Princess EZair Business Class Airfares

[TeaBag]

9 minutes ago, STLCRUISIN said:

 

Your AMA cruise from Budapest to Amsterdam sounds like it was a 14 day sailing the Danube AND Rhine?? I'll bet it truly was spectacular!!

Yes, it was 14 days.  When we passed the Lorelei Rock, the band played the song.  It was truly magnificent and people on the sides of the river who were camping came running to listen and wave as we sailed by.

Apologies to all as this is not the AMA thread. 

Thank you to all who have given great commendations for EZ air.  This is why I love Cruise Critic.

Edited October 15, 2020 by TeaBag

[Hlitner]

For those that are willing to pay the money for Business Class, it is actually possible to get a free cruise :).  Let me explain.  It is often possible to find some fantastic Business Class (and sometimes First Class) fares using EZAir or similar booking engines with HAL and Seabourn (and possible some other cruise lines).  Some of these business class fares are very special (sometimes call "P" fares) and can be about half the price of normal business class.  There are times when the deals are so good that it is cheaper to book a European or Asian cruise just to get the airfare.  The price of the cruise plus airfare can even be less then the price of simply booking business class on your own.  

 

Hank

[Kamloops50]

On 10/13/2020 at 11:31 AM, STLCRUISIN said:

Hi All, We booked a Princess cruise for next August 2021 roundtrip out of Southampton to be followed up with a Celebrity cruise from Southampton, England to Boston. I checked one-way Business Class airfares (STL-LHR) through both Princess EZair and Flights By Celebrity and Princess has, by far, the lowest fare I've ever seen for a one-way flight... over $900 less than Celebrity. Both are the same....Buy Now, Pay Later and you can cancel at any time up to 45 days and within the 45 days you get a credit.

 

Okay, so has anyone taken advantage of Princess EZair in the past, are their rates generally very good for international flights and how is it dealing with them in the event of any changes/cancellations (can you work directly with the airline). I'm looking to make sure their isn't a catch somewhere that I don't see because the one-way business class fares look too good to be true when comparing to Celebrity and directly with the airlines.

 

Thanks for your help.

no issues with them as long as Flexible fare purchased. You also purchase return fares up to 30 days after the. In other words ,you can book EzAir for after your Celebrity cruise as long as within 30 days after the end of the cruise.

[Thrak]

Sadly, even with EZ Air pricing, we are still constrained to flying "cattle class". That's one reason we flew Virgin Atlantic to Heathrow as they offer a bit better seats and other perks such as free drinks even in the cheap seats.

[AllAboardatSea]

All this is true...unless you are on a Princess casino comp. EZ Air becomes a nightmare when that's the case, as I've found out. The airfare is still flexible, technically, but you have to pay for it at booking time and they don't ticket it until the usual 90 days (or is it 45?) before departure. If you want to make a change, like cancel and rebook in case of a fare drop, it'll let you do it online but since they've already charged you for the airfare you have to wait for a refund on the previous booking. I've canceled and rebooked our EZ Air booking twice now on our comped Europe sailing for next year, and needless to say it is getting very pricey waiting for the refunds on the canceled business class reservations...

[STLCRUISIN]

21 hours ago, Hlitner said:

For those that are willing to pay the money for Business Class, it is actually possible to get a free cruise :).  Let me explain.  It is often possible to find some fantastic Business Class (and sometimes First Class) fares using EZAir or similar booking engines with HAL and Seabourn (and possible some other cruise lines).  Some of these business class fares are very special (sometimes call "P" fares) and can be about half the price of normal business class.  There are times when the deals are so good that it is cheaper to book a European or Asian cruise just to get the airfare.  The price of the cruise plus airfare can even be less then the price of simply booking business class on your own.  

 

Hank

Hank, Thank you for the tip. Sounds like what TeaBag posted above that they were able to get on their one-way fare from Vancouver to Singapore.

[STLCRUISIN]

19 hours ago, Thrak said:

Sadly, even with EZ Air pricing, we are still constrained to flying "cattle class". That's one reason we flew Virgin Atlantic to Heathrow as they offer a bit better seats and other perks such as free drinks even in the cheap seats.

Thank you for letting me know about Virgin. We don't always get to fly Business so it's good to hear what experience you had in economy on Virgin Atlantic.

