Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Tony_Balony]

Is there a strategy for beating the summer-august plane ticket mess?
Is traveling to Japan or Beijing to miss the korean crowds worthwhile?

You can get to Vladivostok but the prices there are the same as here and Aeroflot goes to the US via Moscow.

Is this an issue of ticket availability vs price?

Is the real reason to travel so far to get a flight or save money?

TY

Tony

[soviet_man]

Having suffered for the past 3 summers in Korea, I can sympathize.

The June-August period is always the worst possible time to travel and buy plane tickets.

In particular the Korea-Vladivostok flights and most Korea-SE Asia flights have been notorius for commonly spiking to well over 1 million won return during these peak summer months - when at other times of the year they would be 20-40% cheaper.

The big Hana/Lotte group tours make bloc bookings and most flights can be sold out weeks in advance - but some of the little known carriers do have better seat availability. My tips for bargains:

Uzbekair.co.kr (to Europe or Mid-east via Tashkent).
Orient Thai Airlines (to Thailand).
Asianspirit.com (to Clark/Davao/Kalibo).
Dalavia.ru (to eastern Russia).
Shenzhenair.co.kr (to Shenzhen and Kuala Lumpur)
Phillipineair.co.kr (to the Phillipines and USA)
Continental Micronesia (to Guam)
Miat (to Moscow/Berlin via Mongolia)
Iran Air (to Europe via Tehran)
Royal Khmer/PMTair.com (to Siem Reap)
Uniair (to Kaohsiung)
Air India (to India/Europe/USA)
China Eastern, China Airlines, Air China, China Southern - all worth a go.
www.airfrance.co.kr (1.0 mil return to Europe special).
www.koreanair.com (click on "e-last minute")
http://travelshop.chosun.com/ (i can see a few bargains here).

[Tony_Balony]

TY Soviet Man, that response was way beyond helpful.

[spliff]

All you can do is shop around and compare flights/fares. The fares are set months in advance for peak seasons but, prices still fluctuate somewhat between vendors.

[ttompatz]

I would like to add here that you can also get "PACKAGE DEALS" including airfare from Cathay for LESS THAN the cost of the air ticket alone.

Low Season : 2007/5/10-5/23, 5/25-5/31, 6/3-6/5, 6/7-7/12, 8/19-8/31
High Season : 2007/5/24, 6/1-6/2, 6/6, 7/13-8/18

Travel Period 3D/2N
Departure Basis - HIGH SEASON RATES - Rates are per person.
1Adult Sharing Twin Room - 465,000k won
1Adult using Single Room - 539,000

Travel Period 4D/3N
1Adult Sharing Twin Room - 502,000
1Adult using Single Room - 613,000

http://www.cathaypacific.com/cpa/en_KR/offerspromotions/offerdetails?refID=033644f0cbaf2110VgnVCM32000011d21c39____&WAemail=CXPECIALS

# Reservations and ticketing should be completed by 27 August 2007 and travel must be completed by 1 September 2007.
# Visit Hong Kong Now package only includes air tickets and 2Nights' or 3Nights' accommodation. Extension of stay not allowed.
# Prices exclude airport tax, departure tax, security tax and other insurances and may be subject to change without prior notice.


They have OTHER packages as well that can be extended up to 1 month.

[Masta_Don]

Japan Airlines just released their discount tickets for the summertime this last weekend. Don't know if any are still available but when I was checking it was under 500k for Bangkok, Singapore, and Tokyo.