Phuket Thailand

steve@thaib · #1 22-10-2007, 04:06

I've gone into the travel business. It's something I have wanted to do for quite some time and last week I reached an agreement with a major flight consolidator, so I can now book flights.

Just doing some searching and comparing over the last week or so, it seems that I can match/beat most of the published prices for Bangkok / Asia flights routing through European hubs. The Mid East carriers seem very keenly priced at the moment and I'm struggling to beat them on price and availability.

My agreement here with Nicke is to give the best deals possible to BMs. Without wishing to offer up my actual margin, I will say that I am in single digits as a percentage.

In practical terms, this means that my KLM flight for April will come in at around £510 as opposed to KLMs published fare of £560.

I won't be able to beat all deals, but I can have a look at availability and give a price point to work with. There is a website but it's still a work in progress and I'm not really pushing the whole business yet.

I don't expect all the UK BMs to book their flights through me from now on, but it can't do any harm to ask me for a price can it?

Tarzan · #2 22-10-2007, 04:10

Is it only flights from UK, or can you get deals from other destinations in Europe..?

steve@thaib · #3 22-10-2007, 04:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tarzan

Is it only flights from UK, or can you get deals from other destinations in Europe..?

Only the UK, I think the practicalities of ticketing a flight in another country would be tricky. Sorry.

faultytowers · #4 22-10-2007, 04:13

Glad to hear that things are working out OK , and thanks for the info , will keep you in mind for future trips.

Tarzan · #5 22-10-2007, 04:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by steve@thaib

Only the UK, I think the practicalities of ticketing a flight in another country would be tricky. Sorry.

Too bad.. Could be good business for you supplying all the BM`s in Europe with tickets...haha

steve@thaib · #6 22-10-2007, 04:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tarzan

Too bad.. Could be good business for you supplying all the BM`s in Europe with tickets...haha

My bad, I will look into it!

Thai Kwan Do · #7 22-10-2007, 06:31

In practical terms, this means that my KLM flight for April will come in at around £510 as opposed to KLMs published fare of £560.

and what date`s did u use ?
i,m looking for a flight on , or around april the 9th to bkk
heading back the 26th of april

steve@thaib · #8 22-10-2007, 12:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by peterhol

In practical terms, this means that my KLM flight for April will come in at around £510 as opposed to KLMs published fare of £560.

and what date`s did u use ?
i,m looking for a flight on , or around april the 9th to bkk
heading back the 26th of april

Out on the 8th and back on the 28th. Will have a look at those dates later and let you know.

Nicke · #9 22-10-2007, 12:53

Good luck and I hope it can be useful for some UK BMs, would be nice if you could provide for all Europe.

steve@thaib · #10 22-10-2007, 13:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nicke

Good luck and I hope it can be useful for some UK BMs, would be nice if you could provide for all Europe.

Thanks. I will look into Europe, but I'm doubtful. An international ticketing agency would be cool tho, I like the sound of that

dennisinkamala · #11 22-10-2007, 13:15

The Malaysian network prices are gonna be hard to beat.
Ive got a flight 1st dec returning 1st Feb for £560

Will get a quote from you for my next trip in Early March when Ive finalised dates.

IRISH JONNY · #12 22-10-2007, 13:35

Best Of Luck With This Venture Steve.....ij

Sirgezza · #13 22-10-2007, 15:37

Congratulations on your venture and good luck.

I'll be in touch when I need to book my next flight.

steve@thaib · #14 22-10-2007, 22:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by peterhol

In practical terms, this means that my KLM flight for April will come in at around £510 as opposed to KLMs published fare of £560.

and what date`s did u use ?
i,m looking for a flight on , or around april the 9th to bkk
heading back the 26th of april

That shows LHR-BKK outbound 9th April Inbound 26th April £513.80 with KLM

steve@thaib · #15 22-10-2007, 22:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by dennisinspain

The Malaysian network prices are gonna be hard to beat.
Ive got a flight 1st dec returning 1st Feb for £560

Will get a quote from you for my next trip in Early March when Ive finalised dates.

Sri Lankan shows LHR-Bkk outbound 3rd
Dec Inbound 1st Feb @ £374.40 inc taxes

Etihad Shows outbound 2nd Dec Inbound 1st Feb @ £502.40

There's also lots of KLM/China airline availability for around £510-530. You can normally add Mancjester or Birmingham instead of LHR for around £30

Crustasian · #16 22-10-2007, 23:16

Steve:

Air Lingus are going operational out of Aldergrove hub in December.They are a partner with China Air out of AMS.I have used them out via Dublin a few times.Should save NI BMs from having to go over to England.

steve@thaib · #17 22-10-2007, 23:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crustasian

Steve:

Air Lingus are going operational out of Aldergrove hub in December.They are a partner with China Air out of AMS.I have used them out via Dublin a few times.Should save NI BMs from having to go over to England.

I will keep an eye out for that, but everything I am seeing out of Belfast routes through LHR at the minute and BMI/Lufthansa codeshare seems the best bet. Two stops though so Amsterdam would be far better.

Thai Kwan Do · #18 23-10-2007, 05:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by steve@thaib

That shows LHR-BKK outbound 9th April Inbound 26th April £513.80 with KLM

does this include taxes and crap like that?
like fuel surcharge ,ticket booking >?

Thai Kwan Do · #19 23-10-2007, 05:51

and how about air asia X ?

do you have any line on them ??

steve@thaib · #20 23-10-2007, 14:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by peterhol

does this include taxes and crap like that?
like fuel surcharge ,ticket booking >?

The only thing to go on top of that is a £4 airline failure insurance. No booking fees or anything.

What's the Air Asia X story? Is that the one that Virgin have a share in? It doesn't show on the system but we do have access to Virgin flights so maybe it will when they are bookable? I will keep an eye out for more info.

Caerphilly · #21 24-10-2007, 00:33

good luck in your venture

I've already booked a flight for 2007 but are you competitive with the eva offers of circa 435 london to bangkok?

steve@thaib · #22 24-10-2007, 02:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caerphilly

good luck in your venture

I've already booked a flight for 2007 but are you competitive with the eva offers of circa 435 london to bangkok?

Eva aren't on my list, so I won't be able to beat that price with that airline no. If you tell us your dates I can tell you what the best price I am looking at is, there is often a good deal to be had with Etihad or China Airlines.

But if you have a good deal , and £435 is good, and you like the airline then you stick with it I guess. I know I would

Thai Kwan Do · #23 24-10-2007, 04:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by steve@thaib

What's the Air Asia X story? Is that the one that Virgin have a share in? It doesn't show on the system but we do have access to Virgin flights so maybe it will when they are bookable? I will keep an eye out for more info.

Report: AirAsia X to get new investors - Boston.com

look`s like Richard wants to get a foothold in asia to!