Best ie cheapest time to book Qantas to the USA for Jan 08

[littl_flier]

Hello everyone, I'm a new member to this forum

I've been planning my first trip to the US and just found out from my local TA that the Qantas fare for me has increased by about $300 since the first quote I got (a few weeks ago approx). I'm thinking of waiting and get more quotes but do you guys think that the fares will ever be cheaper the more I wait? Thanks everyone.

Edit: Btw my trip will be in Dec 07.

Hi blue_ice and Welcome to AFF. Qantas had a sale a couple of weeks ago to the US so I have a feeling you may have been quoted these fares. My advice if travelling Dec 1-9 is to wait as this is the mid-season cut-off and any fares that are put on special will be in this date range. Traditionally, QF have high loads post Dec 10 and they don't need to discount. Post Dec 10, I also doubt whether the fares will decrease, but more likely increase and the lower fare buckets sell out. So Dec 1-9- perhaps hold off but this is a gamble. Post Dec 10, you might just have to wear it.

PS. My friend recently got stung like you. We're going to New York in November/December together and she decided to hold off on booking (even though I told her it would go up). Turns out the fare went up $700 and as you can imagine, she wasn't happy. Fortunately I found her a student fare but we can't fly together due to her booking class on the way over. Bottom line, sale fares don't hang around forever so if theres a good one, snap it up!

Hope this helps!

 

[blue_ice]

Thanks for the warm welcome

serfty, thanks for the link. The recent fare quoted to me was inline with the price there. So I guess my local TA is not overcharging me...

littl_flier, thanks for the info. My flight will be around Dec 1-9 however I think I'll book pretty soon to avoid fares going up even more. If I'd known fares to the US fluctuate this much I'd have booked sooner. Oh well...

Do you guys think I should bother checking with other TA's? Will their prices vary by much?

PS: I've never travelled to destinations other than Asia and I've always booked with one agent in Chinatown who's always got the best price. However for flights to the US they are more expensive than my local TA. So this is my first time dealing with other agents

Thanks in advance

 

[littl_flier]

I've never travelled to destinations other than Asia and I've always booked with one agent in Chinatown who's always got the best price. However for flights to the US they are more expensive than my local TA. So this is my first time dealing with other agents

Generally all TA's have access to the same fares but if you want to be sneaky, you can do the price compare challenge. I know with Flight Centre, if you take them in a fare (even from Zuji or the QF website) they will match and beat- it's part of the company policy for "Simply Unbeatable". My general beats are between $20 and $50 but do note they hit you up for a 1.5% CC surcharge which rises to 3% for AMEX and Diners. Bpay or cash and you'll be fine though.

The other option to look at is land fares (or for some other TA's- Wholesale Fares) which require you to spend X amount of dollars (usually $100-$300) on land based arrangments (tours and accomodation) but give you a significant reduction in fare which can sometimes make the accomodation and tours effectively free.

There is a current special to the US at supercheap prices. I have copied a link here but for LA or New York, fares work out around $1500. Travel is QF or JAL to Tokyo and AA onwards to the US. This isn't the greatest fare for points though but if you are just looking for a cheap fare, this is pretty good.

Hope this helps. Maybe mention that you have had past problems or they are expensive and you are looking for a new TA to the one you decide to book with. They may offer some sweeteners to try and keep you. I have a TA consultant who I book with. She works part time but I have her mobile so I can call her at all hours and she always knock $20 off the cheapest airfare available and I get 50% of Travel Insurance. So loyalty can help.

Good luck!

 

[Mal]

There is a current special to the US at supercheap prices.

I've already snapped up a fare at that price ~$50 cheaper at Zuji than bestflights if you can find availability from your city.

I've done this route before. the NRT-JFK is mind-numbing and same return. No points to Qantas - you've gotta credit to AA (Although, it will give AA Gold in an AA challenge)

 

[littl_flier]

Mal, I've had a look on Zuji and can't get the fare to appear for BNE and the availability is shot out of SYD due to the lack of availability out of SYD on QF21. It would be ok if you could take QF135 (much more availability) but this requires a stopover as its 24hrs 05mins between the arrival of QF and departure of AA.

