Always cheaper Business Class Fares through 3rd Parties?
#1
formerly JackDann
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Northern Ireland
Posts: 1,658
Always cheaper Business Class Fares through 3rd Parties?
Hi All,
I'm looking at booking flights later this year, business class from Northern Ireland or Ireland to Phuket over Christmas. Since I started looking some weeks back, it's become apparent that especially with British Airways, I am continually finding the cheapest deals through 3rd Party Travel websites, Booking direct comes up a-lot more expensive. Is this something that is usual, is there a way around it? have a look at the flights I was looking at below. I couldn't actually get the same flights through BA direct, but the closest I got was a-lot more expensive.
Through Travelup (Third Party)
Through BA
I'm looking at booking flights later this year, business class from Northern Ireland or Ireland to Phuket over Christmas. Since I started looking some weeks back, it's become apparent that especially with British Airways, I am continually finding the cheapest deals through 3rd Party Travel websites, Booking direct comes up a-lot more expensive. Is this something that is usual, is there a way around it? have a look at the flights I was looking at below. I couldn't actually get the same flights through BA direct, but the closest I got was a-lot more expensive.
Through Travelup (Third Party)
Through BA
#2
Join Date: Nov 2004
Programs: BA GGL, LH FTL
Posts: 3,578
I'd be careful with these Internet based travel agents. When something goes wrong (and even if it is something simple like a schedule change) you'll get a lot of pain for any changes. Even the reputable ones like Expedia are not always easy to deal with.
Why do you want to go on BA? I can see QR for £3.8k - more Tier points, better product, less stops.
Why do you want to go on BA? I can see QR for £3.8k - more Tier points, better product, less stops.
#4
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold; Flying Blue Life Platinum; LH Sen.; Hilton Diamond; Kemal Kebabs Prized Customer
Posts: 63,808
Due to the final flight, it isn't comparable, so I would urge you to call BA and see if they can get a better price, the more complex the trip - and this is fairly complex - the more likely that you will get odd results if a final flight has an impact on the previous flight(s) and their fare buckets. It's a codeshare which has combinability rules in contention. To answer the question, this scenario is certainly possible but by no means standard. However this is an apples and pears comparison as things stand.
See the "Find me a good BA fare" thread for a description on Consolidation travel agents and the multiple risks around this. Best Price Guarantee won't apply with flight differences.
See the "Find me a good BA fare" thread for a description on Consolidation travel agents and the multiple risks around this. Best Price Guarantee won't apply with flight differences.
#6
formerly JackDann
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Northern Ireland
Posts: 1,658
I'd be careful with these Internet based travel agents. When something goes wrong (and even if it is something simple like a schedule change) you'll get a lot of pain for any changes. Even the reputable ones like Expedia are not always easy to deal with.
Why do you want to go on BA? I can see QR for £3.8k - more Tier points, better product, less stops.
Why do you want to go on BA? I can see QR for £3.8k - more Tier points, better product, less stops.
I don't want to go BA (Trust me!), but QR is £1,600 more expensive PP (As you mentioned). Unfortunate, as it was a similar price to BA a couple of months ago.
#7
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Göteborg Sweden
Programs: SPG GOLD / BA GOLD/Club Carlson Gold/AMEX Plat.
Posts: 1,043
I just did a dummy booking for your dates and times on BA APP The price is showing me 3,500 pounds in D class.(business) I also did a dummy booking but in FIRST..I rec'd the same price that you stated above ( 7878.00). I would ring them (BA) and ask them to price it out.. I will also say that QR is a great airline..Just priced it, 3,334 pounds, Route for QR would be DUB-DOH-HKT ...
#8
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 222
I’ve been using travelup for 10+ times, didn’t have any problems, although there hasn’t any changes for the respective airlines I booked in. Do you mind sharing any of your negative experiences with this OTA so I can make a note of it for future bookings.
#9
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Greater Metropolitan Area
Programs: Yes
Posts: 367
I booked through Travelup about a year ago for a Gulf Air flight that was around £1000 cheaper for two than the airline's own website. I knew of the risks involved, but since it was for holiday I couldn't justify spending the extra money either.
It turned out Gulf Air cancelled the flight we were booked on a few months out. I proactively called Gulf Air and they rebooked us on the flight the next morning. A few days later Travelup called and said that there had been a cancellation, and when I told them that we had already rearranged with Gulf Air it took them a day or so but they then reissued the ticket. There was a bit of back and forth with an Indian call center, but ultimately it all worked out. Travelup contacted us without knowing we had already rearranged through Gulf Air, so I suppose that was a good sign.
So if it's unlikely that your plans might change, and there's plenty of time between booking and flying I don't think Travelup is particularly bad.
It turned out Gulf Air cancelled the flight we were booked on a few months out. I proactively called Gulf Air and they rebooked us on the flight the next morning. A few days later Travelup called and said that there had been a cancellation, and when I told them that we had already rearranged with Gulf Air it took them a day or so but they then reissued the ticket. There was a bit of back and forth with an Indian call center, but ultimately it all worked out. Travelup contacted us without knowing we had already rearranged through Gulf Air, so I suppose that was a good sign.
So if it's unlikely that your plans might change, and there's plenty of time between booking and flying I don't think Travelup is particularly bad.
#10
Join Date: Jul 2007
Programs: BAEC OW Gold/Emerald
Posts: 538
Depending on the price difference, you might want to utilise BA's price guarantee. Do read the conditions and follow the instructions carefully. I have used it a few times when comparing prices with Travelup as it happens.
I too have used Travelup on a number of occasions, and never had an issue as I never needed to change my travel plans. Again read their T&Cs carefully before making any commitment to use them.
I too have used Travelup on a number of occasions, and never had an issue as I never needed to change my travel plans. Again read their T&Cs carefully before making any commitment to use them.
#11
Join Date: Jun 2019
Posts: 2
Thank you for showing an interest in our website. We have some fantastic deals with British Airways, as one of their preferred partners. Should you need any help with making a new booking please feel free to call one of our dedicated sales team on 0118 956 6464. Thank you for your continued support for those of you that have travelled with us in the past!
The Travelup Team
The Travelup Team
#12
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold; Flying Blue Life Platinum; LH Sen.; Hilton Diamond; Kemal Kebabs Prized Customer
Posts: 63,808
Welcome to Flyertalk Travelup, and welcome to the BA forum.
I'm an ambassador in this forum, here to meet and greet. There is a mechanism for Company Representatives to be involved in Flyertalk, and I'll ask the forum moderators to look at that for you.
I'm an ambassador in this forum, here to meet and greet. There is a mechanism for Company Representatives to be involved in Flyertalk, and I'll ask the forum moderators to look at that for you.
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Denmark
Programs: TK Elite
Posts: 11,848
Paying in excess of 7,800 EUR for C/J class fare ex DUB to Phuket this far out would be insane. Clearly it is very different from the itinerary/booking classes provided by the OTA. This is not the usual/common (minor) difference between booking directly with the airline of through a OTA providing some kind of discount to the ticket.