There are heaps of discounted Bus. Class .. on pretty well all carriers I imagine. Sometime it is just snooping that will reveal them.

And yes, there often may be restrictions that will not apply on a full fare Bus.

For instance on UA it is FAR cheaper from me to book Bus. to London than to New York or Washington, despite the extra 2 long transatlantic sections.

Often a cheap Bus. is not booked in full J, but in other classes, D, or L or whatever, but you DO get same points, seating and status as if you did.

Often on Qantas you can often book a holiday package overseas and pay something small to upgrade to Bus. Long routes like Sydney to Bali on QF or AN cost only peanuts more in BUS, as there clearly are NO business full fare pax ever use those routes .. nearly all budget holidaymakers, but planes still are configured with 10 or 20 Bus. seats.

On Thai Airways I ALWAYS fly from BKK to Saigon, Hanoi, Pnomh Penh, Vientiane, Kathmandu etc as Business Class add ons from BKK, that cost only about $A100 each. Published fare is 10 times that. Thai do not really TELL you these insane bargains exist .. you need to snoop around or ask!

Luckily, you are in Canada .. it has often been posted here than Bus/First fares on long haul even on same carriers like UA are far cheaper from say Vancouver than if booked in Seattle!




[This message has been edited by ozstamps (edited 08-09-2000).]