Qatar 2-for-1 offer, confused...

owen22

I was already signed up to their e-mail alert for this offer (it was due to start earlier this month due was delayed due to 'technical difficulties' on their website).

I clicked on the link in the e-mail (which you have to use to get the '2-for1' offer) but I don't see where this level of saving is made...

I selected every flight between London and Bangkok between 01/05 and 14/06 and the cheapest flight quoted, which specifically stated the fare was reduced by 50% as part of the offer, was £210 fare + £231 tax = £441.00.

When I select the identical same flights through the normal homepage, therefore not having the offer applied, the price quoted is £235 fare + £250.43 tax = £485.43.

I make that a saving of 9%...

Can anyone explain this to me or point out what I'm doing wrong?

Voyager2002

owen22 wrote: »

Can anyone explain this to me or point out what I'm doing wrong?

Your mistake is to believe what the airline is telling you.

Either way, you are being offered a reasonable fare, so go for it.

bcl999

You may have selected the same flights but were they actually the same fare code? They probably have some full-price fare which they are using as the "usual" price for the "2for1" offer which allows them to say that it is reduced by 50%. I am just guessing on this given my own experience of these supposed "deals" which companies offer.

I do wonder why the tax is different if it's the same flights though. Is all travel in the same cabin class?

richardw

Check Eva Air flight prices through a travel agent as a comparison and check the connection times at Doha for the Qatar flights and assess if they are practical.

bcl999

Another thread on this subject here https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3170010

owen22

Voyager2002 wrote:

Either way, you are being offered a reasonable fare, so go for it.

Actually their 'special rate' fare is more or less similar to what other airlines are charging... some more expensive but also some cheaper.

The frustrating thing is that making this trip in May/June would be the most inconvenient time I can go so I hoped that Qatar's offer would give me a some more options.

If the offer had even been a saving of around 20% (less than half of the saving their were advertising) I would have bitten their hand off!

Their loss as me & my family will now probably go with Etihad in July!

jamesbrownontheroad

The 2-4-1 fare is not based on the cheapest promotional economy fare that you will likely see if you search for one person. It's based on one of the more expensive economy buckets, which is offered alongside other fare options when you make a normal booking.

ironlady2022

you pay for one fare but 2 sets of taxes are still payable. Hence it doesn't seem like 2 4 1. It is very cheap for last minute though. I booked a flight to Hong Kong for £401pp and it's gone up to £596 on the website today.