Why are single legs so 'crazy high' priced

We are taking a transatlantic voyage on the QM2 later this year.
It's a great way to visit our daughter who lives in the States.
However the problem when we do this is the single leg flight back.
Why do Virgin charge such crazy prices for a single leg.
For example - single leg prices in November for the journey Newark to Heathrow are UC 5940 PE 1524 ECO 785.
Whereas Continental's price for the same single leg in Business class is 595.
It seems a nonsense for Virgin to price so highly - does anyone know why?
P S We are travelling Continental!

I believe it's because you have to pay full fare (ie no discounted prices) for a one way ticket.

[Neil]

Because you are having to buy a fully flexible ticket for one way travel.

Neil

Ok Neil
But why do you have to pay for a fully flexible ticket simply because you want to travel one way.
I see no logic in that.
Cheers
Fairphil - does not think that policy is 'fair'

[Neil]

quote:Originally posted by Fairphil
Ok Neil
But why do you have to apy for a fully flexible ticket simply because you want to travel one way.
I see no logic in that.
Cheers
Navylark


Why? That I don't know myself, but it is just the way it is, I do know cruise companies can help on these issues though.

It is the same on the trains also, always cheaper to buy an advanced return than a one way ticket.

quote:Originally posted by Neil


It is the same on the trains also, always cheaper to buy an advanced return than a one way ticket.


Strangely on National express east coast or whatever its called now its cheaper to buy advanced singles than an advanced return.[?]

[Neil]

quote:Originally posted by jaguarpig
quote:Originally posted by Neil


It is the same on the trains also, always cheaper to buy an advanced return than a one way ticket.


Strangely on National express east coast or whatever its called now its cheaper to buy advanced singles than an advanced return.[?]


That's probably because the Government/Tax payer is covering the costs now [}:)]

quote:Originally posted by jaguarpig
quote:Originally posted by Neil


It is the same on the trains also, always cheaper to buy an advanced return than a one way ticket.


Strangely on National express east coast or whatever its called now its cheaper to buy advanced singles than an advanced return.[?]


Same with Great Western, cheaper to buy two advanced singles than a return.

quote:Originally posted by Fairphil
But why do you have to pay for a fully flexible ticket simply because you want to travel one way.
I see no logic in that.


There are a few alledged reasons why airlines do this, such as:

- it's a legacy from the old days when forecasting yield etc. was much more deifficult
- because it helps protect yield
- because they assume you're a business traveller who needs to go and may need to be flexible
- because in some countries a one way ticket leads to immigration questions

Or:

- because they can!

Enjoy your CO flight - you'll get a better meal [B)].

[fozzyo]

Can you not book a return and just not use the return portion? I know you must use the outbound otherwise this invalidates the return. So as long as the first leg is the flight you want should be ok and save you a few pennies.

On trains a return often costs only or or two pounds more!

We previously booked a Transatlantic on the QM2(cancelled later) and Cunard booked the flight out with Virgin. It was an excellent price, just a little more money than half a return ticket.

However we are now booked with another company and have to find flights ourselves and it is quite frightening to see the quoted fares.

We are actually thinking of doing the return on the QM2 as at least you get 6 nights accommodation. Might look into Continental though having seen your post.

Most airlines charge fully flex tickets for one-way, not sure why but I know heaps of people that have done a dummy return date, worth checking that out.

DMB

quote:Originally posted by fozzyo
Can you not book a return and just not use the return portion? I know you must use the outbound otherwise this invalidates the return. So as long as the first leg is the flight you want should be ok and save you a few pennies.

On trains a return often costs only or or two pounds more!


I have booked a return and only used the inwards portion below - I told the airline (both CS and BA) that I WONT be doing the outward one and there has never been an issue.

Regards,

Hackneyguy

quote:Originally posted by Neil
quote:Originally posted by jaguarpig
quote:Originally posted by Neil


It is the same on the trains also, always cheaper to buy an advanced return than a one way ticket.


Strangely on National express east coast or whatever its called now its cheaper to buy advanced singles than an advanced return.[?]


That's probably because the Government/Tax payer is covering the costs now [}:)]


Nope, it's often been cheaper buying two single train tickets in advance for a few years now.

quote:Originally posted by hackneyguy
quote:Originally posted by fozzyo
Can you not book a return and just not use the return portion? I know you must use the outbound otherwise this invalidates the return. So as long as the first leg is the flight you want should be ok and save you a few pennies.

On trains a return often costs only or or two pounds more!


I have booked a return and only used the inwards portion below - I told the airline (both CS and BA) that I WONT be doing the outward one and there has never been an issue.

