Cheaper Tickets in Eastern Europe?

[jone]

About four months ago, when Tag was just starting his overseas endeavors, we advised him that he might want to price airline tickets from Eastern Europe, rather than the US.  To that end, we have done some checking to see if tickets are really cheaper.  Guess what?  They are!

At least in some situations.

We had a friend of ours check out the prices for the same tickets we recently purchased, but instead of buying them in the US and with US Dollars, we had them priced from Russia using Rubles.  The difference was at least 10% and more usually 20% in ticket prices. 

Don't know if that helps you, as sometimes the fee for sending the money over offsets the discount.  But I thought I would put that little tidbit out there for people to use in their calculations.

[ML]

But, isn't this for situations of starting the journey in EE and coming to west?

Would this work for people starting journey in west and going to EE?

[jone]

Hey, I know quite a few guys who went over to see their women multiple times.

[cc3]

Why you may want to reconsider flying on east European airlines:

http://www.euronews.com/2015/08/10/air-baltic-crew-detained-in-norway-on-allegations-of-alcohol-abuse/

[camachinist]

Heh, if one can figure out how to dump the AB (Air Berlin) YQ charge, MOW-LAX would essentially be free., positioning to MOW via an award flight and then pushing the return out to max could likely yield some interesting options. Here's a 7 day return. Not bad at 467USD (same price in py). Note the one-way fare - 18 bucks.

Code: [Select]

Fare 1: Carrier AB ELNCRRU MOW to LAX (rules)
Passenger type ADT, round trip fare, booking code O, E
Covers DME-DUS (Economy), DUS-LAX (Economy)
   
$18.64
Fare 2: Carrier AB ELNCRRU LAX to MOW (rules)
Passenger type ADT, round trip fare, booking code E, O
Covers LAX-DUS (Economy), DUS-DME (Economy)
   
$18.64
USDA APHIS Fee (XA)
   
$5.00
US Immigration Fee (XY)
   
$7.00
US Customs Fee (YC)
   
$5.50
Germany DE (DE)
   
$5.40
German Passenger Service Charge (RA)
   
$23.80
AB YQ surcharge (YQ)
   
$307.20
US International Arrival Tax (US)
   
$17.70
Russian Int'l Terminal Use Charge (RI)
   
$8.69
S7 YQ surcharge (YQ)
   
$14.20
Russian Int'l Terminal Use Charge (RI)
   
$8.40
US International Departure Tax (US)
   
$17.70
US September 11th Security Fee (AY)
   
$5.60
US Passenger Facility Charge (XF)
   
$4.50
Subtotal per passenger
   
$467.69
Number of passengers
   
x1
Subtotal For 1 adult
   
$467.69
   

    This ticket is non-refundable.
    Changes to this ticket will incur a penalty fee.
Back when I was doing these, I'd get the positioning via a one way award, then revenue originating in the foreign country after that and nest multiple trips and, generally, dump the last return. IMO, definitely worth investigating.