Does Rex ever have sales?

[Mattg]

I've been looking at a few flights on Rex (Regional Express) but every time I do, the fares seem quite excessive. Does anyone know if Rex ever has sales? Or should I just book now?

 

[CaviAck]

For the last 4 months that I've been looking at REX flights, I haven't seen a single sale. (I might just not be looking hard enough though as most of my travel is booked a week or two in advance).

 

[jb747]

Where are you trying to fly? I use Rex a lot, and there's generally a range of seat prices, but the cheaper ones obviously disappear first. There's no economy of scale in an operation like Rex (and that probably also applies to the QF and Virgin regionals), so their ticket prices don't compare well with the larger airline flights on trunk routes.

 

[Mattg]

Where are you trying to fly? I use Rex a lot, and there's generally a range of seat prices, but the cheaper ones obviously disappear first. There's no economy of scale in an operation like Rex (and that probably also applies to the QF and Virgin regionals), so their ticket prices don't compare well with the larger airline flights on trunk routes.

The main route I'm looking at is BHQ-MQL. It's shorter than SYD-CBR but the lowest price I can find around my dates is $158.90. I guess that's not too bad in the grand scheme of things. (Of course, if I try to book online it adds up to $162.40... maybe I should pay in cash when I pass through SYD on Thursday just to make a point about their silly "internet booking surcharge"?)

 

[Aussie_flyer]

No bargains to be had usually on routes where they have no competition.

 

[CaviAck]

The main route I'm looking at is BHQ-MQL. It's shorter than SYD-CBR but the lowest price I can find around my dates is $158.90. I guess that's not too bad in the grand scheme of things. (Of course, if I try to book online it adds up to $162.40... maybe I should pay in cash when I pass through SYD on Thursday just to make a point about their silly "internet booking surcharge"?)

I deliberately drive out to the airport in ABX and pay to not pay the online booking fee and ridiculous AMEX fee. I know my time spent and fuel burnt is more than the amount saved but damn it the principle!

 

[Mattg]

I deliberately drive out to the airport in ABX and pay to not pay the online booking fee and ridiculous AMEX fee. I know my time spent and fuel burnt is more than the amount saved but damn it the principle!

I think I will do this when I next pass through SYD. Do you pay in cash, and do they have change available?

 

[CaviAck]

I think I will do this when I next pass through SYD. Do you pay in cash, and do they have change available?

I pay with my AMEX, there are no fees when paying with CC at the airport. I didn't ask about cash, sorry.

 

[Mattg]

I pay with my AMEX, there are no fees when paying with CC at the airport. I didn't ask about cash, sorry.

No problem, I would rather pay by card anyway. I just thought that the credit card surcharge (but not the internet booking surcharge) also applied to airport payments. If that's not the case then I'll definitely not bother with cash.

Having said that, I'm tempted to rock up at the airport with a bag of 5 cent coins.

 

[CaviAck]

No problem, I would rather pay by card anyway. I just thought that the credit card surcharge (but not the internet booking surcharge) also applied to airport payments. If that's not the case then I'll definitely not bother with cash.

Having said that, I'm tempted to rock up at the airport with a bag of 5 cent coins.

Definitely no CC surcharge at the airport, I've done it 3 times at ABX and once in TSV now. As for the 5c coints, there's only so many before they're no longer considered legal tender and they have the right to refuse it as payment.

 

[mannej]

No problem, I would rather pay by card anyway. I just thought that the credit card surcharge (but not the internet booking surcharge) also applied to airport payments. If that's not the case then I'll definitely not bother with cash.

Having said that, I'm tempted to rock up at the airport with a bag of 5 cent coins.

Definitely no CC surcharge at the airport, I've done it 3 times at ABX and once in TSV now. As for the 5c coints, there's only so many before they're no longer considered legal tender and they have the right to refuse it as payment.

By law they only have to accept up to a certain amount in shrapnel and can reject any coins over that point.

