BNE - LAX Sept / Oct 2010 - Pricing Release

[psi999]

First of all, long time reader, first time poster etc etc

Am planning a quick trip a US trip next year departing mid September returning mid October and am looking to secure flights/dates asap (for earlybird discounted accommodation & car hire).

Have been following the price of flights for some time with specials only avail to around April next year, when would I expect to start seeing the bulk of specials released for the period above?

And which airlines fly from Australia via Japan (Tokyo/Osaka etc) from a quick look around it appears AA and JAL offer this route – any others? (I have family living in Japan so a quick stopover on the return would be fantastic).

And while I’m at it, any other tips and tricks to secure a decent price on the above flights?

Thanks all!

 

[serfty]

You could monitor the fares for all competing airlines (QF, NZ, DJ, DL, UA etc) as well as keeping an eye on SYD/MEL-LAX.

I was doing this for March next year and finally, around August, the prices came down.

 

[docjames]

Welcome psi999.

FWIW, my practice is to make an extimate of what i think a "bargain" is, then watch. In the case of BNE-LAX (or let's say east cost AUS to west coast USA as it's more options), my perosnal feeling is anything under AUD $1k (return) is not bad if it's the dates/flights i want.

Last 12 months the low has been about $744 (DL did a $777 special at launch, UA matched with $744 i believe) but of course these were highly restrictive.

So I watch regularly until I see a price i'm happy with, at sdates/tiems i'm also happy with, then I just book it. If that subsequently falls, so be it, i've secured a seat, at a price I can afford, so it doesnt matter.


For instance, if i saw a special at $995 and it had the combo of dates/times i wanted, i'd probably book and take the risk there'd be a $800 odd sale.

You have to factor in what you think the airlines will do. You also know what the "base" price currently is, and that factors into how good a deal you get / think you've got.

I'm sure others have differing views on prices. But his is just one method.

There's no real time to expect specials - you just have to keep watching. Signing up to airline mailing lists helps FWIW.

Good luck.

 

[psi999]

Have been meaning to chuck a post in here thanking all who replied…. Some fantastic advice here (and Forum in general – great resource!).

Ended up losing scope (so much for a QUICK US trip) and blowing out from a quick 1-2 week jaunt to a solid 4 week holiday (although I’ll likely need a holiday upon my return as has been packed quite tight).

For those who are interested these are the flights I ended up booking (with prices in AUD for again anyone that’s interested).

Flights are Late August / Sept 2010

BNE – NAN – LAX (Air Pacific - $676)
LAX – MKE – DCA (Frontier Airlines - $167)
BOS – DEN – LAS (Continental Airlines - $123)
LAS – SFO (United Airlines - $111)
SFO – LAX (American Airlines - $121)
LAX – HKG (Cathay Pacific - $639)
HKG – SIN (United Airlines - $207)
SIN – BNE (Etihad Airways - $454)

Came in at $2498 ($1957 international component) – was pretty surprised as I paid not much less than this for BNE – LHR 18 months ago!.

Cheers, Jon