East Coast to Far East Premium Flash Fares Match Those from the West Coast, Representing Great Values

East Coast to Far East Premium Flash Fares Match Those from the West Coast, Representing Great Values

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In April we told you how West Coast fares to Europe were dropping to East Coast levels. Now it looks like the East Coast is reciprocating—with lower Business Class fares recently found to Asia.

Generally speaking, travel in Business Class to Asia from the East Coast is typically ~$1,500+ more than from the West Coast, with Business Class fares in the $4,000 to $6,000 range. But recently we’ve seen many fares under $2,800 from the East Coast and $2,400 from the West.

To Asia, East Coast fares have been even lower than from the West in some cases.

All fundamentally important to be aware of if you buy premium published fares very often—and who’d have guessed?

Airlines Are Getting MORE Tactical

Just as with the cost of travel to Europe getting closer together from both coasts, I think the reasons for this Asia trend are tactical. Airlines are finding more and more intricate ways to slice and dice the premium travel market. Their computer servers must be hot to touch because it’s happening a lot. But do we really care why? Not so much. The trick is to jump on them when we spot them for you.

For instance, we’ve seen Business Class fares from the East Coast to Asia—Bangkok, Singapore, Shanghai, and Taipei—around the $2,700 mark. Compare that with the approximately $1,700 cost of flying from New York to Los Angeles. For just $1,000 more, East Coasters can take their vacations in faraway Asia, instead of the U.S.

EASY COME, EASY GO, EASY FREEZE

These flash fares often don’t last very long. We’ve been surprised how fast they’re coming and going. But we’re also encouraged that they continue to come, and we expect it to keep happening.

Consider yourself prepared for upcoming opportunities.

If you haven’t planned all your trip details yet, you can “freeze” great airfare deals when you see them. See our March report for details on How to Lock in Amazing Premium Flash Fares to Use Later.

CONSIDER COST PER HOUR — VALUE THINK

One way to look at flight costs and value is from the perspective of the “cost per flight hour,” as it can be an eye-opener. For example, the travel time between New York and Singapore is about 41 hours round-trip with Japan Airlines. When the Business Class fare is down at those $2,700 levels, it equals about $66 per flight hour.

Compare this to a New York-Rome fare at $2,761 nonstop with a flight time of 18 hours round-trip. That comes to a cost per flight hour of $153. Relative to that fare, the East Coast to Asia option at flash prices represents noodle-cheap value. The tickets’ prices are roughly the same, but when you consider value, you’re getting a lot more flight bang(kok?) for your buck when you head Asia’s way.

Think value—not price.

EAST VS WEST EXAMPLES

New York-Singapore: Just a few weeks ago we spotted American Airlines and Japan Airlines with published fares starting at $2,748 round-trip. Compare that to Los Angeles–Singapore starting at $3,207. Say again?! It was costing less to fly to Asia from the East Coast than the West. Almost looks like a mistake.

Boston-Taipei: We also saw published fares starting at $2,753 round-trip. Compare it to San Francisco-Taipei starting at $2,983 with Air Canada. Again, $230 less.

New York-Bangkok: American Airlines and Japan Airlines had published fares starting at $2,647 round-trip. Compare that to Los Angeles-Bangkok, starting at $2,877 with American Airlines. That number again: $230 less.

Other recent East Coast-Asia special fares found: Northeast to Taipei Business Class $2,753 R/T and Singapore $2,724 R/T With American and United Business Class.

PARLAY THE DEAL INTO FIRST CLASS
With Japan Airlines you can also upgrade discounted Business Class (class X) fares to First Class. It takes 45,000 miles one-way to upgrade from Business to First on the international long-haul flight, New York to Tokyo.

TWO ALLIANCES / THREE AIRLINES

Two alliances are leading this trend: oneworld (with American and Japan Airlines), and Star Alliance (United).

LOW-FARE EAST COAST DEPARTURE CITIES

The best fares we’ve seen are from Boston, New York, and Philadelphia. (Dallas too. Not exactly East Coast although the Cowboys do play in the NFC East).

LOW-FARE WEST COAST DESTINATION CITIES

Good low-fare destinations are more spread out—and to all corners of Asia. The best fares vary and currently include Bangkok, Singapore, Shanghai, and Taipei. But keep in mind that this can change quickly.

IT’S NOT ALL EAST COAST TO ASIA ROUTES

Not all flights between an East Coast city and all Asian cities get the low fares.They vary and don’t necessarily get low across the board. Again, it’s a tactical play by airlines and they’re specific about the routes.

Exhibit A: Boston-Singapore went for as little as $2,724 round-trip just a few weeks ago. Compare that to a high fare route such as Boston-Bali, at $5,265—93% more.

OPPORTUNITY TRAVELERS REWARDED

As we mentioned, not all routes offer these great deals, so you want to be an opportunity traveler. To get these kinds of fares, don’t succumb to “destination blindness.”

For example, if you don’t see a deal to Hong Kong in Business Class, but you do see a deal to Taipei, why not check out Taipei? Then hop over to Hong Kong; it’s less than two hours away. And perhaps return from Shanghai—what we call using Open-Jaw itineraries to land a premium deal and great vacation.