minz56

Indeed, but there was a lot of conflicting information!

MaxVO

If EK is copying QR's playbook, the conflicting info will always remain. The objective is to collect a fare now, then keep you on the phone / texting device for many days to come. You'll eventually get a flight, but most likely not what you think you're buying now, and uncertainly at what price.

alp67

I tried to book the 8-segments-routing into "F"-class instead of "A"-class, no success.
Only simple return searches will give you the option to select either First Flex or First Flex Plus, advanced search (=multiple flights/city-search) will always lead to First Flex only.
I gonna send all of it it to my travel agent to find out what pricetag comes attached to "F-class-booking" at one of the fancy routings.

plae

Bahrein (instead of MCT) into April possible for EUR 1.645

For example 31 March - 7 April (not allowed to post link because I'm new registerd).

Thanks author!

minz56

Nice find. Important booking details:

VALID FOR TRAVEL COMMENCING ON/AFTER 22DEC 20 AND ON/ BEFORE 31MAR 21
12 MONTH VALIDITY
TICKETS MUST BE ISSUED ON/AFTER 22DEC 20 AND ON/BEFORE 03JAN 21.

After 31 March 2021 the fare rises to EUR1,864, about the same as the MCT fare.

NextWhiteDeath

I would make a guess that after booking if you moved it to June it shouldn't involve a fare increase as it would still be in the specified deadline.

minz56

I think it would be better to take the 'Keep your ticket' option and then rebook (and change destination if necessary) when you know when you want to travel.

alp67

Same with CAI, fancy routing before March 31 € 2'395, after € 2'633.




If booked today tickets will be open until Jan 29th 2023!

minz56

How do you work this out?

gnargel

Ok, could not resist. Also booked... Went for the MCT option. Have been there before and is a nice place to visit (although I quite liked BAH too). Still quite surprised that EK has not yet closed the double BKK bounce option.

alp67

I talked to different agents at various call centres reg. fare difference, all quoted my ticket booked on Dec 28 could be kept under COVID policy until Jan 27th 2023. Journey must be completed not only started by that date.

plae

So if I book the Cairo option before 31 March. I have some questions:

1. I can decide the new dates for my flights. It does not need to have the same time between them as I book them now?
2. Are you guys not 'afraid' that the same fare class is nowhere to find in 2022 for example?

By the way. It is possible to switch to Amsterdam instead of CAI/MCT/BAH for EUR 3.065 in March and EUR 2.990 without HKG or EUR 3.277 later this year. Frankfurt EUR 3.500 and even San Francisco for 5k is a fair price but not as low as the original deal. Price per hour is getting up then.

alp67

1) Yes (for new dates) and no it doesn't have to be the same flights, even additional or less stopover(s) is possible. add./less taxes will be levied
2) No, it's a fully refundable fare, you're basically handing out an interest-free loan to EK

And you can switsch CAI for JNB, CPT, WDH or others within Africa, this gives you more airtime and much nicer destinations, imho.

minz56

Adding to what @alp67 has said in response to point 2):

While I am not worried about availability when coming to rebook, you do need to factor in that first class may NOT be available on the DXB/BKK/HKG route in 2022 (a 2 class A380 is scheduled to replace the 3 class A380 in late October 2021). That means you would need to downgrade the BKK/HKG/BKK flights to J (no refund) and take a B777 on direct flights HKG/DXB/HKG in F. Also it is possible there will be NO F flights DXB/BKK/DXB in 2022 as again winter schedules next year show this to be the case. If you plan to commence/complete your trip before 31 October 2021 you will be able to get F on all flights.

At the end of the day if you don't like the flight options when you come to rebook you can get a refund.

R2

I can't get the European destinations to price on the EK site, where did you manage to do it?