Pontius,
Did you get right to the end of the booking process?
About 18 months ago I was trying to book Mrs. 441 on the Emirates website for a flight that operates as QF52 from Singapore to Brissy, as Emirates appeared significantly cheaper.
I was astonished at the difference in price until I came to the 'confirm' page where an additional charge appeared in the fine print which took the fare up to within dollars of the Qantas fare. I can't remember the exact figures but it was of the order of QF fare $3500, Emirates fare $2200 at first glance, then $3500 with the fine print 'additions' on the confirm page. Had I not been in Singapore when booking it, I would have taken it up with the appropriate consumer advocate as it was quite deceptive.
She flew home with Etihad for $2000!