[worldtraveller]

I have only ever had two issues using EZ Air, the main one being that not all flights are included so sometimes you can't get the schedule you really want but it is a small price to pay for the great fares.  The other issue I had (once) is that my flight was changed (the airline changed the plane and it no longer had first class even though that is what I had booked) but I wasn't notified by either the airline or Princess.  I happened to look at the seats and and noticed the change.      

[STLCRUISIN]

6 hours ago, worldtraveller said:

I have only ever had two issues using EZ Air, the main one being that not all flights are included so sometimes you can't get the schedule you really want but it is a small price to pay for the great fares.  The other issue I had (once) is that my flight was changed (the airline changed the plane and it no longer had first class even though that is what I had booked) but I wasn't notified by either the airline or Princess.  I happened to look at the seats and and noticed the change.      

Thank you worldtraveller. Since we are taking a Celebrity cruise right after the Princess cruise I checked the Celebrity site and found more choices in flights but the cost was far greater then Princess so I know just what you are talking about.

About your other issue, since the airlines always change flight times and cancel flights I'm always rechecking the status of any booked flights since many times the cruiseline and, when booked directly with the airline, the airline themselves don't notify me of the change or cancellation. So I've learned it's always good to be proactive.

[TeaBag]

I would be happier with our EZ air flight plans if I could select seats but it says you can't do that till the ticket is issued.  I got worried last night that the fare was a mistake 9because it was so cheap) and that they would let us know too late to get a decent fare on another airline.  The fares coming back from Rome are about 3 times the price to Singapore, so I guess we'll be in sardine class for that one.

Yes, you are correct about Celebrity.  I was looking at YVR - LHR today and I can get cheaper flights just by booking on other sites.  However, I would have to pay immediately and I don't want to part with any money till I'm sure we are going to be cruising next year.  Hope your plans work out.

[Hlitner]

So perhaps instead of blaming EZAIR (and its counterparts at other cruise lines) folks should put the blame where it belongs.  On the airlines!  The decent prices we often find on EZAIR are part of a negotiation with the airlines who contract for much lower fares (especially for Premium Economy and Business Class) with capacity limited deals.  If an airline or flight is not available on EZAIR it is usually because the cruise line's air contractor cannot get favorable deals with that particular airline.  

 

EZAIR contracted rates can sometimes be amusing.  Because of airline capacity limits strange things happen and it can really pay off to be flexible.  We leave near Harrisburg PA and can often find lower cost Business Class from Harrisburg to places like Tokyo then we can if we wanted to fly out of major airports like Newark or Dulles.  So, for example, a $3000  Business Class fare from Newark to Singapore on Singapore airlines might only cost $2300 from Harrisburg to Singapore via Newark!   That is why when we are looking for a good international EZAIR fare we will carefully look at flights from MDT, BWI, PHL, IAD, EWR and even JFK.  We can sometimes save over $1000 by simply getting a one way car rental to a another airport within a few hours of our home.  Or, a convoluted routing that might involve 30 hours and 2 plane changes from airport A might be replaced by a 15 hour non-stop flight from airport B.

 

When booking air flexibility can be a huge savior.  We have also saved big money by simply flying in 1 or 2 days earlier then we had planned (the savings on the flight often pay for the extra days cost).

 

Hank

[John99]

Good thread on EZ air Business Class air fares.  Thanks for the information.  Over the many years of cruising, I have used EZ Air numerous times both domestic and international.  But, I have never used EZ Air “Business Class” so the comments are helpful in my general understanding on this subject.  Almost everyone agrees that EZ Air for international travel is the way to go.  Great prices, no tricks, rebook when prices drop, etc.

 

Some questions on Business Class:

Can a person book Business Class without the help of a TA or customer rep?

I assume you must pay up front to secure Business Class.  Can you wait until Final Payment to secure?  Is that a good option?

Do you pay Princess or the airline for the added cost?

Can you select your seats?  I assume it depends on the airline.  We primarily use Delta from DTW.

Once I book Business Class – can you cancel without a penalty?  (Like a family emergency)

What happens if the cruise is cancelled by Princess? 

As stated in the thread -- Princess Travel insurance cover this added item.  Correct?

John

 

[shellbeachjim]

2 hours ago, John99 said:

Good thread on EZ air Business Class air fares.  Thanks for the information.  Over the many years of cruising, I have used EZ Air numerous times both domestic and international.  But, I have never used EZ Air “Business Class” so the comments are helpful in my general understanding on this subject.  Almost everyone agrees that EZ Air for international travel is the way to go.  Great prices, no tricks, rebook when prices drop, etc.

