ICN-SIN on CX: How to get the price down?

[thewinchester]

I'm looking at flying from ICN to SIN on 19 Nov, and I'm currently getting quoted 818,800 KRW all in (~AUD 750) for the flight in Y on CX's website.

My value judgement may be out of kilter here, but does that price seem right to you and is there anything you know of to get that price down further? I say this because the same route with just as many options is flown by SQ who are quoting around 617,700 KRW (~AUD 560) all in.

If anyone is thinking of other options, I'm preferring to stick to a Oneworld carrier, as I'd like the SC's for QFF account to make PS for the first time ever (I'm so close this year it's not funny, going to make some effort).

 

[Mal]

My suggestion:

Look into using QF points. You'd need to call up QF as I don't think CX are back on the booking engine, but overall I think you'll save a heap. I think that price is stupid to pay, even if it does get you much closer to Silver.

 

[oz_mark]

I think you've hit the old 'one way is more expensive than return' trick. But also keep in mind the lower fare classes on CX may not yield any SC's.

 

[markis10]

CX only sell full Y on the one way flights, for 200000 extra you can get a J return or 577500 in Y return.

 

[Mal]

I think you've hit the old 'one way is more expensive than return' trick. But also keep in mind the lower fare classes on CX may not yield any SC's.

A lot of Asia-Asia flights on CX are disproportionately expensive, even as returns. But in this case, the one way is only offered by CX in Y bucket. $780 for 80 sc's just doesn't rate it for me.

Booking a return and throwing away the 2nd flight does of course bring it down by $200 or more, but like you've commented there are risks with earning (although V class which seems to be offered around $550 return does earn with QF in Discount Econ). Again though, $550 for 40 sc's doesn't make that much sense to me.

Either way, I don't think there are any other OW options that would make sense (Jal probably fly to NRT, but the $$ would be too high IMHO), and pricing One Ways ICN-HKG / HKG-SIN with CX would show even higher prices.

Generally when needing one way trips in Asia, I'll try and use points. Even some return routes I choose to use points for as well for similar reasons.

 

[thewinchester]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions, they've greatly appreciated.

Sadly Mal, my lightweight points balance was used up and wasted on other things this year.

Only have 21k in the bank right now, recently used 36k as part of a YASA P+P from PER-SYD-NRT. Also used 24k on ODU's from Y- to J on PER-MEL and MEL-CBR this year to treat myself - they would be handy right now and regretting the lack of forward planning.

Also not a credit card man at all due to a bad rating (long story, not my fault thankfully) so going down that road of applying for new cards, scoring bonuses and changing how I spend isn't an option I can avail myself of at this juncture.

The Economy fare from CX is Full Y fare (Economy Flex) as noted by markis10 that they only offer Full Y on one-way fares. His suggestion of looking at J has yielded something which to me seems like a better value proposition over a Y ticket.

It's about 250,000 KRW (~AUD 250) extra to book in J instead of Y, and the new fare would return 180SC for ~AUD 1,070 instead of 80. This, to me at least, seems like a better return (~10.79/SC and 0.24/point after cabin bonus applied) and also means I have a slightly more comfortable flight plus access to the lounges at ICN and HKG.

If this prompts any more thoughts or ideas, would love to hear them. Otherwise, many thanks again for those already provided.

 

[Happy Trails]

I'd suggest waiting a month or so before booking.
I've found that CX prices can fluctuate significantly from one week to the next, for no apparent reason. And they're not likely to go much higher in this instance.