Are you Brisbane based or does anyone know what I'm doing wrong?

It is a good deal though! Not a good MR itself but not bad for a YUP BWI-HNL for 780 sc's.

 

[Mal]

Mal, I've had a look on Zuji and can't get the fare to appear for BNE and the availability is shot out of SYD due to the lack of availability out of SYD on QF21.

Couldn't find it out of BNE either. I ended up routing through Sydney (Preferred to anyway) on QF21. Much better plane than the 767's, and no forced overnight in Narita. ~$240 extra though, which is about what I save in 1 night's accom in Narita. I still get ~12 hours to explore Tokyo which will be nice.

Bestflights is probably your best bet (or maybe travel.com.au) if you want the ex-BNE fares. FlightCentre et.al should be able to pricematch too if there is availability.

 

[Jenelle]

*nods*

My problem definitely has been my 4th Jan departure date.

Anything from the 10th December onwards seems high.

I have been able to hold out this long and there has been no change so i'll be paying $2993 for MEL - LAX return. Using points to washington DC and back.

 

[JohnK]

I have been able to hold out this long and there has been no change so i'll be paying $2993 for MEL - LAX return. Using points to washington DC and back.

Jenelle you haven't mentioned the exact dates of travel so I am only doing a rough calculation. Are you dead set on going with Qantas/Oneworld all the way?

Use a little creative thinking and refine as you see fit.

If you book MEL-LAX for $2993 and use points for LAX-IAD-BOS-LAS-LAX which is 59,000 QFF points + ~A$12. So all up around $3000.

• Why not find a cheap way to get to HNL? For example MEL-HNL with JQ travelling Jan 4 2008 and returning 11 Feb 2008 costs $1220 return.
  • Then HNL-ATL-(IAD)-JFK-(BOS)-(LAS)-SLC-HNL with DL prices to US$1080, ~A$1300. Total cost for JQ and DL option $2520 and you have saved 59,000 FF points and $480.
  • Or HNL-SFO-(IAD)-(BOS)-ORD-(LAS)-SFO-HNL with UA prices to US$1141, ~A$1370. Total cost for JQ and UA option $2590 and you have saved 59,000 points and $410.
  • Or HNL-(IAD)-(BOS)-(LAS)-HNL using QFF points which is 84,000 FF points + $20. Total for JQ and QFF points option is $1240 + QFF points.

There are many other variations which could prove beneficial to you. Due to peak season I do not see a point in paying $3000 to travel with QF just to earn 90 SCs and 15,846 FF points, assuming you do not have QF status. I notice that you are a member of DL and UA so taking the JQ option with DL and UA would also add some FF points to the DL and UA FF programs.

Good luck and hope you find this information helpful.

 

[littl_flier]

Jenelle you haven't mentioned the exact dates of travel so I am only doing a rough calculation. Are you dead set on going with Qantas/Oneworld all the way?

Use a little creative thinking and refine as you see fit.

If you book MEL-LAX for $2993 and use points for LAX-IAD-BOS-LAS-LAX which is 59,000 QFF points + ~A$12. So all up around $3000.

• Why not find a cheap way to get to HNL? For example MEL-HNL with JQ travelling Jan 4 2008 and returning 11 Feb 2008 costs $1220 return.
  • Then HNL-ATL-(IAD)-JFK-(BOS)-(LAS)-SLC-HNL with DL prices to US$1080, ~A$1300. Total cost for JQ and DL option $2520 and you have saved 59,000 FF points and $480.
  • Or HNL-SFO-(IAD)-(BOS)-ORD-(LAS)-SFO-HNL with UA prices to US$1141, ~A$1370. Total cost for JQ and UA option $2590 and you have saved 59,000 points and $410.
  • Or HNL-(IAD)-(BOS)-(LAS)-HNL using QFF points which is 84,000 FF points + $20. Total for JQ and QFF points option is $1240 + QFF points.

