What just happened to the pricing?

[Mania]

A few days ago Virgin was doing PER<->MEL in May for $386 or so (Saver Lite), a price I thought was pretty typical when not booking at short notice. If it was a sale, I didn't see it advertised.

Now the exact same flights are $496, just a few dollars cheaper than Qantas for virtually any dates you choose (month before/month later).

Is this kind of fluctuation typical, or is it a sign of new pricing? Should I hold on on booking? Because at that kind of pricing it's really quite hard to go pass Tiger's $238 return..

 

[calroth]

A few days ago Virgin was doing PER<->MEL in May for $386 or so (Saver Lite), a price I thought was pretty typical when not booking at short notice. If it was a sale, I didn't see it advertised.

I think it may have been a sale... I was browsing through the "View Best Fares" pages a few nights ago, and I vaguely remember an "on sale until midnight 19th March" notice for some. If anyone has better memory than I do, please confirm/deny...

 

[Mania]

That makes sense, thank you. Virgin does seem to be the Dell of the flight world to me - without the right sales period or coupon codes you don't get such a good deal. I'll wait for now, see what comes up.

 

[Mania]

4 days later the flights are now $348 return, down from $496.

Sale ends 26th. Virgin's volatility's a bit annoying, but booking now anyway. Guess the key is just to never purchase off-sale if you can help it..