Europe - Melbourne Xmas 2008 Flights

[SummerDays]

I am sure that some of your are wondering why I would post such a topic on an Australian flying forum but here goes..

I'm an Aussie based in Ireland and every 1 -2 years I fly home.
I have lived over in the Northern Hemisphere for over 10 years and have flown long haul I think on just about every airline going.

Every time I fly back to Melbourne in December I brace myself to try and book as early as possible, (usually as early in Jan/Feb the year before) check various flight consolidators i.e. Opodo, Expedia, EBookers, Travel Supermarket and direct airlines, end up eventually booking a flight and then wondering if I could have got a better deal.

I'm wondering however is there a better way? I'm basically looking for anyone with tips who may be doing the same thing and could suggest ways that they undertake this arduous search. I often wonder whether people in Oz doing the reverse may have an ingenuous plan that I may be able to perform in reverse

I am QF and former Ansett (now BMI) FF member so don't really have any preferences to airlines. As I live in Ireland I have to connect somewhere in Europe, whether that be the UK or elsewhere (last time I went via Rome and it was great) so sometimes the amount of options make the decision process more extensive.

Ignore me if this is completely off on a tangent but any advise would be greatly appreciated.
Its early January so Im about to start the next search soon. If it helps I want to fly out between 15 - 22nd Dec and return in the first two weeks of Jan i.e. maybe leaving on 5th

 

[Evan]

If your booking J/F rather than Y then avoid LHR, there is an 80 quid premium passenger movment charge.

ITA Software: Login is a good start to find some flights.... If i was me i like FRA as a transit but not sure about many connecting flights for you. FRA-GLA flights may be possible.

Can you take a cheap flight to LHR etc and then a cheap flight to MEL via SIN/HKG/BKK etc ? just leave plenty of time to connect which is a pain i know but may save some $$

Also booking around March/April may see some cheaper fares released. Seems the airlines release them by that time.

E

 

[Travel Guru]

perhaps check out EK, they often have some good fares to MEL from Europe.

TG

 

[Arthur Hodgson]

As I live in Ireland I have to connect somewhere in Europe

Well actually you don't. Another option is to fly to LAX on EI, DL, et al, then on to Australia via QF, UA or NZ (and whoever else may be flying at the time).

I would just check with the usual suspects, such as:
Travel: Airfares, hotels, vacations, cruises, car rentals and more at Travelocity.com
www.expedia.com
Travel and Transport Class Availability Tool
Cheap Worldwide Flights and cars, Discount Hotels, Bargain Holidays to Dubai, America, Australia and Thailand

You're certainly planning well in advance, though booking now may not give you the best fare, as specials will come along throughout the year. Maybe book a fully refundable fare now and wait and see what happens...

 

[NM]

Another option is to look for cheap BA fares from European ports. Try places like AMS that can be easy to reach and often provide much cheaper fares than ex-UK, especially for things like World traveller Plus fares that also earn good Status Credit rates for QF FF members. And since you would only be transiting at LHR, the Air Passenger Duty (GB) fee does not apply.