FLEX booking class - what BA booking code?
Jan 15, 2017, 8:52 am
#1
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FLEX booking class - what BA booking code?
I try to fly strategically to maintain BAEC Silver and *A Gold. With that in mind, I am looking @ QF704 (MEL-CNS) in Flex. I would like to know how to find out which "class" this economy flight is (ie Y,G,H, V,B,...) - before I make the booking,. I need the "letter" so I can use the BAEC flight calculator to find the Tier Points (5 or 20). Sometimes it is worth (IMHO) paying for a Business class 1-way instead of 2 "cheap" economy flights if the Tier Point returns are significantly better.
FLEX info says that I will get 1200 Qantas miles or points, but since I am BAEC, I need to know how many Tier Points I would earn/get/receive.
TIA for any info.
FLEX info says that I will get 1200 Qantas miles or points, but since I am BAEC, I need to know how many Tier Points I would earn/get/receive.
TIA for any info.
Last edited by tmac100; Jan 15, 2017 at 10:11 am
Jan 15, 2017, 11:46 am
#3
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There's a long running thread on this, although I'm not sure whether there is sufficiently up-to-date information on the current website setup: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/qanta...antas-com.html
An alternative is to get the total price from the QF website, preferably (if available) with the breakdown between base fare and TFC. Then go to ITA and price the flight using different booking classes until you find a match, which will then give you the fare basis code and therefore the booking class used. Or if you have full access to ExpertFlyer, look at the fare ladder there to see whether you can find the fare whose base fare matches the base fare being used by the QF website.
An alternative is to get the total price from the QF website, preferably (if available) with the breakdown between base fare and TFC. Then go to ITA and price the flight using different booking classes until you find a match, which will then give you the fare basis code and therefore the booking class used. Or if you have full access to ExpertFlyer, look at the fare ladder there to see whether you can find the fare whose base fare matches the base fare being used by the QF website.
Jan 15, 2017, 2:14 pm
#4
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Look like the methods need revisiting since a new booking engine was released in the last couple of months.
A manual comparison with ExpertFlyer shows the an inclusive $426 Flex fare on Feb 16 books into M class (MQFLEX).
I did this by comparing the fare breakdown as shown in the recently introduced "Basket" with results from ExpertFlyer. ($362.82base fare)
Results from ExpertFlyer.com
A manual comparison with ExpertFlyer shows the an inclusive $426 Flex fare on Feb 16 books into M class (MQFLEX).
I did this by comparing the fare breakdown as shown in the recently introduced "Basket" with results from ExpertFlyer. ($362.82base fare)
Results from ExpertFlyer.com
Code:
Fare Information Search:
Departing MEL on 16/02/17 for CNS, Flying QF, Purchasing at MEL, Viewing in currency AUD, Validated Results
Fare Basis Airline Booking Trip Type Fare Cabin Effective Expiration Min/Max Advanced
Class Date Date Stay Purchase Req
...
MQFLEX QF M One-Way 362.82 (AUD) E 03
MPXI QF M One-Way 363.09 (AUD) E
MQFLEX QF M One-Way 363.09 (AUD) E 03
MPXI QF M One-Way 372.74 (AUD) E
MQFLEX QF M One-Way 372.74 (AUD) E 03
KIX QF K One-Way 422.17 (AUD) E
KQFLEX QF K One-Way 422.17 (AUD) E 03
KIX QF K One-Way 424.64 (AUD) E
KQFLEX QF K One-Way 424.64 (AUD) E 03
KIX QF K One-Way 431.83 (AUD) E
KQFLEX QF K One-Way 431.83 (AUD) E 03
HQFLEX QF H One-Way 485.82 (AUD) E 03
HQFLEX QF H One-Way 493.73 (AUD) E 03
HQFLEX QF H One-Way 495.47 (AUD) E 03
BQFLEX QF B One-Way 663.09 (AUD) E 03
BQFLEX QF B One-Way 670.09 (AUD) E 03
BQFLEX QF B One-Way 672.74 (AUD) E 03
YQFLEX QF Y One-Way 826.73 (AUD) E 03
YQFLEX QF Y One-Way 836.38 (AUD) E 03
YQFLEX QF Y One-Way 844.64 (AUD) E 03
Jan 15, 2017, 2:26 pm
#5
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You might be able to force a specific class using ITA - see here:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trave...-lh-lx-tk.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trave...-lh-lx-tk.html
Jan 15, 2017, 3:44 pm
#7
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If it's just to test whether a specific booking class returns a certain price, the easiest thing is probably just to use an advanced routing code:-
mel
qf /f bc=m
cns
And uncheck the box for "Only show flights and prices with available seats".
Then you can repeat for different booking classes until you get a fare that matches.
