[PREM FARE GONE] AF Business Class LAX - LHR $1515
#782
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: London
Programs: BAEC Silver, SPG Gold, Hilton Gold, Melia Gold, Shangri-La Jade, BA Amex PP, Iberia+, Nandos Card
Posts: 1,523
500% is nothing in the airline pricing game, look at AF LAX-LHR economy class in February:
Fare basis VLJX87E4 - $129.00 R/T
Fare basis YFFWUS - $5608.00 R/T (yes, that's 4300% of the V fare)
Should I now assume that any ticket booked in V is a "mistake" fare and could get canceled???
Fare basis VLJX87E4 - $129.00 R/T
Fare basis YFFWUS - $5608.00 R/T (yes, that's 4300% of the V fare)
Should I now assume that any ticket booked in V is a "mistake" fare and could get canceled???
#784
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: New York City
Posts: 801
They'd tell you that you have no ticket and send you on your merry way, provided, of course, that you were not interested in paying full-fare F at the counter.
#785
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: In between BRU, AMS, DUS and LUX...
Programs: AF/KL Plat, BA Gold, A3 Gold, IHG Diamond, MR Gold, HH Diamond, ALL Platinum
Posts: 1,044
This is true only if departing from the US, and only because DOT rules dictate so. The same logic does not apply with different departure points.
Honestly, if I compare the hard product (i.e the F seat) of an AF 388 and a BA 789, I think that BA wins. But I agree that the transfer experience in CDG will be much more enjoyable than in LHR (should a transfer occurs as LHR is the end destination). The comparison with EK is also not in the favor of AF's case in that particular example.
Based on the prices people pay to travel in First on AF, and therefore the margin that AF makes on those tickets, and also considering the number of tickets issued including a first class segment operated by AF (maybe no more than a couple hundreds a day max), I believe that AF could easy hire someone, possibly in a country where the wages are quite low, to verify manually if every ticket comprising a First class segment would be priced accordingly, and then and only then, the ticket will be issued. A booking reference could be issued at the time of booking but only the ticket will be issued by a human being. If AF wanted to be very careful about revenue mangement and first class exclusiveness, that could have been an option they could have choose. they did not. THEIR systems issued tickets based on valid fare rules. Those bookings were not results of a hack of any sort by someone external to AF/DL. Those bookings were done after someone from AF/DL published a change in the base fare. This was not the fault of the customer. The average customer would not know this (remember : not everyone in the world has a membership on Expert Flyer and is fully aware of the airfare pricing structures and marketing strategies).
Again, AF does not care if you make a mistake or not when you book your ticket and need to modify the dates. They do not care either if you show up at the airport too late or with an excess of luggage. They just charge you according to their rules, which you agreed when you purchased the ticket. A potential mistake was done at their side, too bad for them. Now man'up, "give me break" and take your responsibilities. And learn from your mistakes.
Some think that the situation was handled quite well. I have to say that I do not agree. I got the first email or phone call more than 24 hours after the cancellation of the ticket. I also got yesterday another phone call informing me of the cancellation of the second ticket. One week after booking, this is just unbelievable. While my credit card was swiftly and correctly charged, I still did not receive any refund almost 9 days after booking, and 8 days after cancellation. Is that right ?
If someone would have offered me a seat in J with the same conditions, I think I would have gladly accepted it, and if I would have enjoyed the experience, then I would have maybe changed my preferred carrier for long haul flights to the US to Air France. Just like I did after trying QR on the first time with the Sake fare to Tokyo, and now QR is my first airline of choice when flying to asia or the middle east. Same with BA, which is now my airline of choice for the past 5 years when flying trans-atlantic... And once again, we are not talking about a 20 dollar ticket incorrectly quoted in Danish Krone, but a 1500 $ + ticket - so a rebooking in J would not have killed the yield on a competitive route I guess.
But I am sure that AF will survive without me on board their flights to the west coast...
Most of your points are comparing apples and oranges. BA F is a far cry from AF. The Emirates fares were not from the US West Coast.
The AF $3k sale to Spain earlier this year was from NYC and the $6k sales originate in France. All completely different markets.
The AF $3k sale to Spain earlier this year was from NYC and the $6k sales originate in France. All completely different markets.
Based on the prices people pay to travel in First on AF, and therefore the margin that AF makes on those tickets, and also considering the number of tickets issued including a first class segment operated by AF (maybe no more than a couple hundreds a day max), I believe that AF could easy hire someone, possibly in a country where the wages are quite low, to verify manually if every ticket comprising a First class segment would be priced accordingly, and then and only then, the ticket will be issued. A booking reference could be issued at the time of booking but only the ticket will be issued by a human being. If AF wanted to be very careful about revenue mangement and first class exclusiveness, that could have been an option they could have choose. they did not. THEIR systems issued tickets based on valid fare rules. Those bookings were not results of a hack of any sort by someone external to AF/DL. Those bookings were done after someone from AF/DL published a change in the base fare. This was not the fault of the customer. The average customer would not know this (remember : not everyone in the world has a membership on Expert Flyer and is fully aware of the airfare pricing structures and marketing strategies).
Again, AF does not care if you make a mistake or not when you book your ticket and need to modify the dates. They do not care either if you show up at the airport too late or with an excess of luggage. They just charge you according to their rules, which you agreed when you purchased the ticket. A potential mistake was done at their side, too bad for them. Now man'up, "give me break" and take your responsibilities. And learn from your mistakes.