 

Some questions on Business Class:

Can a person book Business Class without the help of a TA or customer rep?

I assume you must pay up front to secure Business Class.  Can you wait until Final Payment to secure?  Is that a good option?

Do you pay Princess or the airline for the added cost?

Can you select your seats?  I assume it depends on the airline.  We primarily use Delta from DTW.

Once I book Business Class – can you cancel without a penalty?  (Like a family emergency)

What happens if the cruise is cancelled by Princess? 

As stated in the thread -- Princess Travel insurance cover this added item.  Correct?

John

 

There’s a pull-down menu in EZ Air for the class of service. The default is economy, but you can also choose premium economy, business, or first class. You can book business class on your own this way and no payment is required until the final payment is due. You can select your seats but it depends. Our upcoming Singapore to Rome cruise in June has outgoing flights on United and inbound flights on American. We were able to get seat assignments on American directly in EZ Air. For the United flights I needed to go to United’s website and provide our travel document information before I could select seats. I can’t speak for Delta since they don’t fly out of our local airport (San Luis Obispo). When you book EZ Air, you do receive the relevant 6 character locator codes for your flights. 
 

With EZ Air, if Princess cancels your cruise, the air is cancelled too. 

[nini]

18 hours ago, TeaBag said:

I would be happier with our EZ air flight plans if I could select seats but it says you can't do that till the ticket is issued. 

We were able to book our Premium Economy seats right away for Virgin Atlantic. If we were to go on British Airways, it was not possible or we needed to call the airline. So, I think it depends on the airline. If you do some "mock" bookings you can see when and with who.

 

2 hours ago, John99 said:

Good thread on EZ air Business Class air fares.  Thanks for the information.  Over the many years of cruising, I have used EZ Air numerous times both domestic and international.  But, I have never used EZ Air “Business Class” so the comments are helpful in my general understanding on this subject.  Almost everyone agrees that EZ Air for international travel is the way to go.  Great prices, no tricks, rebook when prices drop, etc.

 

Some questions on Business Class:

Can a person book Business Class without the help of a TA or customer rep? Yes

I assume you must pay up front to secure Business Class.  Can you wait until Final Payment to secure?  Is that a good option? You can wait until final payment.

Do you pay Princess or the airline for the added cost? You can select from several classes in the drop down menu for EZ Air.

Can you select your seats?  I assume it depends on the airline.  We primarily use Delta from DTW. Yes, on some airlines.

Once I book Business Class – can you cancel without a penalty?  (Like a family emergency) Yes, up until final payment and then there are the regular terms of agreement; travel insurance can come into play after final payment.

What happens if the cruise is cancelled by Princess?  Then, no worries. Refunded like a cruise after final payments.

As stated in the thread -- Princess Travel insurance cover this added item.  Correct? I am not sure what you mean.

 

Just be sure to book the "Flexible" fare and not the "Restricted" fare.

 

 

 

 

[TeaBag]

1 hour ago, shellbeachjim said:

There’s a pull-down menu in EZ Air for the class of service. The default is economy, but you can also choose premium economy, business, or first class. You can book business class on your own this way and no payment is required until the final payment is due. You can select your seats but it depends. Our upcoming Singapore to Rome cruise in June has outgoing flights on United and inbound flights on American. We were able to get seat assignments on American directly in EZ Air. For the United flights I needed to go to United’s website and provide our travel document information before I could select seats. I can’t speak for Delta since they don’t fly out of our local airport (San Luis Obispo). When you book EZ Air, you do receive the relevant 6 character locator codes for your flights. 
 

With EZ Air, if Princess cancels your cruise, the air is cancelled too. 

We're on the same cruise, Pacific Princess June 1.   The roll call is really dead.  I don't think people have found it. China airlines has a Bus. fare from YVR that is 25% of the other airlines offered by EZair which was why we chose it.  Bus. class fares from Rome are much higher so we might go with United points for that one.  China Airlines says to call the airline for seat assignment even though there is a link to select seats.  I couldn't get anything on EZ air for United (Rome to Vancouver) that was reasonable.

