Why is QANTAS more expensive

[extracta]

I have just noticed that VAustralia and QF have a flight leaving from Brisbane to ABU DHABI at the same time.

Turns out it is a codeshare with ETIHAD.

I thought I would do some searching to find out what the three airlines charged for the same seat.

For some reason QANTAS is much more expensive, Why?

All fare classes are more expensive and one example is (approx $)

VAustralia $1600

Etihad $1800

Qantas $2400

The flight is on Etihad metal so the expense of having the aircraft serviced in Australia can't be used as an excuse.

Why do QANTAS charge their customers more?

Why do people pay it?

 

[markis10]

People pay for the advantages that QF provide, specifically points and lunge access etc. Having said that the codeshare agreement ends this month, so its doubtful the benefits would be realized. Is it worth it, who knows, its jsut the same as Woolies selling food for 25% more in a supermarket in the next suburb, horses for courses?

I would not be surprised if QF have put the fare up as they dont wont to sell any more seats but are still part of the agreement contractually wise, there is certainly no incentive for them.

 

[Blackadder]

Being the National carrier QF know they will always have that solid marketshare on the routes, so can set the prices higher without eroding the customer base.

 

[NM]

Are the fare conditions the same for each of the fare prices quoted? They may all be economy class, but that does not mean the conditions are the same (i.e. change/cancellation fees etc).

Also QF has to fund their FF points provided to members buying the QF fare. There is little reason to buy the QF fare except to get the QF FF points. So it seems that people are willing to pay more for the fare in order to earn QF FF points. That seems to demonstrate the "success" of QFF as a customer loyalty program.

 

[yohy?!]

Majority of people buying fares ex-AU will support that level of gouging so QF continues to do it even as they continue to reduce their product offering and service standard.

Departing other countries (ex-UK etc) where the market is more discerning/more competitive, prices are much more realistic.

Maybe as more competition comes in and more people wise up to their 'premium' offering things will change.

 

[mannej]

I would tend to agree with Markis as to why the difference in fares. To me it sounds like QF are just playing games on a deal gone sour.

 

[ozimax]

People pay for the advantages that QF provide, specifically points and lunge access etc. .

I love lunging around....

 

[ozimax]

QF like to gouge as many as possible. I say this as a former employee. However, most large companies do the same for the sake of their shareholders, (definitely not their customers).

Having said this, I still continue to (almost exclusively) fly with QF as they are a good airline, IMHO.

 

[markis10]

I love lunging around....

Yes, especially when you can do it anytime rather than having to have a QF flight!

Damn keyboard, mind you that is an accurate description of the activity when the hot food comes out in a QP!

 

[extracta]

Are the fare conditions the same for each of the fare prices quoted? They may all be economy class, but that does not mean the conditions are the same (i.e. change/cancellation fees etc).

Also QF has to fund their FF points provided to members buying the QF fare. There is little reason to buy the QF fare except to get the QF FF points. So it seems that people are willing to pay more for the fare in order to earn QF FF points. That seems to demonstrate the "success" of QFF as a customer loyalty program.

The fare conditions are broadly similar.

The other airlines have frequent flyer programs also, and IMHO better than the QFF program.

I understand the lounge argument as it is nice to sit in a lounge before a flight. In this case $600 is a bit much for a couple of hours in a lounge.

You can also buy an annual lounge pass with Priority Pass which gives acces to a lounge at most airports (unfortunately not Brisbane Int) no matter what airline you are flying.

 

[markis10]

You can also buy an annual lounge pass with Priority Pass which gives acces to a lounge at most airports (unfortunately not Brisbane Int) no matter what airline you are flying.

PP has no international lounge with the exception of UA in Melbourne as far as Australian International goes, which is open 8-11 only when a UA flight is operating.

 

[ozimax]

mind you that is an accurate description of the activity when the hot food comes out in a QP!

If, not when...

 

[ozbeachbabe]

Yes, especially when you can do it anytime rather than having to have a QF flight!

Damn keyboard, mind you that is an accurate description of the activity when the hot food comes out in a QP!

Are you sure the hot food didn't try to post? My keyboard & Coke Zero don't like each other very much.

 

[markis10]

Are you sure the hot food didn't try to post? My keyboard & Coke Zero don't like each other very much.

LOL, I have a thinkpad for that reason, it directs fluid out of the notebook, in theory. Last time I took a Toshiba into the lounge someone made a lunge for it while I was not looking :evil:. Sometimes a light notebook is an easy one to loose.

Now I am off to get the stuck o key fixed !

 

[ozbeachbabe]

I have just noticed that VAustralia and QF have a flight leaving from Brisbane to ABU DHABI at the same time.

Turns out it is a codeshare with ETIHAD.

I thought I would do some searching to find out what the three airlines charged for the same seat.

For some reason QANTAS is much more expensive, Why?

Why do QANTAS charge their customers more?

Why do people pay it?

People pay it because they think "I'd rather pay an extra $600.00 so I'm flying with Qantas" wrongly assuming that a QF flight number = QF metal. :evil:

Codeshares IMHO are sometimes nothing more than legalised misrepresentation of product. To just about everyone, if it's a QF flight number, it's a QF plane. If WP's are caught out not realising it's a codeshare, what hope have the NB's got?

Before too long we'll have 'virtual airlines' that exist on paper only. You'd don't need to have any aeroplanes, just all these codeshare flights operated by other carriers!

 

[straitman]

Before too long we'll have 'virtual airlines' that exist on paper only. You'd don't need to have any aeroplanes, just all these codeshare flights operated by other carriers!

Surprisingly that is part of 'Aviation management 101,' believe it or not.

 

[ButFli]

Is it possible that Qantas are charging a premium on this route to discourage passengers flying into a (soon to be) competitor's hub? There can't be that many people wanting to visit Abu Dhabi - surely the majority will connect to Etihad flights to Europe (or somewhere). Presumably a certain number of passengers are loyal to Qantas. Up the price on the via-Abu Dhabi codeshare and the QF metal flights via SE Asia become more attractive to these people.

 

[HardieBoys]

Fundamentally, if you can't charge a premium in your home market, when can you do so? Look at Cathay.

 

[notzac]

Before too long we'll have 'virtual airlines' that exist on paper only. You'd don't need to have any aeroplanes, just all these codeshare flights operated by other carriers!

Already (mostly) a reality in the regional market in the US .. there are a few carriers that exist solely to provide wet lease service to larger carriers.

Per what others have written, QF are charging more to discourage use. Flying on the VA or EY codes will earn Velocity points, so you can get something of use for your efforts .. and there are definitely more entertaining ways to spend $600, unless you're desperate for a few SCs and a fairly ordinary lounge to sit in pre-flight.

 

[markis10]

PP has no international lounge with the exception of UA in Melbourne as far as Australian International goes, which is open 8-11 only when a UA flight is operating.

I have to correct myself, the UA lounge in melbourne is gone, there are no paid lounges airside at international airports in Australia.