What is happening with Premium fares?

[aaronm]

Is there a reason why Premium fares seem to have jumped 50% since last year?

My last few MEL-LAX trips (via BNE) were around the $2400-2700 mark, cheapest I can find for similar dates this year is $3700 (premium saver). J for same flights is only $5300, Y saver comes in at $1200 so no big change there either. Playing around with the dates doesn't seem to make much difference.

Has something special happened to the Y+ cabin that I'm not aware of?

 

[Jousams]

I think the number of Y+ seats is being reduced with cabin refits this year. Not 100% sure though

 

[robd]

Is there a reason why Premium fares seem to have jumped 50% since last year?

My last few MEL-LAX trips (via BNE) were around the $2400-2700 mark, cheapest I can find for similar dates this year is $3700 (premium saver). J for same flights is only $5300, Y saver comes in at $1200 so no big change there either. Playing around with the dates doesn't seem to make much difference.

Has something special happened to the Y+ cabin that I'm not aware of?

$3,700 for PE? - no way, no how :shock: Best you buy an extra Y seat.

 

[frequentflyer91]

I think the number of Y+ seats is being reduced with cabin refits this year. Not 100% sure though

That's a bummer.. Seems like Y+ are really the only readily available upgrades on SYD/BNE - LAX trips (when I just checked from now to around mid August)

 

[williamsf1]

Is there a reason why Premium fares seem to have jumped 50% since last year?

My last few MEL-LAX trips (via BNE) were around the $2400-2700 mark, cheapest I can find for similar dates this year is $3700 (premium saver). J for same flights is only $5300, Y saver comes in at $1200 so no big change there either. Playing around with the dates doesn't seem to make much difference.

Has something special happened to the Y+ cabin that I'm not aware of?

There has been a number of happy hour specials past few weeks around the $2500 level ..... check each Thursday

 

[robd]

That's a bummer.. Seems like Y+ are really the only readily available upgrades on SYD/BNE - LAX trips (when I just checked from now to around mid August)

What do you mean? As a VA Plat, you can upgrade from Flexi Y.

 

[iambents]

What do you mean? As a VA Plat, you can upgrade from Flexi Y.

Only if there is an award seat available to book into. I think bendennis is indicating that all the J awards are gone and the only options for upgrade are into the W cabin.

These days you really need to forward plan if you want to book or upgrade on points - the award seats are taken up quite quickly.

 

[ZiggyJJ]

These days you really need to forward plan if you want to book or upgrade on points - the award seats are taken up quite quickly.

Tried this today upgrading on points from Y+ to J and no availability for the travel period (10-13 weeks away). Rang Gold line and they said to check in every week in case more open up closer to departure. What time frame would you need to grab them? 6+ months?

 

[iambents]

Tried this today upgrading on points from Y+ to J and no availability for the travel period (10-13 weeks away). Rang Gold line and they said to check in every week in case more open up closer to departure. What time frame would you need to grab them? 6+ months?

In my experience for SYD-LAX you'll probably need to look even further out. There always seems to be more availability BNE-LAX; so its always worth looking at your options for going via BNE if thats an option for your travel.

 

[kaelo]

My experience is that J award availability on the SYD/BNE-LAX route is actually pretty good. I'm 5/5 with getting the dates I wanted and thats booking 2-4 months out.

 

[iambents]

You must be lucky kaelo - I usually need to look a bit further out (particularly to ensure you get there and back) - luckily my travel is usually fairly predictable.

I just did a quick search. There are only 3 days between now and Christmas with a J award seat SYD-LAX.

BNE-LAX is the sweet spot (if you can call it that). There are 6 days in the next four months; and then at about 5+ months there are several days each week (until you get into the holiday period). So for anything under 6 months, you need to make sure you check BNE-LAX.

That said - there is a J award tomorrow BNE-LAX - so clearly they do appear last minute.

 

[jpk]

$2700 in happy hour this week - seems to be the time to book these...
Apart from that, VA have been pushing up fares in most cabins and routes this year.