easiest route MEL - DEL- LAX-MEL

[Bitten]

Hi frequent fliers. I'd like help with what route I should be looking at- that may be the most cost effective and time friendly. In mid Sept I want to fly MEL to DEL then I need to be at LAX by early Oct. Is there a route I could look at to prevent coming back through MEL, or would that be the easiest and most economical option? Maybe a carrier offers that option?
Any ideas appreciated. TA Bitten

 

[Mattg]

Hi Bitten,

What class of travel are you looking at? Economy?

Also, would you at all be interested in a stopover in Europe between DEL and LAX? (This may provide the most cost-effective option.)

 

[Bitten]

Yes at this stage economy. Just started working on accruing frequent fliers. If a stop over means staying there, I don't think that's doable for us

 

[bsb]

If you're not a confident frequent flyer, maybe speak to a TA.

I'd be looking at a RTW *A fare, there are plenty of options. No need to backtrack as that will add expense.

 

[dajop]

One option would be to do two one ways. Look at kayak.com or skyscanner.com.

For example, I can see MEL-DEL on TG for a shade over $500. And then DEL-LAX on CX for $860. LAX-MEL could be more though $1000 on QF

The round the world fares are likely to be significantly more than just $2300, and not so useful if you only want the stops in DEL and LAX.

 

[Bitten]

Good suggestion. I wish I was an old hack at this. RTW sounds like an option and I'm guessing that's where the idea of a stop over in Europe comes from. Lots of homework req for me. Thanks

 

[Bitten]

Thanks for looking at those options for me. Seems silly but at this stage the most economical seems to be about $850 ret MEL to DEL Then Ret MEL to LAX for $1000. Doubling back seems a bit odd. Mind you I'm not familiar with distances / stop overs req to go forward

 

[andyhui01]

Easiest route I could work is MEL-DEL-SFO-LAX-MEL

All one ways. The Easiest way is direct DEL-SFO (Longest flight in the world I believe). MEL-DEL-SFO is about $1400 USD so far so all up inc the domestic leg would be about $2500USD

But your 2 returns are most cost effective if you have the time. Plus if you stick to VA/SQ or QF/MH you could net yourself some status credits.

 

[Mattg]

My suggestion, as per above would be to book a RTW ticket, but not one of the expensive multi-continent ones. Instead, have a look at the discounted RTW ticket available from Lufthansa. You could fly (for example) SYD-DEL-FRA-SFO-SYD for around $2,000. You have to book through a travel agent, but this page should give you an idea of what's available: Lufthansa Economy RTW Airfare | RoundAbout Travel

You would have to fly from DEL to SFO via Frankfurt (flying LH) - not sure if you have to stopover in FRA but if you do, I think anything over 24 hours would be sufficient. The SYD-DEL leg would be on SQ (via SIN) and SFO-SYD could be on QF (direct) or NZ (via AKL).

 

[Bitten]

Thanks everyone. I will start to investigate your great suggestions. Big learning curve coming up.