I have posted before on this topic and it is interesting the travel and fare experiences which each poster has experienced. Many of the posters seem to share similar experiences when attempting to book/find discounted air fares.
I think that one of the advantages that we have as individuals is usually the ability to spend time searching for the best deals whereas if you use an agent like flight centre, they seem to be locked in to their own booking systems, which will give a reasonable fare, but usually can be beaten. I have booked two fares recently through flight centre after obtaining quotes from zuji. Firstly was PER-BKK in November with Flight Centre originally quoting $960 on Thai . I then received a quote from zuji for $960 which Flight Centre undercut as per their guarantee to $924. Given the time and routing I was happy with this deal as it was via coughet with a 2 hour layover outbound and a direct flight on return. One of the problems with flying from Perth is the lack of choices to SE Asia especially Thailand, where everything is routed through Singapore or KL and usually involves ticketing Qantas (which steadfastly refuses to have reasonable connections with anybody), and as I have noted on this and other forums, there seems to be a groundswell of opnion that Qantas needs to lift its game as there is a lot of dissatisfaction with their service (onboard). Royal Brunei is another option (no alcohol) which can be up to $100 cheaper or more depending on dates but be wary of the 12 hour layover in Brunei - although they will organise a day tour for you while waiting which is apparently quite good. Also on occasion they will overnight you for free.
I also recently booked a flight from Perth - London return for 2 friends and was able to significantly reduce their fares on fairly short notice. Flight Centre quoted $3800 for 2 return - out 30 September back 14 October (although they werent able to provide an outbound seat until 2 October)
Zuji quoted $3520 which Flight centre matched ($3500) a saving of $300 and on preferred dates. So FC are good to their word regarding beating any price.
This was on Emirates with a two hour layover in Dubai both ways, a much better option than via SIN in my opinion.
I think that if you want a good deal on fares (and accommodation) you have to do the legwork, and it pays off.
I travel to SE Asia fairly frequently and like to think that I know my way around reasonably well so when I saw this post on another forum:
"I am planning on my next trip to Thailand to do a tour of Asia. I was thinking of departing from the UK, to go to Singapore, Bali, Kuala Lumpur and then onwards to Thailand. My internal flights within Asia come to the staggering sum of £684.00. Which is additional on my ticket from the UK and back, to the UK, which is £502.00.
I am now thinking would i be saving money if i just purchase a ticket from the UK to BKK, and purchase my interanls flights around Asia, from BKK.
I would be grateful, of any advise and tips. Thankyou in advance guys"
I spent a little time getting together an itinerary just for fun (it was raining, and I had a delightful unwooded chardonnay for company) and came up with this: (for November)
Prices in $US
London - BKK return 908.00 Austrian Air
3 nights BKK 60.00
BKK - KL 23.00 Asian Air
3 nights KL 90.00
KL - Denpasar 30.00 Asian Air
Bali 3 night package incl. xfers,
b/fast and massage 263.00
Denpasar - SIN 79.00 Jetstar Asia
2 nights Singapore 108.00
SIN - BKK 19.00 Asian Air
3 nights BKK 60.00
BKK - Chiang Mai (return) 75.00
Chiang Mai 3 night package incl 160.00
xfers, b/fast, tours
BKK - Pattaya (return limo) 55.00
Pattaya 5 nights 80.00
Total $US 2010.00
GBP 1055.00
$AUD 2620.00
Given that the original price of GBP quoted was $1186.00 airfares only I think
that this is a pretty good deal (no, I am not an agent)
Sorry if I rambled on, but I hope that this may be interesting and helpful for forum members. There are great deals out there (getting through the minefield is the problem)