Flights between Australia and Hawaii struggling

[Sprucegoose]

One would think so, the idea is to fill seats. I get so annoyed trying to book QF J award to HNL and get that JQ J sorry PE award seats.

There is nothing more perishable than an airline seat !!

 

[Pushka]

I hadn't considered it for a long time but with those JQ fares it might make for a more economical trip to Vancouver next time. There must be some pretty good deals with Westjet to Hawaii from YVR. The direct flight with Air Canada from SYD is outrageously expensive for no good reason except that it's a monopoly most of the year. AC is only on a par with Jetstar at best anyway.

I'm sorting out such a trip right now. Using AA miles to get from Honolulu to Vancouver return. Just have to figure out how to get to Hawaii and back.

 

[samiam]

Agree with all of the above re the tanking AUD - I was in Waikiki 2 weeks ago and, whilst the state tax is relatively low, the base prices for goods are higher than in Vegas (heavily subsidised) and LA.

The shopping is comparatively ordinary (Waikele Premium Outlets) compared to those in LA, Vegas and New York, although the Ala Moana Center is pretty impressive.

It's changed a lot in 20 or so years - it's very touristy, and I'd describe it as an overblown Surfers Paradise - I'll be one less returning traveller, not assisting those loads - YMMV.

 

[RAM]

Agree with all of the above re the tanking AUD - I was in Waikiki 2 weeks ago and, whilst the state tax is relatively low, the base prices for goods are higher than in Vegas (heavily subsidised) and LA.

The shopping is comparatively ordinary (Waikele Premium Outlets) compared to those in LA, Vegas and New York, although the Ala Moana Center is pretty impressive.

It's changed a lot in 20 or so years - it's very touristy, and I'd describe it as an overblown Surfers Paradise - I'll be one less returning traveller, not assisting those loads - YMMV.

The best shopping on Oahu is NOT Ala Moana - that is a tourist trap of grand proportions. It is the place 'to be seen' and the tour guides get a commission for taking coaches there (like with the Chinese and Jap tourists in Sydney). Worth a walk around and has some great food places.

On one of the early trips there (got addicted) was talking to a local at the international markets and she told us of several other malls etc to go to. One (I forget the name) has a monorail for getting around within it.

Depends what you are looking to buy as to whether you get 'value'.

Years ago the amount I saved on a bike frame more than paid for the 7 night package cost. Some other items are much more expensive - really depends for electronics whether made in China or not.

Totally agree that Waikiki is tourist central - go one block back from the beach and its a concrete canyon that could be anywhere (apart from the near-perfect weather most of the year).

Last time there one thing was still dirt cheap, no make that two: coughtails & ABC Stores Aloe Vera Gel.

The Gel (anyone going!!!) looks like green slime, and oozes as you'd expect. Used to be in a clear plastic approx 400ml bottle with yellow writing on it. Cost less than USD5. If still available it is worth 10 to 20 times the price.

If you turn out like a lobster (by mistake) and rub this stuff on the same day then most of the time you don't peel and the pain is gone by the next morning. It is incredible stuff but I can't see it in their online shop (not fancy enough I suppose).

Been a few years since last trip there and the 4 bottles we brought back finally ran out late 2014. Some neighbours begged us for it after our kids were OK next day and their's were still suffering from the sun burn.

 

[samiam]

The best shopping on Oahu is NOT Ala Moana - that is a tourist trap of grand proportions <snip>.

I suggested it was pretty impressive, and didn't have the opportunity to compare or contrast with several other malls, however there are some quite good high end shops there, and the prices are favourable when compared with Australia.

And the gel is still available at the ABC stores

 

[RAM]

And the gel is still available at the ABC stores

YES!

Now all I need is to find someone going over there with check in-luggage who I can beg a bottle or two (and I have the USD cash for them!).

 

[JohnPhelan]

On one of the early trips there (got addicted) was talking to a local at the international markets and she told us of several other malls etc to go to. One (I forget the name) has a monorail for getting around within it.

You're thinking of Pearl Ridge, over near Pearl Harbor.

The Windward Mall and Kahala Mall are also probably better (along with Pearl Ridge) - smaller than Ala Moana and designed for locals, rather than tourists.

 

[Warks]

A worthy opinion, but I'd certainly disagree. Needing to go to YYC 3-5 times a year for business I have a choice of routes - QF via LAX or DFW; AC via direct to YVR; QF to YVR seasonal service, ANZ to YVR via Auckland etc and I happily choose AC half the time; its a good service both in terms of hard and soft product. Domestically, only Air Canada's LCC Rouge offshoot can be reasonably compared to Jetstar. Air Canada, being a 'legacy' carrier has much the same pros and cons as QF.

Apologies for wandering OT.

Oh okay - I was basing it on their domestic service - YVR to EWR and lucky to get a poke in the eye, which we flew last month.
But SYD-YVR returns are always around $2500 in Y when I check them. They only seem to come down when QF flies the route for a bit.

HNL would be good for a break of journey I guess.

 

[DontGetMeStarted]

You're thinking of Pearl Ridge, over near Pearl Harbor.

The Windward Mall and Kahala Mall are also probably better (along with Pearl Ridge) - smaller than Ala Moana and designed for locals, rather than tourists.

