Any experiences with SkyAuction
 

I stumbled across a new auction site featuring specials from airlines at

www.skyauction.com

The bids seem quite low, to wit:


Roundtrip Ticket Anywhere British Airways Flies [500116]


Current Bid: $535
Quantity Available: 1
Auction Ends: 02/24/99 9:00PM
Airline: British Airways
Min/Max Stay: No Minimum/Must Return by March 15,1999
Departure Dates: Anytime prior to March 15, 1999
Taxes: Approximately $86.00

(sorry about the formatting - cut and paste didn't work very elegantly)

mm - do you know whether, if you place the winning bid, you are guaranteed to get what you are bidding for (i.e. is there a reserve price?) and whether you are guaranteed to get a seat on the flight(s) of your choice during the time frame specified?

It looks like a great deal, but if there is no availability...

> i.e. is there a reserve price?

According to the docs, if there is a reserve bid it will be marked with an symbol (a small block with R inside) - none of the trips currently listed have a reserve.

> whether you are guaranteed to get a seat on the flight(s) of your choice

From the website:
What happens if I have the winning bid and the dates I
choose aren't available?
Sky: We will always work with you to offer the best possible
alternatives to satisfy your date preferences. Many of these
offerings are what industry types would call "capacity controlled"
However, they are generally available as outlined by us. If we
can not fulfill your request for any reason you will be refunded for
your total bid paid amount.


This is why I'd like to know whether these guys are on the "up and up" before bidding. I'd be willing to accept some restrictions/limited availability/ be flexible to get a cheap fare like that - BUT, if there is no/very little availability to where I want to go, then it's not very useful to anyone.

BTW (and to pacify the cat-cops) - the docs also state that you may get ff credit depending on the airline.



[This message has been edited by megamiles (edited 02-22-99).]

I emailed them asking about frequent flier credit if I bid on BA or NW - I'll post the reply when it comes in.

I won the bid on two tickets NY to London, good for Depature until 5/31/99 for $210.00 on Virgin Atlantic. Taxes and a handling fee ran the total to $300.00 each. I got the dates requested without a problem. No frequent flyer miles allowed. I called VI to confirm the reservation and its in there (havent recieved the tickets yet) It took two days and some phone calls to the get the reservation confirmed with skyauction. It would seem that they are using some type of consolidator fare/charter fare.

I asked Virgin about the cost of an additional adult ticket (depart 5/27 rtn 6/6) and was quoted a fare of $302.00 incl taxes. They said that this was a special sale fare (didnt show up on several WebTravel sites that I tried) I did book my three children at a childs fare of $247.00 rt.

In the end, I saved $2 dollars though this fare for this time of the year is the best I have seen. My impression is that SkyAuction is kind of being run on a shoestring. Winning fares seem to be high on some flights with a few bargins. I will post on any further experiences http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

[This message has been edited by Thistle (edited 03-03-99).]

Oh yeah, I did receive a reply from them - basically no frequent flier credit on any of the airlines with very few exceptions.

No miles=no smiles from me.

I e-mailed SkyAuction and asked about ff miles on AF bids. NO WAY!
Another reason to use the regular booking systems, including consolidators.

NO miles???? NO business from me!!!

No Miles. Why fly http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif Just kidding

arturo bed on skiauckshun awl tim. never win bed. mebe arturo auckshun arturo an sea wat arturo werth.