There are many other variations which could prove beneficial to you. Due to peak season I do not see a point in paying $3000 to travel with QF just to earn 90 SCs and 15,846 FF points, assuming you do not have QF status. I notice that you are a member of DL and UA so taking the JQ option with DL and UA would also add some FF points to the DL and UA FF programs.

Good luck and hope you find this information helpful.

Or even JQ to HNL and then an AA YUP HNL-BWI (Baltimore Washington in First Class) fare that prices at AUD$~2000 and earns between 500-700 SC's making up for those lost on the LAX segment. The date range I have used in Jan 4th returning Jan 18 but you can seach yourself on the AA website under First Class with Restrictions. It may overall price out just higher than the QF to LAX option but it saves 59000 FF points and earns a bucket load. If you are flexible with your date home, I can get a fare for $USD1350 which makes it even better.

Just some thoughts.

Carrier Flight
# Departing Arriving Aircraft
Type Cabin [IMG]http://www.aa.com/content/images/common/sm_AAdvantageLogo.gif[/IMG] 
Flight
Miles Meals Travel
Time City Date & Time City Date & Time [IMG]http://www.aa.com/content/images/carrierLogos/AAL.gif[/IMG] 
AMERICAN AIRLINES 162 HNL
Honolulu/ Oahu Jan 04, 2008
02:05 PM LAX
Los Angeles Jan 04, 2008
09:25 PM 763First
[URL="http://www.aa.com/apps/utility/jsp/JspViewAvailableSeats.jhtml?extFlightNumber=162&extDepMonth=1&extDepDate=4&extOrigin=HNL&extDestination=LAX&extCabinClass=First&fromFlightSearch=true&bookingPathStateId=1183193417976-383"][COLOR=#0000ff]View Seats[/COLOR][/URL] 2556Lunch 15 hr 
30 min [IMG]http://www.aa.com/content/images/carrierLogos/AAL.gif[/IMG] 
AMERICAN AIRLINES 2404 LAX
Los Angeles Jan 05, 2008
12:25 AM DFW
Dallas/ Fort Worth Jan 05, 2008
05:10 AM 738First
[URL="http://www.aa.com/apps/utility/jsp/JspViewAvailableSeats.jhtml?extFlightNumber=2404&extDepMonth=1&extDepDate=5&extOrigin=LAX&extDestination=DFW&extCabinClass=First&fromFlightSearch=true&bookingPathStateId=1183193417976-383"][COLOR=#0000ff]View Seats[/COLOR][/URL] 1235Refreshments [IMG]http://www.aa.com/content/images/carrierLogos/AAL.gif[/IMG] 
AMERICAN AIRLINES 1576 DFW
Dallas/ Fort Worth Jan 05, 2008
06:45 AM BWI
Baltimore Jan 05, 2008
10:35 AM M80First
[URL="http://www.aa.com/apps/utility/jsp/JspViewAvailableSeats.jhtml?extFlightNumber=1576&extDepMonth=1&extDepDate=5&extOrigin=DFW&extDestination=BWI&extCabinClass=First&fromFlightSearch=true&bookingPathStateId=1183193417976-383"][COLOR=#0000ff]View Seats[/COLOR][/URL] 1217Breakfast [B]Alert: [/B]Overnight flight or connection. [IMG]http://www.aa.com/content/images/carrierLogos/AAL.gif[/IMG] 
AMERICAN AIRLINES 2057 BWI
Baltimore Jan 18, 2008
08:20 AM DFW
Dallas/ Fort Worth Jan 18, 2008
10:50 AM M80First
[URL="http://www.aa.com/apps/utility/jsp/JspViewAvailableSeats.jhtml?extFlightNumber=2057&extDepMonth=1&extDepDate=18&extOrigin=BWI&extDestination=DFW&extCabinClass=First&fromFlightSearch=true&bookingPathStateId=1183193417976-383"][COLOR=#0000ff]View Seats[/COLOR][/URL] 1217Breakfast 13 hr 
0 min [IMG]http://www.aa.com/content/images/carrierLogos/AAL.gif[/IMG] 
AMERICAN AIRLINES 123 DFW
Dallas/ Fort Worth Jan 18, 2008
11:45 AM HNL
Honolulu/ Oahu Jan 18, 2008
04:20 PM 763First
[URL="http://www.aa.com/apps/utility/jsp/JspViewAvailableSeats.jhtml?extFlightNumber=123&extDepMonth=1&extDepDate=18&extOrigin=DFW&extDestination=HNL&extCabinClass=First&fromFlightSearch=true&bookingPathStateId=1183193417976-383"][COLOR=#0000ff]View Seats[/COLOR][/URL] 3784Lunch 
Snack or Brunch

