I somehow managed to get flights one way to Manila from Australia for $1251 for 3 people. And I booked 2 days in advance on Scoot.
However coming back it looks like it may cost $3000 plus!
How can they do this? I remember it used to be cheaper for the return leg of the flight. I'm thinking to try Cebu Pacific to Sydney and get an onward flight to Brisbane. Still expensive but.
It's also similar to fly from Singapore back to Australia.
I wonder if they have my search history and have jacked the prices?
Yes, they have an entire team dedicated to you at the office.
Ummm… it’s a fairly widely known thing they do. They use cookies etc to track clicks and interactions and use an algorithm to determine at what point to bump up prices.
Ever noticed how you’re looking at flights and holidays at home for ages, go to work, check them and they’re cheaper? Also works in the opposite way, if you look for the same search terms on say 10 different computers, the price will bump up because it detects “demand” for that flight.
So, you are technically correct, they would indeed have an entire office dedicated to these shenanigans!
Ever noticed how you’re looking at flights and holidays at home for ages, go to work, check them and they’re cheaper?
No, as anyone with a brain uses incognito mode.
Ummm… it’s a fairly widely known thing they do. They use cookies etc to track clicks and interactions and use an algorithm to determine at what point >to bump up prices.
Ever noticed how you’re looking at flights and holidays at home for ages, go to work, check them and they’re cheaper? Also works in the opposite way, >if you look for the same search terms on say 10 different computers, the price will bump up because it detects “demand” for that flight.
So, you are technically correct, they would indeed have an entire office dedicated to these shenanigans!
No, it's a widely speculated thing they do but it doesn't actually happen, at least not at any major airlines. I worked for airlines for over 10 years in a number of roles specialising in the systems used to adjust prices/demand. Almost all airlines use a Global Distribution System (GDS) to manage their inventory and these systems are designed to work in a way that makes individual pricing based on cookies impossible. Travel agents, both physical and online, also use one of these systems to read available inventory and make reservations. All of the GDS manage inventory in a similar way because if they didn't it would mean that airline would be unable to sell their flights via partner airlines or travel agencies which is a far bigger hit to their profits than not tracking @davelarz browser history.
This can happen but I don’t think it does with flights. I have a vague memory of something like this happening to me over 10years ago but can’t remember if it was flights or accommodation. To be sure search in a private browser window, if you need to be logged in use a different account. That’s what I did on that occasion and the price came down.
Airlines are avid users of cookies
When I last flew Jetstar, I had to pay for them though.
Work out their profit margin, double it and then add the CEO's wage on top! Fuel is always pre purchased 18 to 24 months ahead and so has limited impact!
Period? Might coincide with the busy expected travelers return to Australia, hence they are charging more.
They are a for profit airline, just like any other airline.
Book earlier next time
Hence the proverb, don't go to the grocery store hungry. It just never goes well.
That's just not true, I get all the junk food bargains when I am hungry.
Is $3000+$1251 still cheaper than cost of a return flights from any other air lines for the same time frame? if its Yes. You are good.
people transiting in asia from europe
There is bigger demand going from Asia to Australia than Australia to Asia
You could try either VPN to a Phillipines server to see if the price changes, or wait until you're over there to book the flight back.
I am in the Philippines now. We flew in on a one way ticket.
Are you saying you bought a one-way ticket, travelled overseas, and are now there trying to find a cheap way home but are surprised that it is more expensive than you want?
Wow - talk about leaping before you look.
I am not surprised the flights are expensive - you took a massive risk.
Certain routes have better pricing than others as the routing is less desirable or else longer stop overs!
@Ade99: What routes are these? I've tried many different ones already. I'd be happy to go via Bangkok or Hong Kong if it would save money but it doesn't.
Thought you needed an exit flight outta Manila before they let you in
Im married to a Filipina. I can enter on a one way ticket with her. Also get free 12 month visa.
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/821408/ret…
Holiday checklist…
✅ Post on forums
❌book return flights
0️⃣enjoy holiday
Cebu Airlines - MNL to SYD - Sept 26/28, Oct 12/14/17/19/21/24/26/28/31 $390 Direct Flight to Sydney.
I suggest you use Google Flights to search to get an idea on the cheapest day.
