Price comparison flights

[bastonjock]

I checked out the price for a flight from london to davao during april 2019 the quotes are around 550 gb pound's 

On exactly the same dates flying from davao to London the quotes are 850 gb pounds 

Same trip in different directions same airline costs 300 quid more , i assume this is becsuse of some kind of tourist concession 

[JJReyes]

There is no way to explain how airlines price their tickets. The math is way too complicated.

First thing to do is login "incognito" or erase the cookies in your computer.  The airlines know your purchasing habits and they will try to maximize the selling price. 

Next. Visit multiple sites and leave an information trail without buying. You will start receiving ads and one might be within the price range that is acceptable. The airlines have to fill their seats and it is better for someone to pay half price than fly with an seat empty.

Lastly. Check other options. The search engines play favorites and they list preferred carriers (those paying the best commissions). Others are left out, so search less familiar websites. I would also check wholesalers. For example 65% of ALL United Airlines seats from Japan to the United States are presold to two tour operators. These seats are then sold as part of a package tour through retailers. United Airlines offers very little discount for the remaining 35%. The tour wholesale operator has to sell because the seat is already been paid (probably less than $200 round trip).

I don't know who are the wholesalers in the Philippines, but there should be one or two per major airline.

[Dave Hounddriver]

55 minutes ago, JJReyes said:

Check other options.

Agreed.  I booked an Air Canada flight from Hong Kong to Vancouver and back through a Hong Kong based travel agent at a much cheaper price than I would have got from a Canadian site or from Air Can itself.  They dump tickets there for cheap.

[Jollygoodfellow]

4 hours ago, bastonjock said:

On exactly the same dates flying from davao to London the quotes are 850 gb pounds 

Outbound from the Philippines is always more. I believe it's the airport terminal fee now known as the International Passenger Service Charge (IPSC). 

[Old55]

This question has come up before, it’s a good topic. I can’t find the old one to link.

Have you asked a local ticket agent? They may save you some $$$$. Ask for a promo price be flexible in itinerary or layovers. 

JJ is correct, here in the States and I would think overseas too some ticket/travel  agencies buy bulk airline tickets as a commodity. Those agencies are known as ticket consolidators or bucket shops. They also may provide lower price.

[Gary D]

When my wife and son travelled to the UK one way I waited until London opened then bought thr tickets over the phone. A lot cheaper than buying the same tickets in the Philippines. It's to do with competition.

[Lou49]

I tried the online fare/booking search thing on several different websites last month, aware of the cookie thing, best fare i could come up with was about 2100 cad. which i thought was outrageous. Went to a travel agent and she found me a fare of about 1200cad. It only cost 40 bucks for the service.

[JJReyes]

Before the Internet, both Hong Kong and London were known as bucket shops for inexpensive tickets. Maybe this is still true.  From the Philippines, it was cheaper to fly to Hong Kong at a cheap rate and then book international tickets. As mentioned by Jollygoodfellow, one possible reason for higher Philippine prices are the government taxes.

By the way, according to several newspaper articles, the best time to purchase tickets is 60 to 90 days before your desired departure date.

[Jollygoodfellow]

30 minutes ago, JJReyes said:

before your desired departure date.

But not many desire to depart let alone choose the date but I guess it's cheaper to know as you can pre arrange the funeral and choose your own coffin.  

[JJReyes]

33 minutes ago, Jollygoodfellow said:

But not many desire to depart let alone choose the date but I guess it's cheaper to know as you can pre arrange the funeral and choose your own coffin.  

Don't forget. Many airlines offer a bereavement fare. Remains are transported as cargo in a sealed aluminum coffin.