 

[JohnK]

Or even JQ to HNL and then an AA YUP HNL-BWI (Baltimore Washington in First Class) fare that prices at AUD$~2000 and earns between 500-700 SC's making up for those lost on the LAX segment.

It is a good suggestion but it would still price at well over $3000 which the OP was trying to avoid. The OP also mentioned that she will need to get to BOS and LAS at some stage which I have factored into the alternate calculations. Under your suggestion she would still need to purchase separate airfares for these stopovers which will price the whole itinerary even higher.

I may be mistaken but it sounds like the OP is trying to minimise cost, not maximise status, as much as possible. It appears that there are some sensible people on AFF!

 

[littl_flier]

I may be mistaken but it sounds like the OP is trying to minimise cost, not maximise status, as much as possible. It appears that there are some sensible people on AFF![/quote]

There probably are a few sensible ones out there not just chasing a "different coloured FF card." Sorry, I missed the BOS and LAS stops which does make my suggestion useless. Good thoughts JohnK.

 

[Jenelle]

Wow you guys are amazing!!! *jaw drops*

I guess for me the issue is time - the straight MEL-LAX, shower and lunch in the Admirals club and then the AA straight to Wash is what appeals.

The points and status don't really worry me as I tend to get more points on my CC usage etc than any flying! LOL I guess I am just so used to the LAX - MEL, landing at 9.30am etc is that I know nothing else! LOL

Your suggestion of HNL is appealing! Basically I need to go straight to Wash DC and be there for two weeks, then a week in NYC (or 1/2 week NYC, 1/2 week Bos - haven't decided)- I also have a week after that which I was thinking of heading back to LA but HNL is a great idea.. have never been there before!

So my dates would be looking like -
4 Feb - Wash DC
27 Jan - JFK or BOS - HNL
2/3 or 4 Feb - HNL - MEL

I'm not going to have enough the 84,000 FF points to utilise points and I have flown Delta lots so that is no hassle. I am going to go and check all of these out now! Wohoo!!

 

[JohnK]

Your suggestion of HNL is appealing!

It is a good starting point as JQ prices are still relatively low and flights into USA are also relatively cheap. Just need to be cautious with JQ flights as some of the dates appear to be really expensive. Even if you have to leave 1-2 days earlier and spend money on accommodation instead can possibly save money.

Basically I need to go straight to Wash DC and be there for two weeks, then a week in NYC (or 1/2 week NYC, 1/2 week Bos - haven't decided)- I also have a week after that which I was thinking of heading back to LA but HNL is a great idea.. have never been there before!

Should not be a problem. Just use the multi-city option provided by the DL, UA and AA websites.

I'm not going to have enough the 84,000 FF points to utilise points and I have flown Delta lots so that is no hassle. I am going to go and check all of these out now! Wohoo!!

Have fun. From my research last night DL looked to be cheapest. Let us know if you have any issues with pricing an itinerary.

 

[Jenelle]

Ok having a play with flights etc and I have had to do some changes.

