Today we are learning about ‘extortion’. Or, more precisely, airline ticket prices. Keen observers of this diary may have noticed that the boss and I are planning a trip to the UK this year. It is necessary, as I believe weddings by telephone are not strictly legal, and without being there I will not be able to see the lovely outfits everyone will have purchased to fit in with the theme of ‘expensive and glamorous’.
So I’ve been researching flight times and ticket prices. We need to leave Australia at the end of June but have no fixed schedule to return down under. We would really like to travel business class because, well, why should I suffer in cattle class? I have a bucket load of Qantas frequent flyer points and an aversion to ever using their airline again so we have the perfect plan – buy an economy class ticket and upgrade using my frequent flyer points. This is where the plot thickens because, according to the money grabbers at Qantas their economy fares are as follows;
- 1 way, economy, 11th February, 2002 – $1481.78
- 1 way, economy, 1st July, 2002 – $2191.78
But the business class fares, in comparison, are;
- 1 way, business, 11th February, 2002 – $6343.78
- 1 way, economy, 1st July, 2002 – $6343.78
Leading me to the conclusion that all airlines are extortionists. Its also interesting to note that business class fares do not vary, but economy class prices are very seasonal.
At these sort of prices I’m tempted to walk. I know its a long way, but really.