Cheap fares available in Shanghai, what is the catch?

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BrianMennis

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Joined: Apr 12, 2004
Posts: 22

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Posted: Dec 01, 2004 - 10:33 AM
Post subject: Cheap fares available in Shanghai, what is the catch?

I am currently involved in a discussion (!!!!!!) with my employer over refund of the return half of my air fares to Brisbane. My return air fare, bought some 11 months ago in Brisbane was 17000RMB by Japan Airlines. Return half therefore should be 8500RMB.

However, All these cheap fares that now seem to be available from Shanghai to anywhere are being trotted out as a reason why they should not pay 8500. Shanghai to Brisbane is quoted as 5100RMB return. When I checked this morning, single fares to Brisbane were 5920 via Singapore on Singapore Airlines, and 4500 via Hong Kong on some carrier to HK and then by Qantas to Brisbane. Qantas is most certainly not a low cost airline, unless it is its new offshoot Australian. While Singaspore is not too bad, I cannot see it being that cheap.

While the single fares are probably low enough, the return fare of 5100 seems unbelievable. given the price of fuel etc.

What is the catch. does anybody know. Are the seats very limited, waitlist only, or what.

Pardon me for being skeptical, But I do not know how any of the regular airlines can sell seats at these prices.

Brian Mennis

comradeA

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Joined: May 07, 2004
Posts: 361
Location: in the old house behind Plaza 66
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Posted: Dec 01, 2004 - 12:50 PM

Aside from the fact or myth about ridiculously cheap fares to anywhere... When you buy a round trip ticket and cannot use the return leg and you try to refund that "half" of the ticket with the airline... You will get much less than a half of the original price back... I'd say check with the airline how much you will get back on your ticket if you refunded it...

If they will not pay you half of your ticket's price, maybe they can pay for half of your next round trip back home if your are prevented from finishing your first trip due to business reasons?