Edited October 18, 2020 by TeaBag

[dreaminofcruisin]

1 hour ago, shellbeachjim said:

There’s a pull-down menu in EZ Air for the class of service. The default is economy, but you can also choose premium economy, business, or first class. You can book business class on your own this way and no payment is required until the final payment is due. You can select your seats but it depends. Our upcoming Singapore to Rome cruise in June has outgoing flights on United and inbound flights on American. We were able to get seat assignments on American directly in EZ Air. For the United flights I needed to go to United’s website and provide our travel document information before I could select seats. I can’t speak for Delta since they don’t fly out of our local airport (San Luis Obispo). When you book EZ Air, you do receive the relevant 6 character locator codes for your flights. 
 

With EZ Air, if Princess cancels your cruise, the air is cancelled too. 

 

We have used Delta several times with EZ Air out of MSP and have always been able to pick our seats in any class. Shortly after booking it will also show up in your Delta Miles account if you log on there (even before final payment).

[kiwimum]

What are your planned travel dates.  I just took a look at EZAir, outbound on the 28th May, China Airlines and then return the 28th June on American is $1700 US in Business.  I do not think you are going to get much lower than that

[TeaBag]

2 hours ago, kiwimum said:

What are your planned travel dates.  I just took a look at EZAir, outbound on the 28th May, China Airlines and then return the 28th June on American is $1700 US in Business.  I do not think you are going to get much lower than that

Are you asking me?  Outbound May 27 from Vancouver to Singapore.  I can't even get into the booking to add on Rome if I wanted.  I have to do a mock booking to get that info.  It still says 5 tickets left on the Singapore trip, also even though I booked 2.

Edited October 18, 2020 by TeaBag

[kiwimum]

2 hours ago, TeaBag said:

Are you asking me?  Outbound May 27 from Vancouver to Singapore.  I can't even get into the booking to add on Rome if I wanted.  I have to do a mock booking to get that info.  It still says 5 tickets left on the Singapore trip, also even though I booked 2.

Sorry I forgot to reference you.   My experience is the system does not let you change from an Outbound to an Outbound and return. The safest option is to call Princess and have them handle adding the return, very time consuming.  The second and more riskier is to cancel your outbound and then rebook under Outbound and Return.   I have done both options and they have worked.   
Good luck.

[TeaBag]

Thank you so much.  I don't think we are going to go with the return from Rome in Bus class as it is over twice the cost of the outgoing.  I'm still in shock from getting Bus class to Singapore for $664 each and that's Cdn.  I might book economy through EZair for the Rome portion.

Are you in NZ now?  You guys are sure doing a great job with managing COVID.  Kudos to you.  BC is not too bad but it is increasing since we loosened up things and opened up pubs, movies etc.

Edited October 19, 2020 by TeaBag

[caribill]

12 hours ago, nini said:

Once I book Business Class – can you cancel without a penalty?  (Like a family emergency) Yes, up until final payment and then there are the regular terms of agreement; travel insurance can come into play after final payment.

 

 

I thought you could cancel up to 45 days before the trip starts which is past final payment time.

[John99]

Thanks for the information.   Cruise critic members are the best.  I must have myopia or something missing the “drop box” which shows the class.   Paying Princess for Business Class (if we so chose) is a great advantage.  I agreed with the comments on using “flexible air” which we always use.  We’ve been lucky selecting our seat on Delta.  Never a problem.  Also, waiting until Final Payment with all the terms and conditions is understandable.  Currently, we have 3 cruises booked for future which were all deferred from 2020 cal year.  One is already booked using the flexible air option while the other two are to far out into the future (over 300 days) to book.  Thanks again.  John

 

[Thrak]

2 hours ago, John99 said:

Thanks for the information.   Cruise critic members are the best.  I must have myopia or something missing the “drop box” which shows the class.  

 

 

[beg3yrs]

14 hours ago, caribill said:

 

I thought you could cancel up to 45 days before the trip starts which is past final payment time.

That's my understanding as well.

 

[dreaminofcruisin]

Flights recently opened for a cruise scheduled for late summer 2021.

EZ Air is REALLY limited in the options for Business Class....NONE for my preferred airline.

I looked at Premium Economy and it is a HIGHER price than booking directly through the airline.

However, it is Flexible, which is the ONLY way I would be booking right now.

It DOES have the times I want, so I might just book the Premium Economy as a 'place holder' in case the prices go up instead of down.

I think the airlines are pretty limited on flights they are offering (at least through EZ Air) right now until they know how many people will be comfortable flying by then....