Advice re SYD-EZE flights for Antarctica cruise in Jan 2024

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We are booked on an Antarctica cruise in January 2024 that was originally booked for 2021, then re-booked for 2022 and 2023 so we definitely want to go next January. If possible we would like to fly in J , flying SYD-SCL-EZE in early January and returning in early February, and we will book AEP-USH later when Aerolineas Argentinas release their flights. We plan to leave SYD a week before the cruise departs and will stay in Buenos Aires a couple of days and fly to USH 3 or 4 days before the cruise. This is to allow flexibility with flight delays and possible delayed or lost baggage to ensure we arrive in plenty of time before the cruise departure.

I've been watching air fares and been waiting for the dates we need to be released. On February 02 I saw return fares with QF for dates as close to what we need that had been released at the time at $5161 Saver Y, $9349 for PE and Saver J at $10486. On Feb 10 a combination of sale and saver Y fares were showing as $4361, PE saver and sale $9424 and J saver $10661. On March 07, for dates we actually need, I could get Y for $4365, PE for $9428 and J Saver for $10665. I have just looked today and see Y saver for $3413, PE saver for $7841 and J Flex for $12466. Sometimes I have seen fares cheaper by moving dates a day or 2 either way and these fares I have listed are the best I can see now with dates that work for us. I've looked at LA J fares and they are higher than QF.

I was hoping we wouldn't have to pay more than approx 10K return for each of us but since the J saver fares are no longer available it looks like we have to decide soon whether to pay $12,500 each for J. If there is a sale for South America flights would it be possible QF could release more J saver fares or is it likely that they have already sold so many J seats that they won't need to release any more discounted seats? If we decide to pay this price for J fares I would think we should book them soon.

The Y fares seem to be gradually becoming cheaper as the J fares are rising. If we decide to fly in Y, which I would prefer not to do except for the reason of cost, we are allowed one bag up to 32kg with QF. I would want to purchase an additional bag as I would prefer to have 2 bags with less than 23kg in each bag rather than one under 32kg. For the AEP-USH AR flights they have a lower baggage allowance and I would rather have to pay for a lighter extra bag rather than with just one bag up to 32kg.

Looking at QF charges for additional baggage flying to South America, the QF website says that additional baggage charges only apply to QF operated flights. Does anyone have experience in purchasing additional baggage in advance through QF for flights from EZE to SYD when the initial flights are with LA or KL connecting with QF?

Thanks for any advice you can offer.
 
Have you looked at flights on LATAM? Flights on LA appear to be about $US7.5k.
 
Last edited:
Have you looked at flights on LATAM? Flights on LA appear to be about $US7.5k.
Thanks MELso. I've just looked at Latam again but looking at SYD-EZE for Jan 4, 3,2,1 all show "Premium Business - Top" fares at USD7913.27 + EZE-SYD on Feb 04 at USD3003.05 for Premium Business - Plus" or USD4981.05 for "Premium Business - Top" so after converting to AUD a lot more than QF.
 
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And while a longer trip via LAX or other US port?
Thanks luxury-lizard. I've just done a quick search on the QF website. I put in SYD-LAX on 02 Jan, LAX-EZE on 03 Jan, EZE-LAX on 04 Feb and LAX-SYD on 06 Feb all in J and the price came up as $A24,981 for one passenger.
 
FWIW: I have an Antarctic cruise in December but I only need to get to SCL, as the cruise includes flights from there. Super cautious, I'm arriving 5 days prior!!

About 2 months ago, I got my Travel agent to price all possible J fares to SCL, incl via other Pacific countries and via the Middle East. Ended up booking QF direct for about $8K. My TA said it would only get more expensive as time rolled on. They knew they would be doing the booking no matter what (so no reason to 'hurry me up' to get business), so I took their advice and booked there and then, not waiting for a sale. Bit of a gamble, but if its a really good sale, I can cancel & rebook.

That reminds me .... much check the baggage allowance on the cruise charters!
 
I managed to get ff J seats syd scl ret in dec and jan and will ad my bits on for my cruise which ship are u on?
I just grabbed some feb in J for clients
don’t you have points the fares in J are rediculous
 
I managed to get ff J seats syd scl ret in dec and jan and will ad my bits on for my cruise which ship are u on?
I just grabbed some feb in J for clients
don’t you have points the fares in J are rediculous
I'm booked on the G Adventures "G Expedition". I do have points but didn't see anything in J available.
 
Thanks everyone for your replies. I managed to book an LH round the world fare in J for under $9K and fly SYD-SCL-EZE with LA, EZE-FRA and then FRA-SIN with LH and SIN-SYD with SQ. THis worked out considerably cheaper than flying SYD-SCL-EZE and return with either QF or LA.
 

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