alex67500

Hi,

I'm looking for a (self-funded) trip out to Vegas for a conference in March next year. I've been toying around with booking CW and upgrading to F on the way out since there seems to be availability. I've played with ITA Matrix quite a bit, and suddenly today all the prices have gone up (although the loads haven't changed). Is there a special 180-day out rule which I just missed? Or am I inflating the prices by trying dozens of combinations with Matrix? -- It's a 3-day conference mid-week so I'm looking at all sorts of routings for the way back...

Also, I tried with BA's low fare finder for CW, and getting out from LHR, back to LGW, it seems my ticket is in the I bucket, and it says no upgrades. Is that normal? Including Avios?

Thanks.
(Newbie Alex)

Sixth Freedom

My guess would be that the Revenue Management Analyst handling the route looks six months ahead rather than a year and, seeing your conference, made the appropriate changes.

In respect of upgrades, in this context it means that I class cannot be upgraded to another fare valid for travel in Club World. You can see it as another way of saying no changes, no refunds because if they did not have such a rule another passenger would be able to upgrade to J, C, D or R and then change the ticket under the conditions of those fares. You can still upgrade with Avios or under an airport special, if either of those options are available.

Gshumway

Considering there are constantly conferences in Lost Wages, I don't really think that is so easy to say ;-)

I will be there for the second time this year on a conference related trip, VMware VMworld this time.

Globaliser

Without knowing the details of what you were trying to price, it's impossible to be sure whether this is the cause, but yes: the cheapest CW fares have a 6m AP. The easiest way to test this is to price similar trips one week and two weeks later than your desired trip.Bad news: the first answer is yes.

Good news: the second answer is no. The "no upgrades" rule applies to cash upgrades. Upgrades using Avios are fine.

Calchas

I think the DIF fares are non upgradable?

Anonba

alex67500

Thanks for all your answers. I'll book that today then. And I'll keep learning!!

First time in First, thanks to this place and a couple of blogs, I'll send special thanks from the front of the plane :-)

To come back on the revenue management piece, it's not really a high profile conference, there'll be 50 people, and only 4 from the UK (maybe 15 from Europe) so I don't think it'll impact the pricing.

Sixth Freedom

I have never seen this before, at least flying eastbound. Is it market specific - I have little interest in flying west from Heathrow? And is it well established or a new thing?

mikeyfly

Pretty much all main USA routes have 180+ days reasonable pricing in CW - Ł1350-1600 - departures mid week - when used to UuA into F it's a very decent price. Of course can be reduced starting in INV (although ending in LHR is fine...) and can be paid gradually if you add car or hotel …. I am sure you know this having been around here for so long

Globaliser

You're the airline revenue engineer. I thought you might know the answers better than we do.

Sixth Freedom

Aye! But it's been a while since I was looking at traditional pricing and revenue management and years since I did any fares benchmarking. I am into other (much more exciting!) revenue stuff these days, which depending on your perspective is either PRM's replacement or it's next generation - perhaps I should change my signature!

My question still stands - is the six month advance purchase to the USA a new thing?

alex67500

Actually, side question: is there a sale usually in September? Should I wait for my second TATL trip?

Globaliser

Depends what you mean by new. It's certainly been around for many months now.

Sixth Freedom

Months rather than years always counts as a new thing in aviation. Thank you.