I've just been informed by the LH RTW ticketing office that the base fare for a <29k RTW in Y departing from UK will increase from £1480 to £2266 from 01-Feb.
Maybe this is to take into account the falling value of the Pound.
A Y <29k RTW I am currently ticketing is going to be £1950 including taxes & surcharges!
That is mind-boggling. How can they increase the fare by 153% when oil has now fallen to $34 a barrel (as of overnight trading today/last night)???
The pound sure hasn't fallen as hard and as fast as oil prices have.
peace,
~Ben~
I think that you need to check your maths - it is only a 53% increase a 153% increase would make the new level an even more mindboggling GBP 3744 but I agree that in either case it seems way out of line - it would be interesting to know what the pound was worth last time they reset the fares ... still , if you people will insist on holding on to your archaic currency rather than embracing the € (runs for cover before the explosion hits )
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kiwiandrew
I think that you need to check your maths - it is only a 53% increase a 153% increase would make the new level an even more mindboggling GBP 3744 but I agree that in either case it seems way out of line - it would be interesting to know what the pound was worth last time they reset the fares ... still , if you people will insist on holding on to your archaic currency rather than embracing the € (runs for cover before the explosion hits )
Ah --- meant to say 153% of prior fare. My mistake early in the morning... And I'm not included in the "you people" there. We got rid of the pound over 200 years ago.
peace,
~Ben~
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Quote:
Originally Posted by OFFlyer
Actually the GBP has fallen just around 34% from Jan 1 08 to Jan 1 09 compared to the Euro. And now it is on a rebound.
Right, but my point was that oil has fallen by over 75% since about six months ago. That's what doesn't add up. They're still collecting huge fuel surcharges on tickets and the checked bag fees that were introduced when we had $140+ oil. Now oil has dropped, the fees remain, and the price of the tickets is increasing. I thought passenger loads were down as well.... Go figure.
peace,
~Ben~
__________________
Robin: "What do you think, Ben?"
Me: "There's time for thinkin' when we're dead! Let's go!"
Have been advised by a local office of a partner to ticket any outstanding/on-hold RTW's by Jan 31 to guarantee current levels, so it looks like it is indeed a worldwide putsch. No further info as yet.
Seems ow's RTW's are also going up according to a thread in their forum as well.
Seperately, on 01FEB the North America Airpass is changing dramatically, going to a mileage based coupon cost a-la the Euro pass. dropping off all Caribbean routings, bag check fees for UA/US flights. Still reading through the new rules but will post once sorted out.
As I plan my very first RTW trip and figure out a perfect routing for me...they raise the prices and force me to look at other options!
I was looking at a 39K RTW from LHR in Y - at 2057 quid, it was perfect for my honemoon, now - I guess I'll keep looking!
Of course, if anyone has any information about dates/fare increases/anything about the increases I'd (and I'm sure the rest of us) would be very happy!
OW F Circle Pac. Swore off of those when the prices increased last year, but now, presumably, they'll be much cheaper than the FSTARs (FCPACs aren't useful to/from NYC) and I'll have to go back to them. Which sucks, because the routings aren't very good, A availability on OW is rough, and they're pretty bloody expensive.
a 153% increase would make the new level an even more mindboggling GBP 3744 but I agree that in either case it seems way out of line - it would be interesting to know what the pound was worth last time they reset the fares ... still , if you people will insist on holding on to your archaic currency rather than embracing the € (runs for cover before the explosion hits )
partner to ticket any outstanding/on-hold RTW's by Jan 31 to guarantee current levels, so it looks like it is indeed a worldwide putsch. No further info as yet.