Some think that the situation was handled quite well. I have to say that I do not agree. I got the first email or phone call more than 24 hours after the cancellation of the ticket. I also got yesterday another phone call informing me of the cancellation of the second ticket. One week after booking, this is just unbelievable. While my credit card was swiftly and correctly charged, I still did not receive any refund almost 9 days after booking, and 8 days after cancellation. Is that right ?
If someone would have offered me a seat in J with the same conditions, I think I would have gladly accepted it, and if I would have enjoyed the experience, then I would have maybe changed my preferred carrier for long haul flights to the US to Air France. Just like I did after trying QR on the first time with the Sake fare to Tokyo, and now QR is my first airline of choice when flying to asia or the middle east. Same with BA, which is now my airline of choice for the past 5 years when flying trans-atlantic... And once again, we are not talking about a 20 dollar ticket incorrectly quoted in Danish Krone, but a 1500 $ + ticket - so a rebooking in J would not have killed the yield on a competitive route I guess.
But I am sure that AF will survive without me on board their flights to the west coast...
#786
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Seattle & Seoul.... and now, Maastricht....
Programs: UA Mileage Plus, NWA WorldPerks deserter, Alaska Airlines Something-er-Other...
Posts: 1,886
I booked on an OTA. My flights are showing as fine. Even says "no need to call and confirm" (ha ha). Charges posted to my credit card (not pending anymore). No sign of a refund..... BUT I can no longer see the PNR on Air France. Not anticipating being able to use the tickets, but it's sure interesting to see them just sitting there on the OTA.
...edited to add: I have not been contacted by anyone about a cancellation. Email or otherwise.
...edited to add: I have not been contacted by anyone about a cancellation. Email or otherwise.
Last edited by Paella747; Dec 28, 2017 at 1:44 am
#787
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: LAX
Programs: UA Gold/1MM, AA EXP, Marriott Plat
Posts: 963
I think somehow my ticket somehow fell thru the cancellation cracks and I was able to fly this fare in the 77W outbound (have the A380 on the return). No issues checking in online or dropping off bags at the airport....and none of the agents mentioned the fare I paid, etc. I think I just got lucky...
#788
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: In between BRU, AMS, DUS and LUX...
Programs: AF/KL Plat, BA Gold, A3 Gold, IHG Diamond, MR Gold, HH Diamond, ALL Platinum
Posts: 1,044
I think somehow my ticket somehow fell thru the cancellation cracks and I was able to fly this fare in the 77W outbound (have the A380 on the return). No issues checking in online or dropping off bags at the airport....and none of the agents mentioned the fare I paid, etc. I think I just got lucky...
#790
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: In between BRU, AMS, DUS and LUX...
Programs: AF/KL Plat, BA Gold, A3 Gold, IHG Diamond, MR Gold, HH Diamond, ALL Platinum
Posts: 1,044
#792
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: In between BRU, AMS, DUS and LUX...
Programs: AF/KL Plat, BA Gold, A3 Gold, IHG Diamond, MR Gold, HH Diamond, ALL Platinum
Posts: 1,044
Still nothing back on my account, More than a week after cancellation where they mentioned loudly that they will refund everything within 48 hours. Called Amex to cancel the transaction, but the agent mentioned to wait a couple more days and provide the emails stating the reservations were cancelled. I guess the BS generic email everyone received, where no details concerning the reservation were mentioned would do the job. Anyway, I hope something will be done before Jan 2nd since this is my Amex statement date.
#793
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Global
Posts: 5,998
I think somehow my ticket somehow fell thru the cancellation cracks and I was able to fly this fare in the 77W outbound (have the A380 on the return). No issues checking in online or dropping off bags at the airport....and none of the agents mentioned the fare I paid, etc. I think I just got lucky...
Good luck on the return and enjoy the experience!
#794
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: LAX
Programs: UA Gold/1MM, AA EXP, Marriott Plat
Posts: 963
It was good. I was actually sick with a cough/cold and a sinus infection so didn't have much of an appetite. The hard product and service both in air and on the ground were excellent; however there was no ground service at Heathrow and it's a zoo at immigration. Apparently AF doesn't participate in arriving Fast Track. Shrugs.
The cabin was half full leading up to the day prior but apparently the A380 flight in the morning went mechanical so my flight went out completely full in all cabins.
And for whoever asked when I flew, it was about a week after the fare, so I definitely think it was missed and I just got super lucky.
The cabin was half full leading up to the day prior but apparently the A380 flight in the morning went mechanical so my flight went out completely full in all cabins.
And for whoever asked when I flew, it was about a week after the fare, so I definitely think it was missed and I just got super lucky.
#795
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: 6km East of EPAYE
Programs: UA Silver, AA Platinum, AS & DL GM Marriott TE, Hilton Gold
Posts: 9,582
THEIR systems issued tickets based on valid fare rules. Those bookings were not results of a hack of any sort by someone external to AF/DL. Those bookings were done after someone from AF/DL published a change in the base fare. This was not the fault of the customer. The average customer would not know this (remember : not everyone in the world has a membership on Expert Flyer and is fully aware of the airfare pricing structures and marketing strategies).
Again, AF does not care if you make a mistake or not when you book your ticket and need to modify the dates. They do not care either if you show up at the airport too late or with an excess of luggage. They just charge you according to their rules, which you agreed when you purchased the ticket. A potential mistake was done at their side, too bad for them. Now man'up, "give me break" and take your responsibilities. And learn from your mistakes.
Again, AF does not care if you make a mistake or not when you book your ticket and need to modify the dates. They do not care either if you show up at the airport too late or with an excess of luggage. They just charge you according to their rules, which you agreed when you purchased the ticket. A potential mistake was done at their side, too bad for them. Now man'up, "give me break" and take your responsibilities. And learn from your mistakes.