Cartel pricing CX/SQ?

[simongr]

Hi all
Just doing some dummy bookings in J HKG-SIN for part of my RTW trip next year. JUst checking SQ and CX both priced at exactly the same amount HKD18,786 - does this not seem slightly fishy to anyone.
Obvioulsy if it stays this way then I will bok SQ given the better seating onboard (although no F lounge access at the Wing/Pier could change that decision).
Is this normal? I do not book many point-to-point airfares so have not come across this previously.
S

 

[Dave Noble]

Hi all
Just doing some dummy bookings in J HKG-SIN for part of my RTW trip next year. JUst checking SQ and CX both priced at exactly the same amount HKD18,786 - does this not seem slightly fishy to anyone.

Seems pretty normal to me.

Dave

 

[serfty]

You will find First Class will be v. similar as well.

Hmmm:

- HKD 18,381.00 per PAX (base 17,920.00) for First Class return in April on CX & SQ.

Are those return or one-way fares? For one PAX or two?

 

[NM]

and the airlines will tell you that they are "matching" the other's price due to "competition" on the route. I guess this is like the way all petrol stations in an area advertise the same price for their product.

 

[simongr]

You will find First Class will be v. similar as well.

Hmmm:

- HKD 18,381.00 per PAX (base 17,920.00) for First Class return in April on CX & SQ.

Are those return or one-way fares? For one PAX or two?

My price was one-way for two pax in J. Now if you have a cheaper option we might need to talk after Xmas

 

[serfty]

Nah, one way it's HKD11,003 per PAX in F.

 

[Dave Noble]

and the airlines will tell you that they are "matching" the other's price due to "competition" on the route. I guess this is like the way all petrol stations in an area advertise the same price for their product.

Not even that. They are just charging the YY fare it would seem

Dave

 

[serfty]

Hmm, it's more than that; Expert Flyer shows a CX fare as F with a base cost of HKD10730, the online booking shows the base cost at HKD10770 - the HKD40 difference I guess reflects the tax situation that also shows a ticket cost of $6 on Qantas award bookings ex HKG.

The YY fare showing on E/F is less at 10440 for FOW.

 

[simongr]

Do CX have an F product on that route?

 

[Dave Noble]

Do CX have an F product on that route?

some flights do I believe

Dave

 

[simongr]

I was convinced that there wasnt F - I assume that F means non-regional 777 config? That would be a deal maker for the CX flight if I could get on in J as we could then use teh F lounge

 

[Dave Noble]

I was convinced that there wasnt F - I assume that F means non-regional 777 config? That would be a deal maker for the CX flight if I could get on in J as we could then use teh F lounge

I can see 1 x 744 flight listed in the timetable for today. The others are 773/777/330 which would appear to be 2 class. What time of day do you want to travel?


Dave

 

[simongr]

We have a 7:45Pm flight out of SIN on BA. Options are either early flight out and then duck into SIN for a sling at Raffles or later flight and stay at the airport.

Looking at EF, CX 739 is showing as F4 A4 C9 J9 and a 77A. For the sake of a few hundred dollars I would be very tempted by F... this would be a trip of her life for mrssimongr - but might set the standard a little high for the future...

 

[NM]

I can see 1 x 744 flight listed in the timetable for today. The others are 773/777/330 which would appear to be 2 class. What time of day do you want to travel?

The 744 flight (CX713) is routed via BKK, so makes for a long way to get from HKG to SIN.

Its only a 3 hour flight, so surely you can cope with a CX or SQ regional J product for that leg? Even I managed it on a CX 777.

 

[simongr]

Its more that if I can get a better product for the same flight I would like to treat mrssimongr to the best we can get.

 

[serfty]

Look for equipment 77A (777-300) operating CX735 and CX739 or 744 operating CX713 in the schedules; they generally sell first class on these flight.

Note the 744 - CX713 is the one routed via BKK.