Fare finding tool - which routes to monitor?

Pete, this is a great tool and thanks.

Just one thought - if the sheer amount of data is the issue, is there any mileage in exploring more routes but less dates?

Right now, you have a percentage of routes for 11 months - how about all routes for, say, 6 months?

Or, is that not feasible...

Just a thought

[Pete]

Pete, this is a great tool and thanks.

Just one thought - if the sheer amount of data is the issue, is there any mileage in exploring more routes but less dates?

Right now, you have a percentage of routes for 11 months - how about all routes for, say, 6 months?

Or, is that not feasible...

Just a thought

That would be feasible, but I think one of the benefits of seeing the entire availability for a route is seeing all the seasonality - so you know whether it's better to travel in March vs November, for instance, without worrying about what's just over the horizon.

Hi Pete,
Great tool, although I would have loved to see
LGW/MAN - MCO on there too!!

Thanks!

Hi Pete,
Great tool, although I would have loved to see
LGW/MAN - MCO on there too!!

Thanks!

They are both there in the drop down menu of the actual tool

the-toolbox/fare-watch

[Neil]

Hi Pete,
Great tool, although I would have loved to see
LGW/MAN - MCO on there too!!

Thanks!

Those routes are already in there.
The poll at the top is just for additional routes to the already decided most popular ones like MCO and NYC etc.

Pete,

What a great tool, its actually easier to see the prices than using the VS site (at the moment)

thanks y) y)

David

Neil/Tonty,

Many thanks, should have noticed that, but having one of those days...... ii)

Fantastic tool, thanks Pete

Have I missed something? Pete mentioned it being in beta, testing phase - does that mean a few of you are testing it out or is it available yet to test for more of us????

Cat - it is available to us all (I think). Go to the top of this page, hover over "Toolbox", a list should appear, there is a new tool called "Fare Watch" just under "Schedules". Click it and hey-presto you too can beta test.

Thanks Martin!

[Pete]

Ok, an obvious addition now I think about it, but I've added a graph above the calendar view which shows you a graphical representation of the entire year (ok, 336 days) of fares.

Some graphs are more interesting than others...

Pete

LHR - SFO and LGW - MCO are of interest to me. Thanks y)

LHR - SFO and LGW - MCO are of interest to me. Thanks y)

They are already in the actual tool Suzy - just select from the drop down menu

the-toolbox/fare-watch

Pete - I like some of the little 'heart monitor' blips! I assume this allows VS to say it had fares on sale for a higher price when it comes to having a sale ! (or am I becoming cynical ): ): )

You might want to adjust the title of the poll too to say 'additional' routes to those already included.

How about a crystal ball to see when sales are going to be on???!!! ^)

How often is this updated? As hasn't reflected the changes in price due to sale ending.

[buns]

How often is this updated? As hasn't reflected the changes in price due to sale ending.

My understanding is that the feed comes from VS

buns

Being a northern flier I would love to see MAN > LAS

How often is this updated? As hasn't reflected the changes in price due to sale ending.

In looking at March UC to New York the fares have changed from the sale fares ?| .

How often is this updated? As hasn't reflected the changes in price due to sale ending.

In looking at March UC to New York the fares have changed from the sale fares ?| .

I'm looking in June to MIA and SFO UC, still out.

How often is this updated? As hasn't reflected the changes in price due to sale ending.

My understanding is that the feed comes from VS

buns

Yes, my understanding is it isn't live data and it updates from the VS feed overnight, but is that every night?

Yes, my understanding is it isn't live data and it updates from the VS feed overnight, but is that every night?

Yes but if Pete has set his system to do the searches at say 1.00 AM and the fares are updated at 3.00 AM then there will be a mismatch.

As Pete says on the farewatch blurb

Also, note that this data is collected and processed in the early hours of the morning, so some fares may no longer be available by the time you check. Always refer to latest fare on virginatlantic.com before making firm plans.

Yes but if Pete has set his system to do the searches at say 1.00 AM and the fares are updated at 3.00 AM then there will be a mismatch.

As Pete says on the farewatch blurb

Also, note that this data is collected and processed in the early hours of the morning, so some fares may no longer be available by the time you check. Always refer to latest fare on virginatlantic.com before making firm plans.

Yes, just asking how often it's updated, is it every night? Every other night?

[Pete]

Hi Hamster,

I'm updating certain fares on a less regular basis, purely so I can cover more flights without killing the server entirely. Sale fare periods ending will tend to throw the specifics, but the tool is designed more as a method of spotting which times of year is cheaper to fly. Since the query is a 7-day return, chances are your own flight requirements might be different, so the exact fare will be different. But using the 7-day return at least gives you an idea of how the pricing fluctuates without having to do all the searching yourself.

Pete

Thanks for that Pete.

It's good to know and keep in mind when using the useful tool.

LAS - MAN....would be great!

Am currently looking at $4747.40 (Economy Lowest) for 2 Adults and a 3.5 year old for Aug 12....I know it is the tail end of the Olympics but Ouch!!!!!

[Pete]

@Yorkshireman

That particular city pair is generally going to be expensive as there's not as much competition on the route. Have you considered getting a connecting flight from either London, Los Angeles or both? A drag with a 3.5 year old - I appreciate, but you'll probably save enough to afford overnights both ends to ease the journey.

Thanks Pete,

It is amazing how the prices on this route do flucctuate and at times (non-school holidays as with all routes I guess) you can get some great deals on occasion.

Additionally, as you are probably aware calling Virgin direct can always throw up one or two other options for seats. For instance, a friend of mine recently went online and looked to book an economy LGW - LAS return. Thinking that was a little steep they called Virgin direct and through them got an LGW - LAS EC and LAS - LGW PE seat for £10 more than the online return EC fare on the same flight! It does pay to research the cost of a flight thoroughly as what you see on VS is not always the better option for similar cost.

Have had a look at the LAS-LAX-UK alternatives and it is slightly cheaper but for ease in this case I might have to bite the bullet!!!

As an Silver FC card holder it might have been an option to use up my train upgrade tickets to upgrade on the journey from LHR/LGW into central london that you are given as an Ag FC member......just out of interest and I have posed the question before - what alternative if any, is there for the Silver FC who use Manchester as their VS hub?!!!!!!

Fare Finding Tool - big thumbs up!

Thanks again,

YM