I must work on Thurs 3rd so I can only leave on Jan 4th.

With the Jetstar flight to HNL, the problem is I arrive in Wash on the 5th of Jan due to the Jetstar flight leaving later and no early connections to LAX - this is difficult as I have to be up and ready at 8am on the Sunday 6th. It also meant basically a full day at HNL airport.

Now if I pay for one way MEL - LAX it is $2,100
Flight from LAX - DCA with Delta (alaskan air) - $200
Fly from JKF - HNL - using points - 36,000 or flying Alaska/Hawaiian - $482
Fly fron HNL - MEL - $506

So for an extra $280 using no points at all or saving $200 and using $36,000 points! LOL

This has really opened up my travel options and makes the $2993 to LAX look ridiculous!

Wohoo now I am excited about Hawaii too!

 

[littl_flier]

I'm pleased we could help Janelle, we're always happy to help. Hawaii would be a great way of doing it. The $2000 to LAX oneway looks incredibly unappealing thogh :shock: but I like the solution you have come up with. The most important thing to the best.

So for an extra $280 using no points at all or saving $200 and using $36,000 points! LOL

This seems like a no brainer. I would always be happy to pay the extra $280 if you gifted me 36,000 miles.

PS. If you are now just looking one way, Air Canada have a fare to DCA for $2030 including taxes and saves you on LAX-DCA segment. A copy of the routing is below. Air Canada will have the new product on the route in January which includes the new economy class and no stopover in Honolulu on the way over. The flight is direct to Vancouver from Sydney. You arrive at 7pm on January 4th.

[IMG]http://www.bestflights.com.au/ns/images/logos_tailfins/qf.gif[/IMG]Qantas Airways ( QF 414 )
Boeing 767-300 
01h 20mMelbourne Tullamarine [ MEL ]
[B]08:00[/B] 04-Jan-2008Sydney [ SYD ]
[B]09:20[/B] 04-Jan-2008[IMG]http://www.bestflights.com.au/ns/images/logos_tailfins/ac.gif[/IMG]Air Canada ( AC 34 )
77W 
This flight includes the following enroute stops:[B]Arrives / Departs [/B](local time)[B]Duration[/B]Vancouver [YVR]
[B]06:40[/B] 04-Jan-2008 - [B]08:30[/B] 04-Jan-200801h 50m 
[URL="http://www.bestflights.com.au/ns/flights/search/index.php#"][COLOR=#0000ff]Enroute stops[/COLOR][/URL]
20h 10mSydney [ SYD ]
[B]11:35[/B] 04-Jan-2008Toronto [ YYZ ]
[B]15:45[/B] 04-Jan-2008[IMG]http://www.bestflights.com.au/ns/images/logos_tailfins/ac.gif[/IMG]Air Canada ( AC 310 )
E75 
01h 25mToronto [ YYZ ]
[B]18:00[/B] 04-Jan-2008Washington - Ronald Reagan National [ DCA ]
[B]19:25[/B] 04-Jan-2008

 

[littl_flier]

Air NZ and Air Canada also have one-way options to LAX pricing around $1400 for Jan 4th.

 

[Jenelle]

Ummmm..

Ok I did a search on Zuji and Expedia and up has come the same flight that was going to cost me $2100 on the Qantas site... is $1600 using AA codeshare. It is the EXACT same flight.

Is that for real?!?!?!?

 

[littl_flier]

Most probably. If you're keen on flying Qantas I would snap it up- it may earn no mile on Qantas though as it probably books into N O or Q class.

 

[serfty]

Are you referring to one-way MEL-LAX on the 4th Jan?

You can get this on AA.com for USD1373 (AUD1635)

H class: (HHAPOW)

 

[Jenelle]

Yup that is teh one!!!

Is it better to book through them? I don't have a US credit card or anything.

Expedia is about the same-ish I think.

Seriously - I can't believe the hassle and COST you all have saved me. I will document it once it is all booked!!!

WOHOOO!!