Advice on fare trends for BNE to USA

[pameeela]

Hi, first time posting, hope this is the right place

I need to book a work trip from BNE in mid-March, ideally multi-city from BNE to JFK/LGA and then back ORD to BNE. Just yesterday, the premium economy fares were running about $4,200 for this journey, and I sought approval but didn't hear back until today. And now the exact same dates/times/route is $5,600.

This was quite a shock and I'm not sure I will get it approved at this price! So back to economy for me. Does anyone have any insight into whether that kind of sale is over and never to return? Or would it be worth the risk to wait? It is still more than three months away, but I realise it could continue to go up as well.

Any advice from the experts would be appreciated.

 

[wandering_fred]

Still selected flights on AA in that price range (12 Mar-19Mar)
CX via HKG is lower in price. EVA will be cheaper still.
Play with google flights to help arrange your wandering
Fred

 

[pameeela]

Thanks Fred, I should have said, I'm looking at Qantas as I have Gold status. AA would do also, but their pricing is a bit confusing -- it says $4k return for premium but that fare seems to be only based on premium for one direction, when you go to choose the fare back, it's more like $8k AUD.

 

[Mwenenzi]

Thanks Fred, I should have said, I'm looking at Qantas as I have Gold status. AA would do also, but their pricing is a bit confusing -- it says $4k return for premium but that fare seems to be only based on premium for one direction, when you go to choose the fare back, it's more like $8k AUD.

Just looking at QF will restrict your options (and $$$). Other oneworld airlines AU<--->USA are AA and FJ.

Only QF fly long haul into NYC (SYD-AKL-JFK). And Air NZ AKL-JFK, Otherwise a USA domestic flight (AA AS for oneworld)
No USA, AU or NZ airlines fly from ORD non stop to AU. Been rumored for years QF ORD-BNE as possibility. Air NZ used to fly AKL<--->ORD, but they have a lack of long haul aircraft.

For best price look at airlines other than QF.
A good real travel agent may be of help.

 

[Forg]

One related piece of info I might chuck on the table … was chatting with a workmate yesterday, he & his wife are heading off to Bangladesh & Sri Lanka (ex Sydney) for 2 weeks over Christmas & New Year. I asked whether they’d booked way in advance to get a decent fare; he said no, actually, he’s been keeping an eye on fares for the last few months & only booked a couple of weeks ago for the best price he’s seen since pre COVID. His hypothesis is cost-of-living related, people just generally aren’t spending for the Chrimbo period like they normally would, so demand is down.

I doubt much will change economically nor US-safety-wise between now & March. Of course there could be other stuff going-on WRT March which makes the Christmas period price drops irrelevant.

 

[pameeela]

Thanks for the advice, I just ended up booking it for $5,500. I can always cancel it and rebook if the fares go down significantly. I guess it's a lesson in jumping on the sale fares when you see them!

 

[Mwenenzi]

AFF article. But need to get to/from NAN and JFK/ ORD

Airfare of the Week: Fiji Airways Business Nadi-Los Angeles $4,873 Return

This Airfare of the Week features Oneworld member Fiji Airways' well-priced Business Class tickets from Nadi to Los Angeles. To maximise your Qantas Points & status credits, you could even fly via Hong Kong for a similar price.

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

Thanks for the advice, I just ended up booking it for $5,500. I can always cancel it and rebook if the fares go down significantly. I guess it's a lesson in jumping on the sale fares when you see them!

Is that for BNE--xyz-JFk and ORD-zxz-BNE?