PER-SYD-CBR cheaper than PER-SYD

Pigey on 18/09/2014 - 16:39
Last edited 18/09/2014 - 19:31

Ok I'm looking to book a flight from Perth to Sydney but have come across this discrepancy. I've actually seen it a few times, but never really questioned it.

It's about $80 more expensive for me to book a direct Perth to Sydney flight compared to a Perth to Canberra flight via Sydney with the exact same first leg.

I'm travelling without check-in luggage so what do you guys think I should do? Just book Perth to Sydney and pay $80 more or book Perth to Canberra and when I get to Sydney just leg it and/or let Customer Service know I won't be taking the second flight.

Anyone know why this happens? It happens a lot with flights overseas as well. So not just restricted to Perth.

Virgin Australia
VA552
05:30 PER Perth Departure 4h 20
11:50 SYD Sydney Kingsford Smith Destination
Arrives: Thu, 25 Sep 2014 Journey duration: 4h 20

$408 (Travel2Be) / $467 (Virgin Site)

Virgin Australia
VA552
05:30 PER Perth Departure 4h 20
11:50 SYD Sydney Kingsford Smith Destination

Connect in airport
Connection 0h 45
Virgin Australia
VA646
Operated by Skywest
12:35 SYD Sydney Kingsford Smith Departure 1h
13:35 CBR Canberra Destination
Arrives: Thu, 25 Sep 2014 Journey duration: 6h 05

$337(Travel2Be) / $387 (Virgin site)

Poll Options

  • 0
    Book Perth to Sydney and pay $80 more
  • 23
    Book Perth to Canberra via Sydney and abandon final leg
Travel

Comments

  • rambutann on 18/09/2014 - 16:41

    i've always questioned this.. if you only have carry on then you could abandon the final leg but ye.. if not probably not.

  • jrad0 on 18/09/2014 - 17:07
    +3

    As far as I know (relating to international flights in particular) you can forfeit a flight for free, in your case, the leg from SYD-CBR. The charges in the fine print for a no show are if you try to claim a refund on the unused flight. If you don't rock up to the flight, I cant see how it would be an issue if you don't try to claim anything. Maybe call flight centre, ask them to price match and then query the fare difference and see what they say?

  • davohatcher on 18/09/2014 - 17:45
    +5

    As long as you are booking a one way flight and have not booked a return ticket. (Not taking the SYD-CBR will void all other legs) Just take your carry-on and leave the terminal in Sydney simple as that. You will not be charged a No Show fee because you are not claiming a missed flight etc.

    • jzdhgkd on 18/09/2014 - 21:12
      +1

      (Not taking the SYD-CBR will void all other legs)

      This is probably the most important point here - make sure it's a one way and not a return otherwise they can (will?) cancel the rest of your booked flights!

  • [Deactivated] on 18/09/2014 - 18:54
    +1

    Wow thats weird!

    Why on earth would it be cheaper to fly further? If anyone can shed some light I'd be much obliged.

    • Peck on 18/09/2014 - 20:03

      Cuts out some of the competition and puts bums into empty seats. EG It is cheaper to fly with Vietnam Airlines Sydney - Ho Chi Minh City - Bangkok, than Sydney - Ho Chi Minh City

  • Pigey on 18/09/2014 - 19:33
    +4

    Ok just did some research. It's called Hidden City Ticketing.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airline_booking_ploys
    http://airfareiq.com/home/rules

    Don't do it too often otherwise you might get in trouble?

    • adamren on 19/09/2014 - 00:22

      I've heard that too, though it's an American thing, not sure if Australian airlines (we only have like 5) keep a blacklist of serial offenders/abusers.

    • OutOfComplaintForms on 19/09/2014 - 00:41

      The worst that can happen is an airline staff member escorting you to your connecting flight to make sure you board :).

  • chonghe on 18/09/2014 - 21:01

    learn something.
    Just curious though, when would someone search for hidden city ticketing?
    I mean, usually people will only search for A-B, then how to know if there is "available cheaper" hidden city ticket?

    • [Deactivated] on 18/09/2014 - 22:44

      Thats why I wanted to know the mechanisms of the 'discount' cheers davluong!

  • Pigey on 19/09/2014 - 02:42

    Wow for any Perth people wanting to go to Melbourne for Grand Final Weekend on Virgin, you can save over $100 doing the same thing for the Thursday / Friday flights.

  • travelwiz on 11/02/2015 - 09:50

    in & out of Canberra(BCR) rarely cheap fares

    Why ?

    Cos public servants & business types going to see public servants don't care what airfare is paid, as in most cases, not a personal expense.

    As Canberra is fed public service HQ, it makes fares to Canberra the highest in the country BY FAR per km on average.

    A mate was trying to go to a Bledisloe Cup game in MEL from BNE a while ago.

    He had a million Qantas ff points, but no direct flights left, unless he went via CBR (it was on a weekend & public servants don't generally fly weekends) So he grabbed that option (he had to sit in Qanats CLub for 90 mins in CBR).

    Another mate of his, wanted to fly with him but pay with $$$. Fare was $1200 return ( even more on nonstop services as it was last minute - 2 weeks out)

    The catch with a PER/SYD/CBR & getting off in SYD fare is the airline could reroute you PER/MEL/CBR or PER/BNE/CBR & where does that leave you ? you can't complain to airline,as they would still be getting you to CBR around same time.

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