Rare Hlitner Posted June 22 #1 Share Posted June 22 Just noticed that as of today (it could have happened a few days ago) Flight Ease only works for flights that are no more than 5 days pre or post cruise. This is the same on the Princess EZAIR system (which is actually the same folks who handle Seabourn). Since nobody has posted anything about an announcement, we are not sure if this is a fly/cruise policy change for all the CCL companies, or if it just a software glitch. I should also mention that while looking at some future air options (for Seabourn) we have noticed that the air fares we see on Flight Ease are similar to booking the same air on any platform or direct with the airlines. The terrific deals we used to see, especially for international first/business, seem to have disappeared. Am hoping this is just a temporary software issue, but we shall have to wait and see. Hank Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare marazul Posted June 23 #2 Share Posted June 23 23 hours ago, Hlitner said: Just noticed that as of today (it could have happened a few days ago) Flight Ease only works for flights that are no more than 5 days pre or post cruise. This is the same on the Princess EZAIR system (which is actually the same folks who handle Seabourn). Since nobody has posted anything about an announcement, we are not sure if this is a fly/cruise policy change for all the CCL companies, or if it just a software glitch. I should also mention that while looking at some future air options (for Seabourn) we have noticed that the air fares we see on Flight Ease are similar to booking the same air on any platform or direct with the airlines. The terrific deals we used to see, especially for international first/business, seem to have disappeared. Am hoping this is just a temporary software issue, but we shall have to wait and see. Hank Bummer. I am about to start looking for next march. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Hlitner Posted June 23 Author #3 Share Posted June 23 25 minutes ago, marazul said: Bummer. I am about to start looking for next march. Lets hope it is just a temporary issue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BOB999 Posted June 23 #4 Share Posted June 23 I booked a flight through Flightease as recently as 3 weeks ago and it was ~half off of published airfares for that flight. Albeit it was a last minute, one-way, business class ticket US-Europe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare marazul Posted June 23 #5 Share Posted June 23 17 hours ago, Hlitner said: Lets hope it is just a temporary issue. It doesn't show AA flights, but it shows codeshare with BA and IB. And the prices are twice what we got for our cruise this fall. Let's hope... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Hlitner Posted June 23 Author #6 Share Posted June 23 2 minutes ago, marazul said: It doesn't show AA flights, but it shows codeshare with BA and IB. And the prices are twice what we got for our cruise this fall. Let's hope... I join you in crossing fingers (and toes). We have an upcoming SB cruise in Japan and needed one-way to Tokyo. Looking at the SB offerings was quite depressing as the prices were not much different than what is available direct from the airlines. We finally decided to book Turkish Air (Business Class) but do a multi-day stopover in Istanbul (we really enjoy Turkey) which added very little to the cost of our air. We booked direct with the airline! There have been times, in the past, when we booked cruises with various CCL brands (SB, HAL, and Princess) because we could get terrific Business Class fares through the lines (they all use the same folks to handle their air). That advantage is now gone (at least for the moment) which might cause us to look more to Oceania (we really liked their new Vista) for some future bookings. Hank Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare marazul Posted June 23 #7 Share Posted June 23 I will hold out a little longer and see what happens. I like (liked?) Flight Ease's other features of delayed booking and SB insurance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Vineyard View Posted June 24 #8 Share Posted June 24 7 hours ago, Hlitner said: There have been times, in the past, when we booked cruises with various CCL brands (SB, HAL, and Princess) because we could get terrific Business Class fares through the lines (they all use the same folks to handle their air). That advantage is now gone (at least for the moment) which might cause us to look more to Oceania (we really liked their new Vista) for some future bookings. Hank Hank, I am sure hoping that this is a temporary ‘glitch’ as well. We are comparing a few itineraries for next year, including land vs sea travel. When I look at Oceania costs, and I add in the gratuities and upgraded drink package to be most in line with SB, I don’t always see a huge differential in costs on some itineraries we are considering. I imagine/expect (haven’t sailed O) a difference in experience. I saw the value in the air savings with the SB program in the past, so maybe it then turns into all about the itinerary, if the experience at O was at par with what you look for. I know you have sailed many lines, but in the past SB was highly regarded by you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Hlitner Posted June 24 Author #9 Share Posted June 24 8 hours ago, Vineyard View said: Hank, I am sure hoping that this is a temporary ‘glitch’ as well. We are comparing a few itineraries for next year, including land vs sea travel. When I look at Oceania costs, and I add in the gratuities and upgraded drink package to be most in line with SB, I don’t always see a huge differential in costs on some itineraries we are considering. I imagine/expect (haven’t sailed O) a difference in experience. I saw the value in the air savings with the SB program in the past, so maybe it then turns into all about the itinerary, if the experience at O was at par with what you look for. I know you have sailed many lines, but in the past SB was highly regarded by you. We still consider SB to our favorite cruise line. While we do enjoy several other lines (and routinely cruise other lines) we find SB best satisfies our wants, desires, and even budget. But take away the airline price advantage we get with SB, and that does make other lines more price competitive. And by the way, there are two things, on the Oceania Vista, that we think beats SB. 1. The deck loungers on O are far nicer than what is on SB, and 2. Waves, which is the VIsta's semi-outdoor grill and sandwich venue. One could also make a case that the Vista's Grand Dining Room (their MDR) is equal or better than The Restaurant! Hank 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Vineyard View Posted June 24 #10 Share Posted June 24 Thank you Hank. If this airfare on SB stays high, that does take away a key overall advantage to sailing over other lines. Oceania is taking away their pricing program with stated specific airline pricing starting next month. No one seems to know how that will affect overall pricing with O as well. I am hoping to use miles for next year. We will see how that rolls. Windows open up this coming week for return dates we are considering. