BA Enhances its short haul economy fare structure
Mar 9, 2016, 1:52 pm
#331
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Mar 9, 2016, 1:56 pm
#332
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Mar 9, 2016, 1:56 pm
#333
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Well my main route VIE-LHR in HBO fare went up 9 EUR overnight, so indeed one could argue that. Still not sure what the difference will be between HBO and checked baggage fares.
Mar 9, 2016, 3:40 pm
#334
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My point - which I appreciate is stating the obvious - is that if you're actually facing a choice for a particular flight between a cheap semi-flex fare or a much more expensive (easily 2/3/4 times more) published fully flex fare, there's basically zero value in the latter.
I guess the exception being when it's more likely than not that you'll need to cancel for a refund, but you want to secure a seat in advance just in case you *do* need to travel.
Mar 9, 2016, 4:22 pm
#335
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Mar 10, 2016, 12:36 am
#336
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Interestingly, yesterday after I posted that I was only being offered 'Economy' and 'Busienss' and not HBO, I discovered that I could still find HBO fares by going through google flights and clicking 'book with BA'. Not sure why I couldn't get them directly though. (haven't checked yet this morning)
Mar 10, 2016, 1:47 am
#337
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Here's LHR-BRU priced today for 26 April, for those who are interested. All the HBO and WCB options book into Q class.
Last edited by Globaliser; Feb 27, 2019 at 9:24 am
Mar 10, 2016, 2:12 am
#338
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I think my post did (or at least meant to) acknowledge those situations.
My point - which I appreciate is stating the obvious - is that if you're actually facing a choice for a particular flight between a cheap semi-flex fare or a much more expensive (easily 2/3/4 times more) published fully flex fare, there's basically zero value in the latter.
I guess the exception being when it's more likely than not that you'll need to cancel for a refund, but you want to secure a seat in advance just in case you *do* need to travel.
My point - which I appreciate is stating the obvious - is that if you're actually facing a choice for a particular flight between a cheap semi-flex fare or a much more expensive (easily 2/3/4 times more) published fully flex fare, there's basically zero value in the latter.
I guess the exception being when it's more likely than not that you'll need to cancel for a refund, but you want to secure a seat in advance just in case you *do* need to travel.
Mar 10, 2016, 2:14 am
#339
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Mar 10, 2016, 2:57 am
#340
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That means all with luggage fares will be semi-flex, but some will have better TP/avios earning (assuming very bottom buckets are available as with luggage fares).
Looks similar to CE where more expensive buckets bring better terms, not just increase in price.
Mar 10, 2016, 3:07 am
#342
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My impressions, taking into account that it's a limited amount of data:
- no changes to LGW prices at all, but that's because the changes haven't rolled through there, still showing change fees on non HBO.
- not much changes on LCY, but the changes are in place
- not much change on LHR fares for flights a month out for shorthaul Europe
- an increase in fares for Domestic, the NCL-LHR £46 is now £54 across the board
- an increase in fares close up to departure, in the £3 to £10 area. So the delta between HBO and non HBO is maintained, but the fares are up
- no obvious changes to Club Europe, so closer in this becomes more attractive.
- no changes to LGW prices at all, but that's because the changes haven't rolled through there, still showing change fees on non HBO.
- not much changes on LCY, but the changes are in place
- not much change on LHR fares for flights a month out for shorthaul Europe
- an increase in fares for Domestic, the NCL-LHR £46 is now £54 across the board
- an increase in fares close up to departure, in the £3 to £10 area. So the delta between HBO and non HBO is maintained, but the fares are up
- no obvious changes to Club Europe, so closer in this becomes more attractive.
From what I can make out, looking at fares and routes I know well:
- the headline "lowest" fare for HBO has been maintained. Geneva is available at £29.72 one way.
- no immediate Domestic increases, it is still possible to get to Glasgow for £39.80 even fairly close in (16 March) however I can see some evidence of fares rising by £2 from April.
- some evidence that the cheapest with baggage fares are a few pounds dearer, in other words a slightly wider gap between HBO and with baggage. On 40 flights I've checked it's about £2.70 more if I exclude the 10% outliers on either side.
Mar 10, 2016, 3:10 am
#343
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At the other end of the scale, a quick look at LON-AMS for today suggests that H class (eg BA440) will still come in HBO and WCB flavours, but Y (BA444) and B (BA442) are WCB only. This would align the HBO/WCB concept (including semi-flex WCB) with the booking classes whose fares were already semi-flex in a different sense, leaving the fully-flex fares in Y and B in a category of their own.
Last edited by Globaliser; Feb 27, 2019 at 9:23 am
Mar 10, 2016, 3:12 am
#344
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Mar 10, 2016, 3:17 am
#345
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It appears those of us in the Regions are being left behind with this enhanced semi-flex fare structure. Wherever there is a connection involved the old rules remain - £60 to £100 change fee plus difference in fare, including changes on the day changes. That appears very unfair. Fares also appear to have increased too for the enhanced 'no change' semi-flex fares.
So it is a
from me with respect to the changes where I need to connect - which is every flight I take that doesn't end in London.
So it is a
from me with respect to the changes where I need to connect - which is every flight I take that doesn't end in London.