When you see savings displayed alongside a Seatfrog upgrade, here’s how we work them out.
1. How are the savings calculated?
We calculate savings by comparing the average cost of a First Class ticket for your route (over the past 30 days) with the average cost of travelling Standard Class and upgrading through Seatfrog.
In short, it’s the difference between:
- the average First Class fare, and
- the average Standard Class fare plus the current upgrade bid price (including our small platform fee).
Since the upgrade price can change during the auction, the savings shown are based on the current bid price - they might update as the auction continues.
Here’s an example with fictional prices, let’s assume:
Average First Class ticket: £100
Average Standard Class ticket: £50
Current bid price + fee: £28
Savings: £100 - (£50 + £28) = £22 or 22%
2. Why do you use average fares instead of my actual ticket price?
We don’t always know the exact amount you paid for your original ticket, so we use the average Standard and First Class fares for your route over the past 30 days.
This keeps the calculation fair and consistent for everyone, based on real ticket prices.
3. Are these real or estimated savings?
They’re estimated savings based on actual fares sold over the past 30 days.
They’re not exact to your individual booking but are designed to give you a realistic idea of how much value you’re getting by upgrading with Seatfrog.
4. Why do you round the savings?
We round savings down to the nearest pound or percentage so that the number stays clear, simple, and never exaggerated. Our goal is to give you an honest sense of value, not the biggest possible number.
5. Why might savings not be shown for some auctions?
You might not always see savings displayed. This is an experiment, so we might not have enough data to calculate the savings for all routes and we only display savings if we’re confident in the data.
6. How often do you update the savings data?
Savings are based on average fares from the last 30 days and are refreshed daily to stay accurate. That means they may shift slightly as new data comes in or as the auction progresses.
7. Does the calculation include all fees?
Yes - your Seatfrog platform fee is included in the total cost we compare against the First Class fare, so the saving you see already reflects the full current upgrade price.
About the strike-through price
1. What does the strike-through price mean?
The strike-through price shows the typical difference between Standard and First Class fares for your route over the past 30 days. It’s there to give you a sense of what travellers usually pay to go First Class instead of Standard.
2. How is it calculated?
We use the average First Class fare and average Standard Class fare for your route from the last 30 days. The difference between these two gives us the strike-through price - a realistic view of what the usual upgrade to First Class costs.
Here’s an example with fictional prices, let’s assume:
Average First Class ticket: £100
Average Standard Class ticket: £50
Current bid price + fee: £28
Cost to go first class (strike-throught price):
£100 - £50 = £50 vs current Seatfrog upgrade £25
3. Why is this different from the savings shown?
The strike-through price represents the typical price difference between ticket types, while the savings show how much you could save based on the current upgrade price compared with those average fares.
In short:
- The strike-through price shows the usual gap.
- The savings show your potential deal at your current bid.
4. Why might the strike-through price change?
Because it’s based on recent fare data, it may shift slightly over time as average Standard and First Class ticket prices change.
5. Does it mean that’s exactly what I’d pay for First Class?
Not necessarily — it’s an average, not a live fare. It’s designed to help you see how the current upgrade bid compares to what passengers typically pay for First Class on your route.