" fare basis that QF have, which is unusual because QF will not normally allow child discounts on sale or very cheap fare bases (cf. more expensive or premium class fares).

I checked VA's website and it seems that all fare bases, from V Promo to Business Flexi, all do not have child discounts on flights to/from Thailand and Fiji. (Other locations 75% of adult fare ex taxes/fees/surcharges).

 

[markis10]

Did a dummy booking for QF BNE-NAN (direct, though shouldn't matter), which of course codeshares on Air Pacific.

.

I think thats an error with the QF website, the fare rules for the J fare say kids at full rate as well, needless to say you know which airline our family are using to go to NAN!

 

[anat0l]

I think thats an error with the QF website, the fare rules for the J fare say kids at full rate as well, needless to say you know which airline our family are using to go to NAN!

Just did a dummy booking for BNE-NAN leaving later this month in J (this is full J, the only basis available ex-AU). Confimed that children do get discounts.

 

[markis10]

The QF rules are saying that as well now, I must have been looking at a different fare basis when I booked a few weeks ago, however still got the 75% despite the rules saying no.

 

[odysseus]

Jetstar also charge 100% across all fares, I think VA are just going by what the competition does.

It's normal for the LCCs, but Virgin and V moreso, have claimed to be above that. This then takes them away from their competition.

 

[markis10]

It's normal for the LCCs, but Virgin and V moreso, have claimed to be above that. This then takes them away from their competition.

Very true, strangely it makes QF the lowest price option for a family at current prices, albeit as a code share on what some might consider a low cost partly owned subsidiary - FJ.

 

[docjames]

a low cost partly owned subsidiary - FJ.

I thought QF is/was divesting their share of FJ?

 

[Jeffrey O'Neill]

I'll play devil's advocate and ask but why should there be a child discount since they are taking up a seat?

2nd the idea of a childless flight after the horror run i had on JQ last trip with the screaming child in the row behind me, and on the way back with the 2 kids in the row in front deciding they needed a good run up and down both isles.

THe only argument I coudl see fo charging children less is the weight factor, but that opens up a whole other can of worms.

 

[markis10]

I think the discount is there to attract families, not because there is any merit in terms of children travelling, one could argue the infant fare is unjust because you are paying for a passenger who is not using the seat or service!

 

[anat0l]

I'll play devil's advocate and ask but why should there be a child discount since they are taking up a seat?

A bit like the reasoning why a child pays half adult bus fare on most public transport systems even though they will need a seat.

2nd the idea of a childless flight after the horror run i had on JQ last trip with the screaming child in the row behind me, and on the way back with the 2 kids in the row in front deciding they needed a good run up and down both isles.

Unfortunately, can't see that happening any time soon. The first carrier to suggest such a policy will be promptly stoned by every family group conceivable and I wouldn't be surprised if they start quoting human rights/equity/discrimination. Of course, then you have to tell them that parents with kids need to keep their rugrats under control, but the counter to that is the parents know that no matter what their kids do, they will not face any legal repercussions for their child's actions and there is nothing that anyone or the crew can do about it!

 

[trooper]

The public transport comparison is not quite valid...

On a childs fare on buses (in Canberra at least - probably universal) there is that little codicil that they must give up their seats to a standing adult...

Honored more in the breach of course!!! :mrgreen:

 

[straitman]

The public transport comparison is not quite valid...

On a childs fare on buses (in Canberra at least - probably universal) there is that little codicil that they must give up their seats to a standing adult...

Honored more in the breach of course!!! :mrgreen:

That could be made to happen on flights also :!: :shock:

 

[Dave Noble]

On a childs fare on buses (in Canberra at least - probably universal) there is that little codicil that they must give up their seats to a standing adult...

Can name one place where it isnt the case to discount it being universal; no such rule applies in London

Dave