Puzzling availability/pricing errata - DXB-DEL 17 Jan, flight EK 516
Jan 8, 2012, 2:57 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Bellevue, WA - AA EXP 3MM
Posts: 2,756
Puzzling availability/pricing errata - DXB-DEL 17 Jan, flight EK 516
I'm trying to price DXB-DEL, 17 January, in cheapest available coach. ExpertFlyer shows an MSOWAE1 fare that would be fine, US$234+tax. ExpertFlyer shows available inventory: EK516 F4 A4 J7 C7 I7 O7 Y8 E8 R8 W9 M8 B9 U9 K9 H0 Q9 L9 T9 V9 X8 .
When I run a search at Emirates.com, I'm quoted the expected AED940 for the preceding flight EK8512 and also for some flights later in the day, but EK516 is quoted at AED2160 in business class (with a note indicating that no coach seats are available). Quotes at other online travel agencies (Orbitz, Expedia Corporate/Egencia, etc.) are similar.
Emirates.com confirms that coach inventory in low buckets is indeed available on EK516 on 17 Jan. For example, I searched LHR-DEL, departing 16 Dec, and was quoted GBP441.02 for EK8 (16 Jan) connecting to EK516 (17 Jan); I don't see the booking class or fare basis on emirates.com, but I believe that's the EK B fare LHR-DEL.
Any idea what may be going wrong here? I do believe I comply with all rules of the MSOWAE1 fare, and inventory is available, so I would have thought this would be straightforward. While AED2160 isn't out of the question, I don't need business class for this flight on this occasion. Many thanks for suggestions!
When I run a search at Emirates.com, I'm quoted the expected AED940 for the preceding flight EK8512 and also for some flights later in the day, but EK516 is quoted at AED2160 in business class (with a note indicating that no coach seats are available). Quotes at other online travel agencies (Orbitz, Expedia Corporate/Egencia, etc.) are similar.
Emirates.com confirms that coach inventory in low buckets is indeed available on EK516 on 17 Jan. For example, I searched LHR-DEL, departing 16 Dec, and was quoted GBP441.02 for EK8 (16 Jan) connecting to EK516 (17 Jan); I don't see the booking class or fare basis on emirates.com, but I believe that's the EK B fare LHR-DEL.
Any idea what may be going wrong here? I do believe I comply with all rules of the MSOWAE1 fare, and inventory is available, so I would have thought this would be straightforward. While AED2160 isn't out of the question, I don't need business class for this flight on this occasion. Many thanks for suggestions!
Jan 8, 2012, 4:35 pm
#2
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Pennsylvania
Programs: AA Platinum Pro, AC *S, Marriott Gold Elite, Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 9,689
Availability varies by point of sale. For example:
From DXB point of sale, the availability might be even less.
Cheers,
Code:
US
EK 516 0 DXB
01/17/12 10:10 AM DEL
01/17/12 2:45 PM 332
Daily
69% / 18m F4 A4 J7 C7 I7 O7 Y8 E8 R8 W9 M8 B9 U9 K9 H0 Q9 L9 T9 V9 X8
UK
EK 516 0 DXB
01/17/12 10:10 AM DEL
01/17/12 2:45 PM 332
Daily
69% / 18m F4 A4 J7 C7 I7 O7 Y8 E8 R9 W7 MC BC UC KC HC QC LC TC VC XC
Cheers,
Jan 8, 2012, 10:28 pm
#4
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Pennsylvania
Programs: AA Platinum Pro, AC *S, Marriott Gold Elite, Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 9,689
Edit: I tried www.expedia.com and it showed the $255 fare but when I clicked it it changed to the business class fare. So perhaps the systems are showing incorrect availability? Maybe an EK expert can chime in?
Jan 9, 2012, 12:16 am
#5
Moderator: Emirates Skywards and Qatar Airways Privilege Club
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: 12R/30L
Programs: EK Gold|EY Gold|Bonvoy Ambassador| IHG Plat|HHonors Diamond
Posts: 2,818
Your nationality and CC won't affect the POS. Are you trying to purchase an ex-DXB or an ex-USA ticket?
There isn't much you can do prom a POS perspective, the EK website will automatically determine that based on origin city. Sometimes you can get a different POS by using travel site such as expedia etc
There isn't much you can do prom a POS perspective, the EK website will automatically determine that based on origin city. Sometimes you can get a different POS by using travel site such as expedia etc
Jan 9, 2012, 6:58 am
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Bellevue, WA - AA EXP 3MM
Posts: 2,756
I'm trying to purchase a one-way ticket ex-DXB. I understand that most web sites determine POS based on origin city. I'm hoping to find a web site that will instead determine POS in some other way, like where I actually am or where I actually live. (Isn't that what POS is supposed to signify?!) If anyone has suggestions for a web site, or even a retail travel agent, that has this capability, I'd be very appreciative.
Jan 9, 2012, 7:34 am
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Bellevue, WA - AA EXP 3MM
Posts: 2,756
Following the suggestion of khalid26, I tried several other online ravel agents. Travelocity presented US inventory and allowed me to purchase this ticket at the price I was looking for. Perhaps this will be helpful to others in a similar situation.
Jan 9, 2012, 8:03 am
#8
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Exile
Posts: 15,655
Often, these are transparent to the consumer but these are critical from an airline perspective as local policies/regulations determine commissions, etc.. payable.
In case of interline itineraries, POS is even more critical as various airline combinations have different plating logic in different BSPs. This is subtly highlighted in the Mileage Run forum via the "trick it" thread.
Just a $0.02