Regards,

Hackneyguy


I have advised the airline a client wouldn't be taking their outbound and they have advised that you can not use the flights out of sequence, and that has been my understanding for all airlines. If you do not use your outward sector they auto cancel your return.

Dominic

quote:Originally posted by DMetters-Bone
quote:Originally posted by hackneyguy
quote:Originally posted by fozzyo
Can you not book a return and just not use the return portion? I know you must use the outbound otherwise this invalidates the return. So as long as the first leg is the flight you want should be ok and save you a few pennies.

On trains a return often costs only or or two pounds more!


I have booked a return and only used the inwards portion below - I told the airline (both CS and BA) that I WONT be doing the outward one and there has never been an issue.

Regards,

Hackneyguy


I have advised the airline a client wouldn't be taking their outbound and they have advised that you can not use the flights out of sequence, and that has been my understanding for all airlines. If you do not use your outward sector they auto cancel your return.

Dominic


I can only speak from my personal expiences and as I said I have done it - I only ever book flights myself not via a third party.

It may be diffent if booked through a TA [:?] Or we were lucky (twice)[:w]

Hackbeyguy

I was flying on my normal K fare as my company didn't like me travelling on a flexible fare and my plans changed. I was amazed how expensive a OW ticket was. Like the OP, I noticed that Continental offer excellent OW fares. The other option is a mileage redemption Probably the most cost-effective way!

[Scrooge]

quote:Originally posted by jafleming
The other option is a mileage redemption Probably the most cost-effective way!


When we were looking at doing a TA that's exactly what I figured on doing, the other way of course is to book a RT, take the out bound and forget about the inbound. There have been cases where the airline has gone after the pax for the fare difference however.

Also, check with Cunard, they probably have the most experience of dealing with this in the cruise industry.

[HighFlyer]

I think you were lucky HG. If you dont show up for the flight the airline is well within their rights to cancel the rest of your ticket - hence why its fine to no-show on the return sector but very dodgy doing it on the outbound.

Thanks,
Sarah

you can buy IT fares through agents where you are not penalised for doing a one way.

quote:Originally posted by HighFlyer
I think you were lucky HG. If you dont show up for the flight the airline is well within their rights to cancel the rest of your ticket - hence why its fine to no-show on the return sector but very dodgy doing it on the outbound.

Thanks,
Sarah


I think you are right Highflyer. Although in my recent case I informed the Premier team that my partner would be unable to make the outward flight and was to take (and buy) another one but we would both make the return one. They made a 'record' and we were fine (I took the outward one as planned and left him in his office [:w]).

Certainly not something I would guarantee but always worth a phone call to Premier etc .

Thanks,

Hackneyguy

quote:Originally posted by HighFlyer
I think you were lucky HG. If you dont show up for the flight the airline is well within their rights to cancel the rest of your ticket - hence why its fine to no-show on the return sector but very dodgy doing it on the outbound.

Thanks,
Sarah


I think you were very lucky to have got away with it.A few years ago when BA F fares out of LIS were incredibly low, a few tried to board at LHR not taking the first leg from LIS-LHR,result canceled ticket.If it is possible to do without danger of cancellation there would be a lot of people booking ex TIP fares.

quote:Originally posted by jaguarpig
[
I think you were very lucky to have got away with it.


Just to clarify - 'I DIDNT GET away with it' - or anything else !

What I did was above board and legal - as posted, I made enquires with the airline and sought their authority. As Highflyer said I was maybe lucky with my response.

Hackneyguy

quote:What I did was above board and legal - as posted
But never the less totally against the ticket rules.

General Conditions of Carriage
General Conditions of Carriage for Passengers and Baggage - effective 1 March 2005
3c) Using flight coupons in the right sequence and changes in itinerary

3c1) Your ticket is valid only for the transportation shown on it from the place of departure through any agreed stopping places to the final place of destination. The fare you have paid is based on our tariff for the transportation shown on your ticket.
We will not honour your ticket and it will no longer be valid if you do not use all the coupons in the sequence provided in the ticket.

3c2) If you want to change all or part of your transportation, you must contact us beforehand. We will work out the revised fare for your changed transportation. You will have the option of either accepting the revised fare or maintaining your original transportation.

quote:Originally posted by jaguarpig
[quote]3c2) If you want to change all or part of your transportation, you must contact us beforehand. We will work out the revised fare for your changed transportation. You will have the option of either accepting the revised fare or maintaining your original transportation.


I am not sure why this is turning into an aurgument so my last posting on this .

1. I did contact them (as posted).

2. They allowed it (as posted).

3. They didnt charge any more to not travel on the unused leg.

Both BA and Virgin identical.