Perhaps OP looking to return to home just as everyone else is, time where end of a school holiday or xmas break? Hence higher price on flights to Aus?
Been looking on skyscanner. Also in Siargao and it costs a bit to get to Manila or Cebu.
How did you get from Manila to Siargao?
Bobokingdom has found you $390 flights from Manila to Sydney; that's about what you paid.
But if it was me I would roll the dice and fly Air Niugini and fly from Manila to Brisbane (via 5.5hr stop over in Port Moresby). Adventure. $676pp 10/10/22 for example.
You are trying to get to Brisbane, right?
We flew to Siargao. That was extra $500 for 3 people. There are no $390 flights from Manila to Sydney. When I checked it I think around $490 each. Then got to get to Brisbane or Gold Coast.
Check out the Scoot website (they generally do a Davao - Singapore - Australia leg). Input the dates you like and then click on "See whole month" option. Should give you a rough idea of the cheapest flights for the whole period.
I found Davao to Gold Coast via Singapore on September 28. It's 42,594 pesos which works out to more than $1100 each so $3300 plus.
The pilot flies the plane against the rotation of the earth so the additional wind resistance causes the plane to burn more fuel than normal. That extra fuel is reflected in the price of your ticket. My friend's cousin's uncle is a pilot and he swears that it's true. 😊
This friend's cousin's uncle is a Flat Earther
If the earth is flat what way does it rotate? Forward or backwards?
It rotates like a disc - he mentioned it's in the 'clockwise' direction or something. So If you jump straight up (and stay up in the air long enough), you might find that you're in another country when you come back down. True story.
Chinese airlines have disappeared from the market, so less competition. Oil price is higher. Pent up demand from 2 years of COVID restrictions.
I had a look at Google Flights for a holiday & some of the prices are bonkers. Prices are high & good deals are few & far between.
I feel the same. I think it is because of the reasons stated by Cluster above that flight prices for all airlines are jumping up. For example I checked AirAsia flights from Melbourne to KL return for flights on January2023 to July 2023, their prices are horribly higher than before precovid . scoots are still alright around $450.00, but they no direct flight to KL, have to stop over in Singapore for many hours.
I got 2x return tix to Seoul via Manila over xmas for $2200 about 6 weeks ago.
You just booked too late I think.
I've heard large cruise ships regularly dock in Manila to refresh crews.
Maybe you could get a job on a cruise ship and hitch a ride back to Oz? Might have to turn over a few cabins en-route though.
I'm considering it. Maybe my wife could work while I watch my son. She's Filipino. Any idea where to apply and how much they pay? How long does it take to get to Australia?
However coming back it looks like it may cost $3000 plus!
How can they do this?
Supply/Demand… Let me guess, your return flight falls over a 'holiday' period?
When/what are the holidays? Are they ending soon?
school holidays, easter holidays, long weekends, xmas time etc. They are all costly times to fly as that is when everyone wants to fly.
So when are you wanting to fly?
School holidays start next week for 2 weeks. You would find domestic flights to be expensive.
Always use a vpn when investigating prices of flights and hotels just make sure your vpn is located in your destination country. This can help you discover if the Australia tax applies and avoid it where it is present.
Currently there are more people in Philippines that want to come to Australia than people in Australia that want to go to Philippines.
I just book return tix for my parents for next month cost $2750 “each” KTM-ADL via KL with Malaysian Airlines. Used to cost $800- $1200. Now cost $2k-3k. I don’t know why so expensive everything??
Post covid, higher fuel prices, high demand, less crew (airline staff found more stable jobs during the covid shut down) and fewer airlines (some got bankrupt), more people with big travel budget (since haven't been travelling) and gates open need to travel at a cost inc yourself.
If it’s not urgent to go overseas at the moment I would wait awhile until more flights are scheduled, to much uncertainty, in regards to staff shortages etc etc, it will eventually get back to normal probably sometime next year!
OP is already there looking to come home.
Opps I guess if he reads my post he may keep that in mind for next time !!
Yes, lesson learnt.
Forward flights outside holiday period, return flights in holiday period maybe? Without dates, how can we tell?
Next few days.
We ended up finding seats on Scoot. Paid $3600 to Sydney plus $837 on Virgin to Gold Coast.
They make a up a price, and then assign it to a flight.