Flights are more expensive than ever

[eastwest101]

Will try again:

 

[ozstamps]

Today was looking to fly to ADL Feb 8 and $355 each way is the only direct flight on and around those days.

$700+? Forgedd it.

 

[AIRwin]

Today was looking to fly to ADL Feb 8 and $355 each way is the only direct flight on and around those days.

$700+? Forgedd it.

Why fly direct when you can connect for less?

 

[ozstamps]

Why fly direct when you can connect for less?

OMG.

Because I am busy, and do not have hours to sit around in lounges for no reason these days with the basic fare on hand in them, and double my COVID risk, as I am in a high risk category.

9.15am is a useful time - the price is not.

Getting extra SC these days is TOTALLY meaningless. This is not 2019 where there was some benefit. My Plat is locked in for another year or so already.

Thanks for your very valuable suggestion though. I can read schedules.

 

[AIRwin]

Because I am busy, and do not have hours to sit around in lounges for no reason these days with the basic fare on hand in them, and double my COVID risk, as I am in a high risk category.

You should value your time/life at greater than $700 then...

 

[zenyattamondatta]

OMG.

Because I am busy, and do not have hours to sit around in lounges for no reason these days with the basic fare on hand in them, and double my COVID risk, as I am in a high risk category.

9.15am is a useful time - the price is not.

Getting extra SC these days is TOTALLY meaningless. This is not 2019 where there was some benefit. My Plat is locked in for another year or so already.

Thanks for your very valuable suggestion though. I can read schedules.

So *your* reality has changed because of COVID-19, but airlines should just be expected to keep charging the same prices no matter how they've been affected?

OMG.

 

[eastwest101]

Why fly direct when you can connect for less?

Must be something really weird going on with VA, or its booking engin,e on that day, admittedly they do only have one direct flight a day SYD-ADL. I thought there must be something going on in Adelaide to explain those fares but look at what the QF fares are like?


Fairly cheap and a massive discrepency in fares between VA and QF. Maybe everyone is burning up their VA flight credits?

But I agree with the OP - why fly through MEL and have a chance at a mis-connect, and then an enforced 14 day quarrantine holiday at your cost in a hotel room just because some state premier gets out of the wrong side of the bed at some point in the future? No thanks - I have a life and value my time/freedom as well.

 

[AIRwin]

Must be something really weird going on with VA, or its booking engin,e on that day, admittedly they do only have one direct flight a day SYD-ADL.

Looks like fares are only $109 once VA starts ramping up flights between SYD and ADL to 4x daily starting 15 February...

 

[Mattg]

Looks like fares are only $109 once VA starts ramping up flights between SYD and ADL to 4x daily starting 15 February...

If VA has cut back SYD-ADL to 1x daily prior to 15 February, could it be that they were previously selling 4 daily flights prior to that date as well but recently cancelled 3 of the 4 flights, pushing everyone who had purchased a ticket to ADL onto the 1 flight and thus filling it up, pushing up the price of new tickets?

 

[dk4]

I have noticed, anecdotally, that sometimes after looking at the same flight a few different times without booking (using the same internet browser) the price increases. So its also possible the new owners may have introduced some dynamic trickery into their pricing tactics?

 

[Happy Dude]

I have noticed, anecdotally, that sometimes after looking at the same flight a few different times without booking (using the same internet browser) the price increases. So its also possible the new owners may have introduced some dynamic trickery into their pricing tactics?

Yes all that's missing is the "xx people are looking at this fare right now!!" to amp up your FOMO.

 

[jakeseven7]

If VA has cut back SYD-ADL to 1x daily prior to 15 February, could it be that they were previously selling 4 daily flights prior to that date as well but recently cancelled 3 of the 4 flights, pushing everyone who had purchased a ticket to ADL onto the 1 flight and thus filling it up, pushing up the price of new tickets?

We have had a lot of issues with my work and VA putting in fake / optimistic schedules only a couple of weeks out then consolidating and cancelling the night before. It was part of the reason we have moved a majority of flying away from them despite the money they owe us.

To be fair we had the same with JQ for a while but QF and JQ seen to have more stable schedules and more reliable to fly, perhaps carrying more freight than VA?

 

[Mattg]

I have noticed, anecdotally, that sometimes after looking at the same flight a few different times without booking (using the same internet browser) the price increases. So its also possible the new owners may have introduced some dynamic trickery into their pricing tactics?

FWIW, I'm seeing a fare of $149 for the 9.15am SYD-ADL flight on 8 February.

 

[AIRwin]

FWIW, I'm seeing a fare of $149 for the 9.15am SYD-ADL flight on 8 February.

@ozstamps your wish came true... Happy flying!

 

[TiredOldFlyer]

Interesting and in some ways understandable.
But I have a question - has anyone done a comparison
re reward flights? Domestic and or International.

 

[ozstamps]

If VA has cut back SYD-ADL to 1x daily prior to 15 February, could it be that they were previously selling 4 daily flights prior to that date as well but recently cancelled 3 of the 4 flights, pushing everyone who had purchased a ticket to ADL onto the 1 flight and thus filling it up, pushing up the price of new tickets?

Yes this must have been the issue with the $700+ a person, once a day only direct flights that I and others could see last night SYD-ADEL-SYD for early Feb.

Booked a week after which was not ideal, but was affordable.

Thanks to those here for the heads up now the SA Premier has in his wisdom decided we are now not diseased again, and has once again allowed visitors (as of now!) and Virgin quickly added direct flights today.

So just phoned Plat line to change them over, and pay the extra, and lovely agent asked "would you like to complimentary upgrade those 4 flights to Business?"

Nervously I replied YES, and was allocated row #1 both directions. Very nice. With no ADL lounge, and no arrival access permitted in SYD it appears, a plastic cup of wine is better than water or juice.

 

[AIRwin]

Very nice. With no ADL lounge, and no arrival access permitted in SYD it appears, a plastic cup of wine is better than water or juice.

Happy to hear the @ozstamps of approval!

 

[serfty]

a plastic cup of wine is better than water or juice.

Wine was served in glass on my CBR-MEL flight last month ...

.... and with enthusiasm ... could have had three refills on the 40 minute flight but I declined the last.

 

[Milefest]

Nervously I replied YES, and was allocated row #1 both directions. Very nice. With no ADL lounge, and no arrival access permitted in SYD it appears, a plastic cup of wine is better than water or juice.

No arrivals access in SYD? Is that new?

 

[ozstamps]

No arrivals access in SYD? Is that new?

We were denied access in SYD - 2 Plats in latter December, on incoming Virgin Flight.

From what I read elsewhere it is nationwide policy now, but of course eligible members have never been told of this new fine tune of a published benefit.

Who would know what policy is, from week to week.

I am asking that they load a couple of packs of Fantastic Noodles to enhance our Biz experience. Hot water is I hope still possible on board, after the cost cutting.