Qantas Reduces YQ Fee, and EK Increases their YQ Fee for FF Awards-

[Mattg]

Re: Fuel Surcharge Change - QF/EK

I'm totally with you on this.

Their pricing gurus will see it like this: if you're paying for a premium cabin, price isn't the reason you're there - so we can charge you more.
Additionally, they'll justify it like this: business/first class seats are heavier, and therefore have an increased effect on fuel burn to fill that seat.

The whole fuel surcharge thing makes me ****ing sick.

I don't think they can reasonably argue that fuel consumption increases to the extent their prices do for business/first passengers. Perhaps the seats are slightly heavier and there is a slightly higher baggage allowance, but that certainly doesn't justify such large price differences. Clearly this is no longer a "fuel surcharge" and I think it's completely misleading to continue calling it as such.

 

[froggerADL]

Re: Fuel Surcharge Change - QF/EK

I don't understand how fuel prices can be more expensive for someone in business/first than for someone in economy! Doesn't everyone have an equal share in fuel consumption?

I would have thought the fuel surcharge for a J or F seat would be a lot more, just like the fare component. If a J seat take up 3 time more space than a Y seat then you have 3 times as much aircraft to fly around for each seat.

 

[dajop]

Re: Fuel Surcharge Change - QF/EK

I would have thought the fuel surcharge for a J or F seat would be a lot more, just like the fare component. If a J seat take up 3 time more space than a Y seat then you have 3 times as much aircraft to fly around for each seat.

This is probably reasonably accurate. SQ fly 100 passengers around in an A340-500 in business class, and the fuel used to carry the weight of the aircraft is obviously going to more (per passenger) than an identical aircraft fitted with 250 seats in a J/Y config. So basically higher fuel surcharge on J/F pax is saying you're using more real estate on the plane, so pay higher surcharge.

Now what is beyond belief is that a fuel surcharge from Sydney-Dubai is < Sydney - Singapore, given that you have to carry fuel to carry fuel on long hauls like that. Or is the A380 more than twice as efficient per passenger than an A330?

 

[YQY]

Re: Fuel Surcharge Change - QF/EK

Isn't this price collusion?

 

[Mattg]

Re: Fuel Surcharge Change - QF/EK

I would have thought the fuel surcharge for a J or F seat would be a lot more, just like the fare component. If a J seat take up 3 time more space than a Y seat then you have 3 times as much aircraft to fly around for each seat.

Yes, it does take up more space, but this is paid for in the price of the ticket or the extra points which have to be paid to get the seat as an award. Having to pay an additional "fuel surcharge" is just a double whammy.

 

[IGetAround]

Re: Fuel Surcharge Change - QF/EK

Isn't this price collusion?

Yes. Price-fixing a "restrictive trade practice" and it is illegal to engage in a restrictive trade practice under the Competition and Consumer Act. However, companies are allowed to engage in conduct that is a restrictive trade practice if it has been "authorised" by the ACCC. The lengthy approval process that ran until March was the to obtain that authorisation. Forgive the geekery.

Less savings going via Brazil bookings now LOL

That was also the first thing I thought when I heard the news

 

[Aussie_flyer]

Re: Fuel Surcharge Change - QF/EK

Isn't this price collusion?

They have government approval....

 

[JohnK]

That is already been discussed here.

 

[Spizz]

Ah. Thanks for the link.

 

[Nizar]

Qantas "slashes" fuel surcharges

Qantas slashes fuel surcharges to close loophole

About time too.

 

[RooFlyer]

Re: Qantas "slashes" fuel surcharges

And already discussed in this thread http://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/community/qantas-frequent-flyer-program/fuel-surcharge-change-qf-ek-51300.html

 

[Nizar]

Re: Qantas "slashes" fuel surcharges

And already discussed in this thread http://www.australianfrequentflyer....rogram/fuel-surcharge-change-qf-ek-51300.html

Ooops

 

[grubbidok]

Re: Qantas, Emirates close fuel surcharges loophole for frequent flyers

The good news is that Qantas fuel surcharges will drop, so at least that is something to smile about!

What, from outright fleecing of its loyal customers to merely exorbitant? Better, but hardly something that's going to bring back the people the EK move already p**sed off

 

[aikman]

Re: Qantas, Emirates close fuel surcharges loophole for frequent flyers

Would you say that EK have been thinking about raising their surcharges for some time, independent of fixing the QFF ‘loophole’? QF reducing surcharges on only 8 daily flights (2 x LHR and 6 x BKK/SIN) hardly seems like a fair trade to EK agreeing to increase surcharges across what is probably hundreds of daily flights across its network.

 

[TheEmu]

Re: Fuel Surcharge Change - QF/EK

Ditto. The fuel surcharge was intended as a short-term measure to handle skyrocketing fuel prices after certain wars in certain countries. It's become a long-term price gouge, and governments world-wide don't have the nads to force its repeal now that oil prices have stabilised.

I don't think government 'nads' has anything to do with it (in Australia, at least) - I don't know how the taxing of commercial jet fuel differs from that on domestic-consumption unleaded and diesel but if it is at all similar, it's a massive cash cow for them. Money for jam - they ain't do anything to jeopardise their take!

 

[infinity]

Qantas reducing Fuel Surcharges through Dubai after 1/7/13

Ticketed a F classic award last night from LHR SYD on QF2
Agent advised they were reducing the fuel surcharges after 1/7/13 to better align with EK pricing
Would have saved me $'00's
Anyone else seeing/heard this?

 

[oz_mark]

Re: Qantas reducing Fuel Surcharges through Dubai after 1/7/13

Ticketed a F classic award last night from LHR SYD on QF2
Agent advised they were reducing the fuel surcharges after 1/7/13 to better align with EK pricing
Would have saved me $'00's
Anyone else seeing/heard this?

Didn't think fuel surcharges in F were changing.