Monash preferred airlines

Monash University's policy in regard to air travel is to allow the traveller to seek out the " best fare of the day " or " lowest logical fare of the day " with one of the nominated TMCs (HRG Australia or Voyager Travel Corporation). Whereas there is no direct compulsion to travel with a particular carrier it is important to note that Monash University has negotiated airfare deals with its top four carriers being -

1. Qantas (International and Domestic)
2. Singapore Airlines (International)
3. Malaysian Airlines (International)
4. Virgin Blue (International and Domestic)

These airlines offer discounted fares or "private fares" to the University and more often than not, these discounts, being available only through HRG and Voyager end up being the most attractive price wise. In this regard bookings made via HRG or Voyager, on the above carriers, ensure that we capture the level of expenditure that, in turn, helps maintain the discounts in place.

Best fare of the day versus lowest logical fare of the day

Because the travel industry has hundreds of available fares for a particular destination, some of them published fares and others listed as specials, then the best fare of the day may well be the lowest available fare but not necessarily the most convenient.

In this regard, the travel industry often refers to the most suitable fare as being the lowest logical fare, rather than the best fare, and one that therefore better fits a person's travel need / itinerary, has fewer stop-overs or flies by a more direct route.

It is important to note that fares can change by the hour let alone by the day as airline "yield managers" adjust available inventory on planes. So, the availability of fares is a usually is very much variable and often a feast or famine. The one rule that should apply is that bookings should be made as early as possible to take advantage of the lower priced seats.