LHR-RGN in J: when to book?
Dec 5, 2014, 5:53 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: San Miguel de Allende Mex
Programs: BAEC Silver
Posts: 352
LHR-RGN in J: when to book?
I am flying from London to Yangon and back in November 2015 and am looking at Qatar Airways business class. Is it too early to book for best price, or can I rely on the fare coming down or a sale in the next few months? Does the usual rule of book three months ahead apply with this airline? Thanks.
Dec 5, 2014, 3:34 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2007
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 12,046
My Mum and Dad took a holiday to Burma earlier this year and were faced with precisely the same dilemma. For peace of mind, they decided to book a package through a travel agent approximately six months ahead of travel, even though there may have been the possibility of a saving by waiting later.
Following their booking I monitored the fares out of interest. As it turned out, there would have been no particularly good time to buy. Burma is probably a high willingness to pay market due to it's particularly unique character and relatively closed status. Furthermore, QR does not deploy a large amount of capacity.
There were some promotions in business class, including 241, but by the time they materialised all the sale-applicable fare buckets for the days they needed to travel were closed.
All that said, you are looking at flights nearly a year ahead. I doubt that you would lose out by waiting another six months to see if anything favourable happens.
Following their booking I monitored the fares out of interest. As it turned out, there would have been no particularly good time to buy. Burma is probably a high willingness to pay market due to it's particularly unique character and relatively closed status. Furthermore, QR does not deploy a large amount of capacity.
There were some promotions in business class, including 241, but by the time they materialised all the sale-applicable fare buckets for the days they needed to travel were closed.
All that said, you are looking at flights nearly a year ahead. I doubt that you would lose out by waiting another six months to see if anything favourable happens.
Dec 7, 2014, 10:46 am
#5
Join Date: Dec 2006
Programs: LH SEN, FB Plat., HH D.
Posts: 5,050
Dec 7, 2014, 10:56 am
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: San Miguel de Allende Mex
Programs: BAEC Silver
Posts: 352
Yes I have considered BKK and am monitoring BA for upgrading from WTP to CW, since I have plenty of Avios points I can use. Availability not good though. CW fare is about the same as direct to RGN, and then one has to factor in stop over and flying onward. Thanks anyway.
Dec 7, 2014, 12:07 pm
#7
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: MAN, HKG, DOH, MNL
Programs: QR Gold
Posts: 491
Another option is KUL too, both BKK and KUL are not bad for RGN (I think KUL has the better J lounge)
I booked MAN > RGN about 7 months before i flew and i got a discounted ticket, but in Y - I am flying in March
I booked MAN > RGN about 7 months before i flew and i got a discounted ticket, but in Y - I am flying in March
Dec 9, 2014, 3:57 pm
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Little dot in Asia
Programs: AA-EP, TK-*G, HL-DM, HY-GLO, MR-LTP
Posts: 25,929
I am flying from London to Yangon and back in November 2015 and am looking at Qatar Airways business class. Is it too early to book for best price, or can I rely on the fare coming down or a sale in the next few months? Does the usual rule of book three months ahead apply with this airline? Thanks.
Do you only want to depart from LHR? Cos you know the UK ADP tax alone will add over 200 quid to your ticket. Are you open to flying to say, BKK and then buy a separate ticket to RGN if it saves you money?
Dec 9, 2014, 4:11 pm
#9
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Warks.England
Programs: Thai Silver,Skywards Silver,Gulf Silver, Interconti Prority Platinum, FR Priority Q!
Posts: 697
I originally booked the two of us in J for flights LHR/RGN last February for departure between Christmas & New Year. The price has hardly changed since we booked.
QR changed the aircraft(319LR to 330/200 2 class) and the timing which meant we arrived in Yangon at 04.45 after a five and a half hour flight. Sod that.
Cancelled,cost me £100, and rebooked EK with a day flight leaving DXB 09.30 and arriving,after a change to MAI in Bangkok, at 21.30 AND the flights were £375 cheaper plus no hotel bill for LHR and a short 25min chauffeur ride to BHX
SS
QR changed the aircraft(319LR to 330/200 2 class) and the timing which meant we arrived in Yangon at 04.45 after a five and a half hour flight. Sod that.
Cancelled,cost me £100, and rebooked EK with a day flight leaving DXB 09.30 and arriving,after a change to MAI in Bangkok, at 21.30 AND the flights were £375 cheaper plus no hotel bill for LHR and a short 25min chauffeur ride to BHX
SS
