FlyerGoldII

I purchased a Z class business class ticket from VIE-BCN return, in late Sept/early Oct.

Issue 1.

I saw certain prices on google flights.
One was a price if ticket bought through LH directly.
(this price was confirmed when I was directed to the LH web site).

Second price were about 15-20% higher if booked through listed ?on-line travel agencies.

So I went to AMEX (Platinum) travel agent - she could only get me the higher price listed with the above travel agencies.

I thought the travel agent could book the lower price, if going to the LH web site and booking as a travel agent?
But apparently, she booked through a travel booking software - which gives her the higher price?


Issue 2.

I booked through the LH telephone reservation agent based at a call centre (center) in Manila.
I could get a the price charged in Canadian dollars.

Advantage of telephone booking over on-line booking - charge of ticket in Canadian dollars - I have credit cards that charge 2.5% conversion fee if booked in foreign currency - which is all the LH web site could give me (charge in euros). Disadvantage of telephone booking - there is a US$20 charge for using such as agent (FYI - AC does not charge extra for booking via the agent vs online; although Air Canada's FFP Aeroplan does charge an extra fee if booking over the phone vs on-line).

So is there any way of paying for the ticket in my own (country's) currency if booking on-line?

cfischer

it is extremely unusual to see a 15-20% price difference. Can you share sample dates? Wanting specific pricing and POS in another country that can be tricky. Did you try to book this through e.g. Expedia.ca?

athome

LH website is booking based on CoD (Country of departure) and in the respective currency of the CoD. The credit card will always be charged with this currency. Online there is no other way.

FlyerGoldII

Here is the copied page (I was having trouble putting a screen shot):
Unless otherwise specified, the dollars are in Canadian currency.

Round trip
1
Business Class
ViennaBarcelona
Total price from
$1,062
Selected flights

1. 
   Fri, 27 Sep
   08:10 – 13:05
   Austrian, Lufthansa
   4 h 55 m
   VIE–BCN
   1 stop
   1 h 25 m FRA
2. 
   Tue, 1 Oct
   13:45 – 18:00
   Lufthansa, Austrian
   4 h 15 m
   BCN–VIE
   1 stop
   1 h 15 m MUC

Booking options
AdsGoogle may be compensated by some of these providers.
Book with Lufthansa
Marketed as LH 6385, LH 1130, LH 2657, LH 6374

€716 ; $1,062

;
Book with FlightNetwork
Marketed as LH 6385, LH 1130, LH 2657, LH 6374
; $1,237


Book with CheapOair
Marketed as LH 6385, LH 1130, LH 2657, LH 6374
CAD$1,237
US$937
Total price includes taxes + fees for 1 adult. Additional bag fees and other fees may apply.

FlyerGoldII

The web site should allow purchase based on country of purchase. I believe AC and many of the US carriers offer this option.

athome

Not LH.

FlyerGoldII

Does that apply to North America - ie buying ticket with US departure from Canada or vice versa? - can one get ticket purchased in currency of country of purchase?

MSPeconomist

puchong

One simple solution would be to book with an OTA such as expedia.ca - all billing would be in CAD but you may end up with higher prices (same as what Amex Platinum wants).

daumueller

FlyerGoldII

AMEX was guoting the higher of the 2 fares (displayed by google flights) for Z class - so I booked directly by calling the LH reservations toll-free number and getting the lower Z class fare - yes, I had to pay a US$20 telephone reservation booking fee, but I saved on the currency exchange fee of 2.5% that my Canadian AMEX Platinum card charges.

The question is why could AMEX not book directly on-line via the travel agent's web site for LH - the lower LH fare?

LXboy

(bolding mine)

Are you sure about that? I don't expect LH to apply the interbank FX rate. You probably just paid a certain percentage to LH for the conversion...