Rip off Christmas Airfares

[bugeye29]

Well, I managed to get a job after 3 months out of work but the company closes at Christmas for 2 weeks so, I thought I would go to Bangkok or Manila for the 2 weeks

That is until I found out that the Airlines basically double the price of tickets over that period where i would normally pay approx A$ 1,000 for a return to Manila they want A$ 1,845 over the Christmas period for the same trip.!! Bangkok is A$ 2,000 bloody hell !!!

Needless to say I will not be going as

A) i am behind financially from being unemployed

B) I hate to be blatantly ripped off

So the Airlines can......

[azza33]

hey buddy

If you wanna fly at xmas you need to book ahead...

I got melbourne - bangkok - phuket to melbourne for less than $900 AUD ... flying jetstar and air asia.

[bugeye29]

yeah i know I have to book ahead but being unemployed I was not going to buy a ticket as I had no idea as to how long I would have been out of work.

I went to the Philippines about 4 years ago at Christmas and yes I booked by mid year and it was about $ 1,000 normal price.

My point is that it is bullshit how the prices double !

[azza33]

yeah it sucks no doubt....

Supply & demand .... If only Christianity didnt exist

[TEXASMAC]

What does Christianity have to do with the COMMERCIAL called Christmas?

[bugeye29]

(TEXASMAC @ Sep. 22 2012,10:34) What does Christianity have to do with the COMMERCIAL called Christmas?  

How true that comment is.

[rxpharm]

Unfortunately this is traditional airline strategy - raise prices during high season and discount during low season. The only hope would be if you could score a late or last minute seat sale. Hope something will work out for you!

[bugeye29]

rxpharm, that is my thinking I will check many web sites and hope i can get a last minute deal.

Fortunatly work have said they are flexible on the dates a few days either way will be fine.

My preference is Bangkok, with Manila / Cebu second choice. I have not been to Thailand so if i get a flight I will be requiring some advice from the experienced members here.

[Tomcat]

If the Airlines didnt charge extra in the peak season they would be out of business and no one would fly anywhere . All systems are evil but i suppose that Capitalism is the least evil

Hotels work on the same system and in Vegas the price changes every day depending on occupancy

[anicon]

... you can expect this at Xmas time because that's when all the asians that are working or living overseas return home for the holidays to visit their famlies or relatives; they usually book these flights months ahead of when they plan to leave... if I leave SFO in Dec. it's usually all Filipinos & Chinese on the plane..

..oh & I would recommend BKK or Patts over Manila during the holidays since it is a Christian holiday & most all Filipinos are Catholic, so unless you have someone lined up the bar scene isn't the same since a lot of the working girls go home for the holidays too.. you'll find a lot more action in Thailand than you will in the Philippines during that 2 weeks but that's just my experience there during that time.

[TEXASMAC]

Good Lck and hope you find a flight. Looking for work is more stressful than work so you probably need some R & LB.

[bugeye29]

Your correct Tex, the problem with no work was I spent a huge amount of my savings staying afloat ( lots of stress there ), I have had the 3 years from hell work wise, hopefully this new job will be long term.

Anicon yep, I definatly want to go to Thailand, if I cannot get a flight arranged I will aim for March /April next year.

[seamus]

I checked the fares one year on Xmas eve, to fly Xmas day, arrive 26th, they were almost back to normal ,worth a punt............................good luck.

[Tomcat]

(bugeye29 @ Sep. 21 2012,22:26) Bangkok is A$ 2,000 bloody hell !!!

I assume that your "turning left" at this price

[TEXASMAC]

I got $1300.00 from Dallas to BKK on 10-20-12. The cheapest of my now 7th trip. 21 days 12 hours to wheels up !