This doesn't always work for all booking classes because sometimes some fares seem to be caught by point of sale restrictions, but I think it's usually pretty reliable for the higher economy booking classes.If the OP is in the UK, that might not be quite as easy as it sounds, or quite as easy as a quick, reliable and free internet method.
mel
qf /f bc=m
cns
And uncheck the box for "Only show flights and prices with available seats".
Then you can repeat for different booking classes until you get a fare that matches.
This doesn't always work for all booking classes because sometimes some fares seem to be caught by point of sale restrictions, but I think it's usually pretty reliable for the higher economy booking classes.If the OP is in the UK, that might not be quite as easy as it sounds, or quite as easy as a quick, reliable and free internet method.
Last edited by Globaliser; Jan 15, 2017 at 3:57 pm
Jan 15, 2017, 4:54 pm
#8
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Looking at BA, they are looking for H, B or Y fare, earns 20 TP rather than 5 for M/K.
I see an H fare for AU$586 - it appears to be bookable using the American [+] Australia link on the above script.
Note that the OP may wish to consider the AU$1060 'D' fare that earns 40TP's.
Another option is the H fare is available via SYD or BNE for ~AU$600 - earns double the TP's.
I see an H fare for AU$586 - it appears to be bookable using the American [+] Australia link on the above script.
Note that the OP may wish to consider the AU$1060 'D' fare that earns 40TP's.
Another option is the H fare is available via SYD or BNE for ~AU$600 - earns double the TP's.
Jan 15, 2017, 8:38 pm
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Middle Earth, and often worse
Programs: BAEC Silver, A3 Gold
Posts: 2,220
Looking at BA, they are looking for H, B or Y fare, earns 20 TP rather than 5 for M/K.
I see an H fare for AU$586 - it appears to be bookable using the American [+] Australia link on the above script.
Note that the OP may wish to consider the AU$1060 'D' fare that earns 40TP's.
Another option is the H fare is available via SYD or BNE for ~AU$600 - earns double the TP's.
I see an H fare for AU$586 - it appears to be bookable using the American [+] Australia link on the above script.
Note that the OP may wish to consider the AU$1060 'D' fare that earns 40TP's.
Another option is the H fare is available via SYD or BNE for ~AU$600 - earns double the TP's.
Thanks serfty for suggesting the 2-sector flight instead of the non-stop. Double the TPs.
Oct 25, 2017, 10:49 pm
#10
Join Date: Aug 2012
Programs: UA 1K/MM, EK Gold, CX Silver
Posts: 880
This is very annoying. A lot of work just to see the booking class, and still uncertainty. Does QF have a 24 hr cancellation policy?
Can I book and then see the booking class on the e-ticket, and cancel if I don't like it?
Is there a way to put a fare on hold and see the class that way?
Why aren't they more transparent?
Looking at Expert Flyer helps, but doesn't give an exact match.
ITA won't give me for example the V class return fares if I specify qf /f bc=v but gives more expensive one way v fares.
Can I book and then see the booking class on the e-ticket, and cancel if I don't like it?
Is there a way to put a fare on hold and see the class that way?
Why aren't they more transparent?
Looking at Expert Flyer helps, but doesn't give an exact match.
ITA won't give me for example the V class return fares if I specify qf /f bc=v but gives more expensive one way v fares.
Oct 26, 2017, 3:21 am
#11
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Matrix will not show it since the fares that Matrix shows are those that can be sold outside of Australia rather than those within
For domestic travel , all fares are based as one ways
Oct 26, 2017, 8:40 pm
#12
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How do you find the fare class on Qantas.com ?
No, but they do have a "Same Day" change policy for bookings made online.
Same Day No Mistake | Qantas
Cancel Flights | Qantas
Oct 28, 2017, 3:16 am
#13
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I am also often in the same situation.
So for the Op, the same day fare change could be the go, as it say “change fare type”. Book a ticket then call for it to be changed to the right fare for BA maximum earning. I am not sure what would be easier, booking fixed and asking for flex in YBH or booking flex which usually ends up in M and asking for a higher fare, which has no difference in restrictions.
Other option would be of course a travel agent.
Ultimately, you want the cheapest fare that gets 20 TP or work out the up sell to /I/ or /D/.
I think that would be easier than scripts and messing around in the internet.
KF
So for the Op, the same day fare change could be the go, as it say “change fare type”. Book a ticket then call for it to be changed to the right fare for BA maximum earning. I am not sure what would be easier, booking fixed and asking for flex in YBH or booking flex which usually ends up in M and asking for a higher fare, which has no difference in restrictions.
Other option would be of course a travel agent.
Ultimately, you want the cheapest fare that gets 20 TP or work out the up sell to /I/ or /D/.
I think that would be easier than scripts and messing around in the internet.
KF