Discussion of fuel dumps

[ProggerPete]

The AB flight in the example is the 3X. The greatest savings can be had when the base fare is low but the surcharges (YQ/YR) are high.

 

[paultiffen]

That's right from my understanding 3x is 3rd strike as in 3rd flight. A low base fare is essential for example Virgin coming out of Aus seem to not have any fuel surcharge on some flights. I have heard of people booking multiple itineraries with one trip at the end and another thing that can happen is that you can add in another carrier in between after the first two so that your 3x becomes a 4x or 5x. The link I had on fare rules has some info about who the ticketing carrier is and I understood a bit more once I tried to apply that.

I think the main reason they are easier ex America for example is that US carriers are not allowed to charge fuel surcharges under a lot of conditions so that these can be dropped. Most of the best deals seem to be ex US or Europe however you can still use it by booking one way on miles for example and then extending the second leg. Although the advice is also to not change your ticket so that the airline doesn't notice or at least not to call them to complain about your seat etc.

I've found a couple ex Aus but the most they save are 300 and the flights are fairly expensive to begin with. A lot of the time round trips seem to be necessary too as otherwise your one way books into full Y

 

[Winston1]

Hi People. First time poster.
I have recently started to take an interest in this (perhaps because it's so mysterious and there's the thrill of finding the perfect combination of flight).
I get the basics of it, but am still a little in the dark how to apply it coming out of Australia (c6 as I understand it).
The way I understand it is that the flights can be structured a>b (then return) b>a, after which the fuel dump comes into it. That seems to be x>y. i.e, it needs to be in a different region (not c6).
Can someone please advise if my understanding is correct, and if so, which regions should I be targeting for my 3X (x>y)?

Many thanks.
And I hope I haven't discussed matters which should remain secret. Happy to edit if I have...

;-)

 

[Burrito]

I have recently started to take an interest in this (perhaps because it's so mysterious and there's the thrill of finding the perfect combination of flight)

Welcome Winston! I can see this as appealing too though I can also see it as time consuming. If it were easy everyone would do it. If there is a significant saving to be made then stick at it.

 

[Aussie_flyer]

YR is more often used for credit card surcharges than fuel surcharges (different airlines do different things of course). For Qantas, SQ, TG and others the fee , around $25 - $30 for international is shown as YR. This fee is usually included when the gds does a fare quote but can be removed by the agent by forcing a YR exempt quote for those paying cash or through the agency.

 

[ProggerPete]

Hi People. First time poster.
I have recently started to take an interest in this (perhaps because it's so mysterious and there's the thrill of finding the perfect combination of flight).
I get the basics of it, but am still a little in the dark how to apply it coming out of Australia (c6 as I understand it).
The way I understand it is that the flights can be structured a>b (then return) b>a, after which the fuel dump comes into it. That seems to be x>y. i.e, it needs to be in a different region (not c6).
Can someone please advise if my understanding is correct, and if so, which regions should I be targeting for my 3X (x>y)?

Many thanks.
And I hope I haven't discussed matters which should remain secret. Happy to edit if I have...

;-)

While returns with a 3X are a fairly common pattern just about anything is possible. You can do a double open jaw with a 3x, i.e : AAA-BBB,CCC-DDD,EEE-FFF.

You can do a 1X instead of a 3X (although you then have to fly it.)

On rare occasions you can get a 3X in the same continent as you fly from or to.

The return with a 3X is most common because it is the most convenient.

 

[paultiffen]

Hi,

The suggestion is basically trial and error for the 3x. Using ITA matrix you pick a random airport and then do all destinations within 300 miles. You then get a long list and use that as your to and from airport for the 3x. Others have suggested that they are going to write code to search every combination. My understanding is that they generally keep working so once you have found one you can keep using it.

Most times for YR I am seeing a more significant surcharge ie 550 that can be reduced. I'm yet to completely drop it ex Aus though

 

[paultiffen]

Ok so I've found a few ex Aus (C6) but no full dumps. I'm not going to name any actual ones so PM me if interested.

