SIA Business Class tickets sold at Economy Class prices due to computer glitch

SIA Business Class tickets sold at Economy Class prices due to computer glitch

SINGAPORE - Singapore Airlines (SIA) reportedly made a mistake due to a computer glitch that resulted in travel agents in Australia selling Business Class tickets at Economy Class prices.

According to News Corp Australia Network, about 900 travellers bought the affected tickets between Nov 29 and Dec 1.

The Business Class tickets, which originally cost $6,615, were sold for about half its original price at $3,860, reported the Sydney Morning Herald.

The paper also reported that Australian travel agent Flight Centre was the first to notice the error on Saturday (Nov 29). The error was said to be corrected on Monday (Dec 1).

An SIA spokesperson who spoke to News Corp Australia Network said that the error happened after SIA reassigned a booking subclass originally designated to Economy Class bookings. This was supposed to be for Business Class bookings from Dec 8.

"A small number of travel agents in Australia sold Business Class tickets at an Economy Class fare level," the spokesperson said. "The airfare conditions for this fare states that it is only valid for Economy Class travel."

However, Channel NewsAsia (CNA) reported that SIA would not absorb the price difference. The SIA spokesperson said: "We have advised our travel agents of various options available to customers, including paying the difference to our lowest Business Class fare, travelling in Economy Class on the booked ticket, refunding the difference between the fare charged and our lead in Economy Class fares, or offering a full refund."

According to News Corp Australia Network, the price difference could add up to AU$5,000 (S$5,500). In addition, travel agents who cannot recover the money from customers have been told by SIA to pay up the difference themselves.

"Singapore Airlines would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused," the spokesperson added. The airline also ensured that it is working with travel agents to ensure that travel plans for customers are not disrupted and that they will all be notified of the issue, according to CNA.

stephluo@sph.com.sg

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