Agree, we always hire a car and get around to all the shopping centres outside of Waikiki, bargains can still be found, going again in November and I pay around $120/$130 US a night for a one bed condo one block back from beach. WE self cater most of the time and don't find it that expensive, though eating out can be horrendous $$ wise and food wise. Have been going most years since 1995 and it has changed a lot but still the place that suits me the best, feel safe for the most part and the weather is magnificent most times of year. We tend to stay towards the Diamond Head end as further up Waikiki its too busy and touristy.

 

[RAM]

Agree, we always hire a car and get around to all the shopping centres outside of Waikiki, bargains can still be found, going again in November and I pay around $120/$130 US a night for a one bed condo one block back from beach. WE self cater most of the time and don't find it that expensive, though eating out can be horrendous $$ wise and food wise. Have been going most years since 1995 and it has changed a lot but still the place that suits me the best, feel safe for the most part and the weather is magnificent most times of year. We tend to stay towards the Diamond Head end as further up Waikiki its too busy and touristy.

2 Questions:

Do you visit Sydney much?
Any room for some ABC Aloe Vera gel.......

 

[Pushka]

Just finalising our May 2016 flights now. Ended up booking Jetstar Business class - not too bad at $2700 for two with the Max Business bundle. Two nights Hawaii on the way out and five on the way back. Loved AlaMoana but am keen to see more sights.

 

[DontGetMeStarted]

2 Questions:

Do you visit Sydney much?
Any room for some ABC Aloe Vera gel.......

Happy to pick up for you and post up to Sydney...I don't go till November though

 

[Dr Ralph]

The best shopping on Oahu is NOT Ala Moana - that is a tourist trap of grand proportions.

I don't think that this is necessarily the case. Having been in Hawaii and several mainland states this year, I can tell you that prices in some Ala Moana stores (Eg. Macys) are the same in Hawaii as on the mainland (apart from different sales tax rates between the states). Although the range offered in Hawaii is a lot poorer.

 

[Warks]

At what time of year are the cheapest flights to HNL? I was just checking some dates and they didn't seem particularly cheap. Could get YVR-HNL returns for around $400 (Canadian) in October though.

 

[DontGetMeStarted]

At what time of year are the cheapest flights to HNL? I was just checking some dates and they didn't seem particularly cheap. Could get YVR-HNL returns for around $400 (Canadian) in October though.

Try the Jetstar site now as having a very quiet sale from Melbourne to Honolulu early Feb to mid March 2016 for under $1K for two people return -

 

[Warks]

Try the Jetstar site now as having a very quiet sale from Melbourne to Honolulu early Feb to mid March 2016 for under $1K for two people return -

Thanks for that - MEL-HNL is listed as $399 for Feb-Mar. However when you click on the fare it goes to this weird page with "things you need to know" and price to SE Asian destinations quoted in Indonesian rupiah!
Sales and special promotions | Jetstar

Edit - seems to have been fixed. Returns in Feb for $669 was the best I found.
Will look a bit further for that other deal.

 

[DontGetMeStarted]

Thanks for that - MEL-HNL is listed as $399 for Feb-Mar. However when you click on the fare it goes to this weird page with "things you need to know" and price to SE Asian destinations quoted in Indonesian rupiah!
Sales and special promotions | Jetstar

Edit - seems to have been fixed. Returns in Feb for $669 was the best I found.
Will look a bit further for that other deal.

yes I got that originally too ( The Asia page) but then went back to the hone page and was pick up about $499.00 return for early feb..some out going fares were as low as $244.00 If I was not already going again in Novemb er I would book it..love the place.

Just checked again and all the $244 fares seem gone now - was a good sale if you could get them at that price

 

[Mattg]

Jetstar seems to be having pretty good sales (around the $500 return mark) regularly on this route for off-peak travel times. I would suggest hanging out for one of these. They often come up in the Friday afternoon specials (which are literally only available for 4 hours).

...unless you want to travel during school holidays, in which case you are less likely to find a cheap ticket to Hawaii.

 

[RAM]

Happy to pick up for you and post up to Sydney...I don't go till November though

Thank you for the offer. That would be great.

 

[RAM]

I don't think that this is necessarily the case. Having been in Hawaii and several mainland states this year, I can tell you that prices in some Ala Moana stores (Eg. Macys) are the same in Hawaii as on the mainland (apart from different sales tax rates between the states). Although the range offered in Hawaii is a lot poorer.

Some chain-stores have a 'national pricing policy' while others don't. For example in Australia ALDI guarantees you will pay the same price for every item in-store (not mark-downs) where ever you are in Australia. Coles on the other hand does not. Go to Coles web site and look for a catalogue, they then ask you for your postcode as the catalogues vary depending on where you live. Partly due to different products but mainly due to pricing.

The same (national pricing policy) is true with some shops in Ala Moana. Macys is an interesting one in that they have a same-price policy but it has a split - one price for physical locations and a potentially different one for on-line. Most do not have that policy.

Taking the whole of Ala Moana - I went with the locals' suggestion.

Definitely worth a visit to Ala Moana but then try Pearl Ridge or some other location if you like shopping.