On the maple leaf I have one that limits YQ to 250 regardless of the length of the flight
On the red roo I have that halves YQ to 340 as long as you don't exit the US on a city that the roo flies to directly

Most of the good ones I can find are ex USA ie I can find NY->SYD->NY->LHR->NY for 1500 a.i.


Base fares are a bit high to really take advantage right now.

 

[paultiffen]

Also without a return flight a lot of airlines place you into full Y so the base fare becomes higher and wipes out the value.

While returns with a 3X are a fairly common pattern just about anything is possible. You can do a double open jaw with a 3x, i.e : AAA-BBB,CCC-DDD,EEE-FFF.

You can do a 1X instead of a 3X (although you then have to fly it.)

On rare occasions you can get a 3X in the same continent as you fly from or to.

The return with a 3X is most common because it is the most convenient.

 

[Finale]

I asked about the flights before and later found it is called fuel dump but lost interest since I mostly fly to Asia and it cant get any cheaper than br site

Those in EU and US are lucky as there are a lot available for them.

I had a world tour last year but unfortunately I wasnt aware of fuel dump fares that time.

On flyertalk thread, AA made someone pay at the airport or no boarding. If the information is correct, looks like there is some risk involved?

 

[jarredlobo]

Ok so I've found a few ex Aus (C6) but no full dumps. I'm not going to name any actual ones so PM me if interested.

On the maple leaf I have one that limits YQ to 250 regardless of the length of the flight
On the red roo I have that halves YQ to 340 as long as you don't exit the US on a city that the roo flies to directly

Most of the good ones I can find are ex USA ie I can find NY->SYD->NY->LHR->NY for 1500 a.i.


Base fares are a bit high to really take advantage right now.

In the Flyertalk Trick It thread I have seen members give hints/clues.... paultiffen could we have a few hints to get us started?

 

[deejo77]

Paultiffen is giving clues..........the thread on flyer talk took forever to understand but the pineapple run was good

 

[paultiffen]

Hi,

I'm happy to give away stuff but I'd like something in return. Finding a good 3x once you have the idea is just a lot of trial and error so anyone can do it. Also would rather use PM than posting stuff, we all saw what happened to the Westfield XS thread once it got going.

 

[paultiffen]

Also if someone has only one post then happy to communicate by email however would want assurance that you don't work in the industry - maybe a legally binding agreement that I get $1000 if you do

Otherwise I give away a 3x and then you add in a bit of code to reprice better based on specific destinations.

 

[Finale]

Most people can find 3x for LA flights with one try easily if following paultiffen's post #27. Seems pretty easy to get one for that route. lots and lots of 3x..just need to pick one that gives the biggest discount

 

[paultiffen]

That's actually illegal I think in the States for them to add on additional taxes later. I think the person involved was doing it over and over. You are still not much worse off and you do have a legally binding ticket. I believe that there are people that do it consistently and get away with it. I have found a couple on Singapore Airlines but have yet to dump anything significant out of Australia except on AC. You can always use miles for the one way there then book a long way in the future.

I asked about the flights before and later found it is called fuel dump but lost interest since I mostly fly to Asia and it cant get any cheaper than br site

Those in EU and US are lucky as there are a lot available for them.

I had a world tour last year but unfortunately I wasnt aware of fuel dump fares that time.

On flyertalk thread, AA made someone pay at the airport or no boarding. If the information is correct, looks like there is some risk involved?

 

[jarredlobo]

Most people can find 3x for LA flights with one try easily if following paultiffen's post #27. Seems pretty easy to get one for that route. lots and lots of 3x..just need to pick one that gives the biggest discount

It is SUPER easy to 50% dump C1-C6, however, I can't cut any more fat . I think that some people can 100% dump the fuel tax.

paultiffen can you PM me?

 

[paultiffen]

Can you dump on a oneway out or on a return? I can cut 50% or a bit more on AC on a return. Will PM you to see what 3x you are using

 

[jarredlobo]

deleted post

 

[paultiffen]

Hi,

With a lot of these I would just check expedia.com.br first as likely to be better and to get creative with that. However they seem to mainly have a love affair with Qantas so if you want to fly other carriers then this stuff could be helpful. Or if you are wanting to come back on an AA flight number as AA points smoke QF points by a long way due to their great award chart.