Different prices for UK and USA travellers on same flight?

[RonnieB]

I was checking prices for a friend who is flying (for example) GSP-LHR and return. When I check it here I am getting US$860 – when they check it in the US, the same flight appears as US$1250.

Is that something to do with taxes or do they just differentiate and penalise US consumers somehow? WOuld use of a VPN solve the issue?

Thanks

[SamG]

Probably a point of sale issue. Airlines sell the same seats in different markets for different prices.

Some airline websites e.g. ba.com only sell tickets in the market the flight departs from but you can get around this by using say expedia.com or expedia.co.uk .

The differences can be quite stark as you’ve found. One I’ve dealt with recently is Singapore Airlines ex-India – in UK POS (where my corp TA is) they often only sell full fare economy but if you book using their website or an Indian TA you’ll see prices 2/3 cheaper !

[RonnieB]

Thanks – so would using a VPN with location set at UK solve this issue?? Or would there be an issue when they turn up at airport?

[SamG]

Yes that should work ! No issues at the airport

[Cranzle]

Has anyone used this approach to book hotels/resorts at a lower rate (say, for example, via a travel agent based in another country)?

[JDB]

Cranzle wrote:

Has anyone used this approach to book hotels/resorts at a lower rate (say, for example, via a travel agent based in another country)?

Yes, I have reported this many times. It works particularly well in less developed countries that nevertheless rely on domestic tourists/guests. Often, rates charged to US/European guests are completely unaffordable to locals, but as they need those customers, they have a different rate structure for them in addition to local corporate and travel agent rates. Car hire is the same.

[RonnieB]

Interesting.
Imagine if someone produced a list of the locations for cheapest booking of flights/car hire/hotels etc. that would be a good facility!

[JDB]

RonnieB wrote:

Interesting.
Imagine if someone produced a list of the locations for cheapest booking of flights/car hire/hotels etc. that would be a good facility!

I’m not sure that’s strictly necessary. The ‘producer’ is always going to have the capacity be the cheapest as all the middlemen are cut out of the equation.

Obviously if you email a hotel in Brazil and say hi, I’m Tom from England, please can I have your ‘local’ rate, they will tell you to get lost! Car hire is often even easier as one can just WhatsApp the local branch and you will almost invariably get the proper local price.

[PeteM]

Yes, I think the only way to achieve this is either having developed contacts yourself (a local travel agent or fixer) through friends or visiting repeatedly or by spending a lot of time finding one online on travel forums. The latter is likely to still probably lead to higher prices in most countries. Speaking the local language also helps.