Strange pricing - cheaper with 2 more flights
Nov 19, 2018, 2:45 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2015
Posts: 367
Strange pricing - cheaper with 2 more flights
I’m heading to DFW next week probably via IAH for a meeting. Leaving AKL 28NOV Leaving DFW 30NOV.
When pricing the AKL-IAH-AKL using NZ0028 and NZ0029 the return Business Class fare showed as $12161 with AP843 and SP808.
When changing the itinerary AKL-IAH-DFW-IAH-AKL using the same NZ0028 and NZ0029 flights but including connecting flights to/from DFW the return Business Class fare DECREASED to $11869 with AP757 and SP775.
I realize this is because in first example booking classes are D and C whereas in second example Z and D - these are flights/classes offered by Air NZ booking engine but it seems odd that adding two additional flights actually makes the AKL-IAH and IAH-AKL segments significantly cheaper.
When pricing the AKL-IAH-AKL using NZ0028 and NZ0029 the return Business Class fare showed as $12161 with AP843 and SP808.
When changing the itinerary AKL-IAH-DFW-IAH-AKL using the same NZ0028 and NZ0029 flights but including connecting flights to/from DFW the return Business Class fare DECREASED to $11869 with AP757 and SP775.
I realize this is because in first example booking classes are D and C whereas in second example Z and D - these are flights/classes offered by Air NZ booking engine but it seems odd that adding two additional flights actually makes the AKL-IAH and IAH-AKL segments significantly cheaper.
Nov 19, 2018, 5:05 am
#2
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Auckland
Programs: NZ*E
Posts: 186
This seems to be a fairl classic case of competition; Auckland to Houston direct has no competition, but a one stop to DFW definitely does with Qantas.
I guess in this case AirNZ is willing to offer lower fares as long as the married segments to DFW are included to compete accordingly.
I guess in this case AirNZ is willing to offer lower fares as long as the married segments to DFW are included to compete accordingly.
Nov 19, 2018, 6:02 am
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2015
Posts: 367
This seems to be a fairl classic case of competition; Auckland to Houston direct has no competition, but a one stop to DFW definitely does with Qantas.
I guess in this case AirNZ is willing to offer lower fares as long as the married segments to DFW are included to compete accordingly.
I guess in this case AirNZ is willing to offer lower fares as long as the married segments to DFW are included to compete accordingly.
Nov 19, 2018, 10:05 am
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: WLG/BKK
Programs: TG*G, NZ*GE, QF G, Accor Gold
Posts: 10,195
There are many examples of similar pricing situations - a few examples from TG and SQ ex New Zealand where AKL-BKK (or SIN)-CNX was cheaper than to just AKL to BKK or SIN....
No doubt the beanies in the revenue department have this sorted.
No doubt the beanies in the revenue department have this sorted.
Nov 20, 2018, 5:13 pm
#5
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Christchurch, New Zealand
Programs: NZ Elite; QF Platinum; CZ Gold; MU Platinum; Marriott Titanium; Accor Platinum
Posts: 1,467
On google flights just now AA offering it for NZ$8368 (1 stop 16.55 hrs travel) and United for $ 9.951 also one stop 17.45 travel
Nov 20, 2018, 5:58 pm
#6
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: New Zealand (when I'm home!)
Programs: Air NZ Elite
Posts: 1,218
TBH, I would usually pay more to cut an entire flight out of a journey. I don't mind longer layovers, but I find the process of changing planes to be stressful and really jarring. I do what I can to minimize connections. So if NZ wants to compete with Qantas for the flights to Dallas, then they better be cheaper, since I need to connect via LAX or Houston whereas with Qantas I can do it in just 1 stop in Aussie.