Fares to Honolulu April 2013

[applec]

Hi all. Hoping for some tips from all you seasoned flyers. We are planning on flying out to HNL from Syd on 6 Apr, returning 19 Apr. Was originally going to use FF points but was put off by the $1,420 worth of taxes that I need to pay for 2 adults & an infant. In 2011, I paid $521 in taxes for 2 adults. So, I thought it would be more economical to purchase tix to HNL & use the points for upgrades instead. So far Qantas & Jetstar specials to HNL are for travel to 31 March only. Does anyone have any ideas when fares for Apr will be released?

 

[mannej]

You can't use points to upgrade on JQ flights, and it's a lottery on QF at the best of times

 

[Mrmaxwell]

Good luck getting a sale to Hawaii during the school holiday/Easter month.

You should purchase tix in Y at a price you are happy with and if flying QF hope your upgrade request goes through.

Hawaii on both JQ and QF are just so popular with high loads that any kind of discount must be taken ASAP.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

I guess it's a bit late now if you've already booked but if you have Velocity ff points with VA you could use a partner award & redeem on HA.

We did an award ticket HNL/BNE which cost us 32,500 points plus US52.54 pp. I don't find economy award tickets on QF are worth the trouble whether it be Classic or Any Seat Award as international airfares are so cheap these days (eg you can get the same fare to the US today or even cheaper than 30 years ago) it's only a few hundred dollars more to buy a sale fare & earn points on it.

IMO it's much better value to use the points for J or F award tickets as many of us would not have the opportunity to travel up the front otherwise.

 

[elbarr]

Be careful with the Jetstar sale fares. We booked and paid in July 2012 to go to Honolulu in January. The recently advertised sale fares were the same price as what we paid in July.

 

[applec]

Thanks guys. At this stage I haven't booked anything yet. I am flexible with my travel plans. Any idea when airlines will be releasing discount fares & for what travel period it is likely to be?

 

[Mrmaxwell]

QF and JQ usually release sale fares for travel in 4-6 months time.

The recent JQ Boxing Day sale was for international travel July-Sept 13.

 

[chooms]

We took advantage of the recent JQ sale to book similar dates and got 2xSYD-HNL return + 25kg luggage each for $666.81 each. I know that doesn't help you know but I thought I would give you a comparison.

QF was a rip off and given the amount of domestic legs I travel on the 767's I figure a 9 hour international flight with JQ would be just as bad. Not worth the cost for the dreamtime seats. Would rather keep my points for JASA or FASA in the A380/744s.

Saw the JQ bargain for what it was during the school holiday period and took it.

Our hotel at Waikiki, on the other hand, cost a fortune....