BETWEEN THE LINES

LEARNING THE AIRLINES LINGO

Heard the term “close in bookings”?

Chances are, you are one of the many Samoans who fall into that category used by airlines to describe your booking when you travel. 

Unlike many travelers who can plan their flights well in advance and look for the best fares, many of us and even our families coming from overseas are not so lucky.

Our reasons for travel are many and various but the news of a funeral or other fa’alavelave, does not allow us the luxury to choose the cheapest flight in advance. 

According to a recent news release, airline tickets booked less than a week before departure, are 44 per cent more expensive, on average, than the same ticket booked 15 or more days in. Ouch! 

Last-minute tickets, (close in bookings) are a lucrative category which tend to yield fatter margins, the news release says.

So, how about a special fare from our own airline that somehow takes that factor into account and on verification that there really is a funeral, offers a discount of sorts?

And might we expect a directive from the Minister of Finance requiring all Members of Parliament and government employees to fly our national carrier when on Samoa Airways routes?

 

WHY ARE WE WAITING?

Congratulations to Bluesky for their generous support of our beleaguered Rugby Union.

Now that’s been dealt with, when can we expect to hear of the amazing new Internet offers at new, low, low prices for the public as a result of the much heralded Tui Cable?

Come on, Minister of Communications, you promised it, now deliver so the providers can dazzle us (and our wallets) with their offers of cheaper Internet plans.

 

SUCK IT IN 

Here’s a slightly unpleasant Facebook post from last weekend

“To the semis we go!

Congratulations Mate Ma'a Tonga!

Congratulations Fiji Bati!

Constipation Samoa!”

Hey, c’mon!

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