Really strange pricing tactics by AF
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2005
Programs: Eurostar Carte Blanche, SBB-CFF-FFS GA-AG, SNCF Grand Voyageur LeClub
Posts: 7,836
Really strange pricing tactics by AF
Wanted to fly from CDG to a European destination tomorrow morning. In Business Class, only full fare business was available at EUR 395, but no saver Business fares on that flight. On all other flights, EUR 244 saver Business was available. Then I checked Economy: least expensive ticket at EUR 49. So I bought that. Upon checking in three minutes later, I am offered to upgrade to a wide open business class cabin for EUR 69.
What is the logic? Closing saver Business fares at sale which would have created revenue of EUR 244, but then letting people on a EUR 49 ticket upgrade for EUR 69? Strange.
What is the logic? Closing saver Business fares at sale which would have created revenue of EUR 244, but then letting people on a EUR 49 ticket upgrade for EUR 69? Strange.
#2
Join Date: May 2015
Location: RBA / TBS
Programs: AF Gold / Accor Gold / Hilton Diamond / TP Silver / A3 Gold
Posts: 2,751
for how many destinations did you checked the business saver ?? are they all in same country ?? also did you checked on other flights for the same destination for the following days ??
#3
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: HAG
Programs: Der 5* FTL
Posts: 8,065
The logic is, that the target group is the people who just bought Eco and hadn't looked at Business; normally you shouldn't get such a cheap upgrade option... but I guess that booking situation at this time is not following anything close to normal patterns and that might throw the revenue control programming out of the loop...
#4
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: CDG/AMS
Programs: FB Plat for life, FB PC, M&M FT, Hertz President (+ many low tier cards)
Posts: 2,777
Wanted to fly from CDG to a European destination tomorrow morning. In Business Class, only full fare business was available at EUR 395, but no saver Business fares on that flight. On all other flights, EUR 244 saver Business was available. Then I checked Economy: least expensive ticket at EUR 49. So I bought that. Upon checking in three minutes later, I am offered to upgrade to a wide open business class cabin for EUR 69.
What is the logic? Closing saver Business fares at sale which would have created revenue of EUR 244, but then letting people on a EUR 49 ticket upgrade for EUR 69? Strange.
What is the logic? Closing saver Business fares at sale which would have created revenue of EUR 244, but then letting people on a EUR 49 ticket upgrade for EUR 69? Strange.
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: London, UK and Southern France
Posts: 18,364
Ultimately, whether it is a right calculation or not depends on the quality of the pricing algorithm but it is at least conceivable that it might be the right decision to take to maximise revenue. I assume that your flight was an early morning "full business day at destination" type of timing and that those with business saver available were on flights later in the day?
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Netherlands
Programs: KL Platinum; A3 Gold
Posts: 28,742
It's logic for normal times, and not for times when planes are flying with only 3 or 4 people on board.
You were shown last-minute business class fares. Clearly, they are not offering last-minute economy fares given that the plane is empty...which is probably not an unreasonable "mix".
Have a safe trip.
You were shown last-minute business class fares. Clearly, they are not offering last-minute economy fares given that the plane is empty...which is probably not an unreasonable "mix".
Have a safe trip.