Costing Error On Mh Fare Leaves Airline In The Red

[peter991]

Costing error on MH fare leaves airline in the red

Monday, March 17, 2008

A Flight Centre consultant reportedly found an incorrect Business Class Malaysia Airlines return airfare loaded into the GDS between Bangkok/Phuket and Johannesburg to the sum of around A$400, instead of the RRP of A$4200, according to a report received by e-Travel Blackboard.

e-Travel Blackboard learned of the mishap last week after word spread quickly when the Flight Centre consultant told other industry friends of the incorrect airfare.

It is believed that over 50 J class tickets were ticketed by just one TMC including its management, staff, friends and families, before Malaysia Airlines picked up the error and pulled the fare from the GDS.

The report e-Travel Blackboard received on Friday was that the airline was quoted as saying "They were like pigs at the trough".

The situation now awaits clarification as to whether the traveller, agent, GDS or airline will absorb the cost.

It is not known how many other travel agents ticketed this incorrect MH J class airfare.

Malaysia Airlines declined to comment on Friday.

Peter

[jingjoe]

Similar thing happened to me booking a biz flight with Malev Hungarian last year through bestflights.com.au

The rate was too cheap, at about $2k under the normal rate for it (BKK-AMS-BKK) so I called them on two separate occasions and checked the validity before going ahead and buying it.

I received my paper tickets but they were economy class. Long story short, Bestflights, despite their promises to honour the ticket held out for SO long (a number of months) that I proposed to go away quietly if they'd just give me my money back. They agreed, and I flew Deluxe with Eva Air instead.

The reason I was kept guessing, was that bestflights couldn't find where to lay the blame for the error, and not being "their" error they had no intention of paying the extra. Their repeated promises (verbal and by email) to "honour" the booking, were lies.

[peter991]

Pricing error causes $320,000 loss for Malaysia Airlines

Monday, 31 March 2008

Malaysia Airlines has confirmed it is expecting to face losses of up to AUD$320,000 after more than 100 tickets were issued at a special rate due to a pricing error discovered in the GDS system.

e-Travel Blackboard broke the news of the incorrect Business class airfare between Bangkok/Phuket and Johannesburg which was loaded at BHT 11,580 (AUD$407), instead of the RRP of BHT 111,580 (AUD$4200) on March 17.

Malaysia Airlines’ Regional Manager Australia & New Zealand, Mr Abdul Manaf Harun told e-Travel Blackboard the airline would absorb the expected losses.

"We expect slightly more than 100 tickets have been ticketed at the special price, and losses are expected to be in the range of AUD320,000. We will honour air tickets which have been ticketed," he said.

It is believed that word of the incorrect airfare spread fast amongst the travel community across Australia, with Queensland accounting for more than 50 per cent of the tickets issued.

The airfare has since been withdrawn from sale.

Peter

[steveromagnino]

Malaysia Airlines has confirmed it is expecting to face losses of up to AUD$320,000 after more than 100 tickets were issued at a special rate due to a pricing error discovered in the GDS system.

AMount of publicity and good will from honouring the fare is worth $320k Aussie anyhow.

Nice to see them take responsibility; certainly I would now add them to airlines I am willing to fly with.