 

[williamsf1]

By law they only have to accept up to a certain amount in shrapnel and can reject any coins over that point.

• not exceeding 20c if 1c and/or 2c coins are offered (these coins have been withdrawn from circulation, but are still legal tender);
• not exceeding $5 if any combination of 5c, 10c, 20c and 50c coins are offered; and
• not exceeding 10 times the face value of the coin if $1 or $2 coins are offered.

 

[Quickstatus]

Have not seen Rex sales. Their business model is to minimise spending on marketing. They would rather accordingvto CEO keep their fares competitive. What marketing do you need when Rex consistently have fares lower than QF.?.
Rex operates to airfields where they have a monopoly, regulated fares, 1 or 2 competitor. If they did specials everyone knows to look at the competitor fares (if any). If they are generally always cheaper what's the point?.
Tonight I booked WGA-SYD return for mid June. WGA-SYD was ZL $153 QF $286. SYD-WGA was $153 vs $160. So I booked ZL out and QF back in. The cheapest fare on this route is $153
Note ZL $153 is net of charges - advertised is $149.
For an extra $7 I get 800 FF points with QF.
Also paying via QF gift vouchers mean no QF CC surcharge.
ZL and QF are the only 2 on the WGA-SYD routes. ZL have a monopoly on the WGA-MEL route but the prices are still about the same as the SYD route. VA does not compete in WGA

.........

Parking WGA is interesting
Standard parking inside boomgate is $12/day and $60/week. However if you drop the key off with your details after parking inside boomgate then it becomes a valet at $7.50/day inclusive. You don't pay the $12/day.
The reason for this is the carpark at WGA is small and if they can move your vehicle to a separate secure lockup area you only pay $7.50/day. They move the car from boomgate parking area and back according to your itinerary you give them. If you are delayed it's still $7.50/day
Cab fare from Charles Sturt Uni is $100 return so any trip less than 13 days parking it's preferable to park at airport.

 

[drron]

Flying for work I have had to use Rex a lot.There fares have never been on sale over the last 10 years as far as I remember.It is better to book in advance as the cheaper fares sell out.In September we are flying to Kangaroo Island on Rex.The flight takes 30 minutes for a 125Km distance.Yet that flight is more expensive than flying QF ADL-SYD-MCY.That was booking 5 months out.
When working in Tasmania flights and a rental car are provided for short term contracts.The QF flight into DPO is usually half the price of Rex flights into BWT,Rental cars tend to be a little cheaper at DPO.Yet when working in Burnie they insist I use Rex.

 

[JohnK]

The cheapest fare on this route is $153

Qantaslink sales aren't suitable?

 

[oz_mark]

Sales are generally an attempt to drive demand. If they're selling seats without discounting, they don't really need to do it......

 

[Quickstatus]

Qantaslink sales aren't suitable?

Too far ahead in time to be of any use.

 

[CaviAck]

Qantaslink sales aren't suitable?

Too far ahead in time to be of any use.

Does QF even have sales on SYD-WGA? Cause I don't think I've ever seen QF put ABX-SYD on sale. And I don't think they need to either, Sunday night and SYD-ABX is constantly $500+!

 

[Quickstatus]

I've seen QF specials for the SYD/ABX pairs but not WGA. But these "specials" really are not specials.
Imagine gong into Woolies and specials are posted but with a little fine print disclaimer that the specials will be in 4-6 months time and you must buy the future dated product now to get the special.

The ACCC has let this go too long.
But back to Rex: their prices and load factors are such that you can often still get the cheapest fare bucket 2 weeks out.

 

[JohnK]

Too far ahead in time to be of any use.

You're uncertain of your plans? That makes it difficult.

I booked BNE-SYD through to February 2018 missing a few flights only. That was $116 and some $106. I took a chance. Got some good deals for Christmas/New Year. Now QF has February/March on sale for $99.