Discounted Fares on Domestic Flights

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jonasei

Barker

Joined: May 02, 2006
Posts: 164
Location: Shanghai
Status: Offline

Posted: Sep 13, 2007 - 03:31 PM
Post subject: Discounted Fares on Domestic Flights

What circumstances trigger domestic airfare discounts? Domestic airlines publish a standard fare to a given destination, then, for no reason I can understand, start discounting in increments of 5%. What factors determine discounts? Is it smarter to book far in advance or wait until the week of intended travel?

Snippets

PopStar

Joined: Apr 09, 2005
Posts: 1100

Status: Offline

Posted: Sep 13, 2007 - 03:33 PM

Book in advance and you will get a bigger discount.

I am sure there are exceptions to this rule, but the norm is the the earlier you buy, the cheaper the ticket.

jonasei

Barker

Joined: May 02, 2006
Posts: 164
Location: Shanghai
Status: Offline

Posted: Sep 13, 2007 - 03:40 PM

Surprisingly, this has not been my experience in China. I have booked next day travel at deep discounts, and weeks in advance with no discount. This is why I am confused.

helen86_1

Seeker

Joined: Apr 12, 2007
Posts: 52

Status: Offline

Posted: Sep 13, 2007 - 06:02 PM

For international flight ticket, in 80% situation, the earlier you buy, the cheaper the ticket, but for domestic flight ticket, normailly to buy earliest two weeks ago, or one week ago, you might get better price than you bought 1 month ago(except some airlines have special rate for the ticket issued 15 days before departure). But this regulation is not for peak travelling period, such as national holiday, May holiday and spring festival.

Helen (business.helen@yahoo.com.cn)

maximus1

Reacher

Joined: June 18, 2007
Posts: 225
Location: Jing'An
Status: Offline

Posted: Sep 13, 2007 - 06:13 PM

went into air china office the other day and they said that discounts begin 10 days prior to departure (for domestic flights). buy before then, and you get no discounts.