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare marazul Posted June 24 #11 Share Posted June 24 @Hlitner@Vineyard View- I was advised to be patient, which doesn't come naturally for me. It's too early for next year's flights even if the airlines have their schedules out by now. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Hlitner Posted June 24 Author #12 Share Posted June 24 2 minutes ago, marazul said: @Hlitner@Vineyard View- I was advised to be patient, which doesn't come naturally for me. It's too early for next year's flights even if the airlines have their schedules out by now. Did they say anything about the 5 day (pre or post cruise) limitation? For us, that would normally stop us from even looking at cruise/air, When it comes to Europe or Asia we often like to tack on weeks of pre/post travel. Hank Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare marazul Posted June 24 #13 Share Posted June 24 Just now, Hlitner said: Did they say anything about the 5 day (pre or post cruise) limitation? For us, that would normally stop us from even looking at cruise/air, When it comes to Europe or Asia we often like to tack on weeks of pre/post travel. Hank Sorry, I didn't ask and I should have since we also like to add more time. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare marazul Posted July 12 #14 Share Posted July 12 On 6/24/2024 at 6:03 PM, Hlitner said: Did they say anything about the 5 day (pre or post cruise) limitation? For us, that would normally stop us from even looking at cruise/air, When it comes to Europe or Asia we often like to tack on weeks of pre/post travel. Hank I checked today and it is allowing you to book longer than 5 days pre or post. Unfortunately, the prices have not budged. Still, no AA available. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Vineyard View Posted July 13 #15 Share Posted July 13 I just turned in a ridiculous amount of miles to book next year based on current pricing. I can return it for future use if it makes sense, but the flights available under FlightEase were not only including long lay over times, but also without decent pricing. I was able to look at several days pre and post, but I did not test the over 5 day parameter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Hlitner Posted July 13 Author #16 Share Posted July 13 22 hours ago, marazul said: I checked today and it is allowing you to book longer than 5 days pre or post. Unfortunately, the prices have not budged. Still, no AA available. Noticed that yesterday, but forgot to post. We also noticed that SB had added additonal flight options for one of our future cruises. Nothing great on pricing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare FlyerTalker Posted July 14 #17 Share Posted July 14 Thought problem....why should anyone expect to have "great" pricing for air compared with buying your own ticket on the open market? Given that load factors are at historic highs, airlines have no reason to heavily discount ticket pricing. And should one expect SB to take a loss on air tickets? Looking for the logic out there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare marazul Posted July 14 #18 Share Posted July 14 Seabourn negotiates discounts from the airlines. In the past few years their prices have been considerably lower than buying directly from the airlines. Right now there are no discounts. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dalliowner Posted July 14 #19 Share Posted July 14 For my cruise in September the flight ease price was double what I could get direct. I always check both. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Vineyard View Posted July 14 #20 Share Posted July 14 20 hours ago, FlyerTalker said: Thought problem....why should anyone expect to have "great" pricing for air compared with buying your own ticket on the open market? Given that load factors are at historic highs, airlines have no reason to heavily discount ticket pricing. And should one expect SB to take a loss on air tickets? Looking for the logic out there. Which is why what used to take less than 200k miles for RT business from States to Europe for two, is now 600k+ with a couple thousand in cash, or close to a million miles with taxes only. They just don’t have to offer those miles anymore. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare marazul Posted July 15 #21 Share Posted July 15 There is a new promotion offering $2000 air credit on a small number of cruises. Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare FlyerTalker Posted July 15 #22 Share Posted July 15 2 hours ago, marazul said: There is a new promotion offering $2000 air credit on a small number of cruises. Good luck! Using the same technique as Viking. Rather than discount the cruise, thus maintaining price integrity, they are effectively making the same discount available through a different channel. It's not a "deal on air". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare marazul Posted July 15 #23 Share Posted July 15 5 minutes ago, FlyerTalker said: Using the same technique as Viking. Rather than discount the cruise, thus maintaining price integrity, they are effectively making the same discount available through a different channel. It's not a "deal on air". Call it what you will. You can only use it to discount the Flight Ease tickets. It cannot be applied to the cruise. It is only available for some 50 cruises. Not of any use for us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare marazul Posted July 15 #24 Share Posted July 15 (edited) The $2000 air credit promotion is expanded now to some 150 cruises. Still, not for mine. Edited July 15 by marazul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare FlyerTalker Posted July 15 #25 Share Posted July 15 58 minutes ago, marazul said: Call it what you will. You can only use it to discount the Flight Ease tickets. It cannot be applied to the cruise. Ask yourself...why are they giving this "credit"? It's not that the airline tickets have suddenly gotten cheaper. They need to move cabins, yet luxury brands know that direct price discounts impact their brand positioning. So they use other techniques to lower the overall cost to the consumer. With an all-inclusive, shipboard credits are not as attractive as they are with mass-market lines. So air becomes the discounting lever. As I noted, Viking does this regularly. They do promotions offering "free air" rather than discounting the cruise fare. Thus maintaining price integrity. I would also suspect that this is not retroactive to existing bookings. It's to bring in NEW business. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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