Ultra-cheap K fares and inventory
Dec 9, 2007, 12:33 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2002
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Ultra-cheap K fares and inventory
I just booked a really cheap ticket one way ARN-OSL in February. It booked in K class and the nominal price was SEK 300. I normally never book anything this far into the future so it was an unusual "treat" to see these low fares.
Anyway, I had checked a few days ago and I think all but one or two flights showed at this fare. When I came back to book only two flights were at this low price. I bought my 2nd preferred travel time; not a big deal. The fare booked in K, but you don't see this until the end.
I checked Expertflyer. Most flights that day have K inventory (K9) but only two flights still have the cheap K fare. Other flights had L class as well (isn't that lower than K?) but not my flight.
This is strange..... How does SK manage its low cost inventory and how does it relate to the K bucket?
p.s. The flights that still have the ultra-cheap are in the mid-afternoon on a Friday. You would think that they would apply a time restriction rule for a cheap fare to flights in the late morning and around noon as well. But they are K9 U9 L9 but price at SEK 600 plus tax. Very strange.
Anyway, I had checked a few days ago and I think all but one or two flights showed at this fare. When I came back to book only two flights were at this low price. I bought my 2nd preferred travel time; not a big deal. The fare booked in K, but you don't see this until the end.
I checked Expertflyer. Most flights that day have K inventory (K9) but only two flights still have the cheap K fare. Other flights had L class as well (isn't that lower than K?) but not my flight.
This is strange..... How does SK manage its low cost inventory and how does it relate to the K bucket?
p.s. The flights that still have the ultra-cheap are in the mid-afternoon on a Friday. You would think that they would apply a time restriction rule for a cheap fare to flights in the late morning and around noon as well. But they are K9 U9 L9 but price at SEK 600 plus tax. Very strange.
Dec 9, 2007, 12:42 pm
#2
Moderator: Lufthansa Miles & More, India based airlines, India, External Miles & Points Resources
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You are witnessing the point of sales (POS) concept that SK pratices. I presume you looked at availability using EF, but are pricing it using sas.se. Try flysas.com and the US POS, and you should be able to book a ultra cheap KFIX if K9 shows 
Dec 9, 2007, 12:52 pm
#3
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) while the US does not.Sorry, it was SEK 330 base fare and USD 52 on the US site. Although the US site shows the total fare (USD 77) in the list while the Swedish site shows the pre-tax price in the list.
The fare basis was KT4YE.
Dec 9, 2007, 2:46 pm
#4
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: ARN
Posts: 2,321
I have seen a lot of times that travel agents (in Sweden) that uses Amadeus can not find a fare, e.g. S-class ARN-ORD, but SAS sales agent can using ResAid.
I think they have some type of internal availability system as can´t be related solely to POS.
I think they have some type of internal availability system as can´t be related solely to POS.
Dec 10, 2007, 7:02 am
#5
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: CPH, Denmark
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ResAid holds the truth, and a part of the truth is then sent to Amadeus based on what SAS wants to show out there in the World. Also, ExpertFlyer is not always updated as frequently and does not build its data on Amadeus only.
Dec 10, 2007, 9:57 am
#6
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Ok, so Resaid holds the key. Does any have a feel for how many seats per aircraft SAS sells at these ultra-low fares? These are of course the basis for their advertising. For a typical aircraft are talking 6, 10, 20 or ??? seats?
Dec 10, 2007, 10:01 am
#7
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Dec 10, 2007, 10:22 am
#8
Join Date: Sep 2004
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The only thing they say is that every flight has at least 1 seat in K class due marketing reasons (Nya Inrikesflyget/Nya Europaflyget).
On morning departures ARN-GOT etc my guess is that the one seat is the only one as they block out everything but C class weeks ahead.
On morning departures ARN-GOT etc my guess is that the one seat is the only one as they block out everything but C class weeks ahead.
