When looking for cheap flights, you're often told to "shop around" but there is another way to take advantage of airline's airfare fluctuations.
Depending on what airline's website you use, you could save yourself money, or end up spending more money if you're not aware of how airfare systems work.
Airlines need to fill seats which means they may offer discounts or cheaper fares to fill the plane from a more likely market.
However that means prices aren't necessarily the same on return legs.
For example, an Air New Zealand flight from Napier to Auckland on August 18 through its New Zealand website is priced at NZ$59, whereas the same flight on its Australian website was priced at NZ$113.
In another case, a flight from Hamilton to Dunedin on August 8 would cost you NZ$144 if you booked on the New Zealand website. That same flight would cost another NZ$151 if you booked through the Australian website.
However, in rare cases flights booked through Air New Zealand's Australian website were actually cheaper than booking on the New Zealand website. So it pays to try both before buying.
When asked why there were differences, Air New Zealand told Newshub it is "normal practice" due to local customer demand, seat availability and local promotional activity.
Aviation commentators agree it is common practice and there is nothing untoward going on.
"It's such a complicated process doing fares, fare levels, originating fares, all airlines do it," aviation commentator Peter Clark says.
Flight Centre NZ general manager product Sean Berenson has some tips for consumers:
- Book early to get the best prices
- Talk to travel experts who can help find what is best for you
- Keep your eyes peeled for deals on different carriers
Flight prices from every competitor in the sky have fallen in recent times, offering passengers various cheap choices in who they can fly with.
In February, flights from Auckland to Amsterdam were going for the cheap-as-chips rate of $1000 with China Southern Airlines.
Newshub.
