How long do you think the international business sale will last?

[Paddingtontraveller]

I'm planning to book two return business class fares from Sydney to NYC for next May. I was wondering whether I should book now, while there are business class sale fares available. I'd rather not book now, but I don't have any feel for how long the discounted fares are likely to be available. Does anyone have any idea whether it would be better to book now, or should it be safe to wait a while?

 

[oz74]

I know there was a companion sale in January this year.

Wife and I booked our J fares to NYC for Christmas.

Past no guarantee for future though.

 

[eddie 73]

I have been stung twice recently. Booked MEL-HKG J return back in Jan this year (i think) for travel during October 2014. Paid 3.8K which seemed a bargain, but turns out it is the old 333's just before refurbishment begins. A few months back, the same class and dates were up for 3.5K. Could have waited a few months, kept my cash working for me - not for qf - and saved 300 bucks. Worse still, had exactly the same scenario for my next J trip MEL-HKG return, April 2015, but a 200 difference. I would love to know the sweet spot for advance bookings, as each time i think i have a decent price, a better sale follows a few months later. Doesn't feel a fair deal at all. Enhanced again!

 

[Mattg]

Waiting for another sale is more or less like gambling. Sometimes you'll get a better deal later, sometimes not. There doesn't seem to be an obvious pattern for sales, but sales in business or not that common (compared to economy sales, anyway). IMHO, if you have found a flight you want, at a price you're happy with, you might as well just book it now.

 

[ShaneN]

Walking for another sale is more or less like gambling. Sometimes you'll get a better deal later, sometimes not. There doesn't seem to be an obvious pattern for sales, but sales in business or not that common (compared to economy sales, anyway). IMHO, if you have found a flight you want, at a price you're happy with, you might as well just book it now.

Then do not check prices again. You will only regret it if there are cheaper prices later.

Usual rules are that the earlier the cheaper. However Qantas and all airlines may discount fares for a number of reasons, including a slow period for bookings. Such things are not predictable.

 

[Pushka]

A price difference of $2-$300 on an international flight is pretty negligible and I certainly wouldn't stress about it.

 

[Spongbob]

If you think the current sale price is a good deal, book it. If there is a lower price closer to your travel date, you may not be able to get the days / flights you prefer.

 

[OATEK]

If you think the current sale price is a good deal, book it. If there is a lower price closer to your travel date, you may not be able to get the days / flights you prefer.

This is an important point. It has been noted on various threads that you can see a sale price for the period you want, but when you try a booking for specific dates a higher fare applies to those dates. This is particularly so for the busiest days (eg Fri-Mon). So even if a lower fare is advertised later, there is no guarantee you will get it for the dates you need.

 

[davec]

If the money is better off doing something else then I would just wait - QF almost invariably are having regular sales these days so you just need to hang 5 and another will come around. But as others have said you may not be able to get your exact dates if you wait ....

 

[Flying mermaid]

I always book with sales and book way in advance. Think the advice not to check fares once you book is good, but I have never been able to do it. On the whole I haven't seen cheaper prices later. Hong Kong was the exception - booked a F sale at what I thought was a very good price, but a sale a few months before we went was much cheaper. About to go F to Nairobi using Qantas codeshare that I booked on a sale last October and haven't seen that any cheaper - not even in a companion sale. It depends how you are going to fund it though - if you are going to put the fares on a credit card and pay interest because you don't have the funds yet, I would suggest rather waiting, as there is bound to be another sale.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Another example of just how much Best Flights is missed - if it were still in existence you could clearly see start / finish date of this promo - and all other F & J fare promos - I do miss you Best Flights!

 

[funnymummy]

i second that- the demise of best flights have really put a dent in my dreams

Another example of just how much Best Flights is missed - if it were still in existence you could clearly see start / finish date of this promo - and all other F & J fare promos - I do miss you Best Flights!

 

[JohnK]

A price difference of $2-$300 on an international flight is pretty negligible and I certainly wouldn't stress about it.

Business class?

If I can get a flight for ~$700 and then had to pay $1000 for the same flight that is a huge difference. I guess it is all relative.