MEL/BNE-MNL-LAX/SFO/SEA - one way 3000 AUD in J

[drcam]

Even though MNL and LAX are amongst my least favorite airports, I can find fairly wide availability in late April/early May from Melbourne and Brisbane to the west coast of the USA and YVR for close to 3000 AUD one way in J on PR. 5000ish return, but I need to get to Japan by the end of May

(1) Is this a good deal, and (2) are there any alternatives that can be beaten?

I believe manipulation through Fiji doesn't work anymore in this environment.

Still trying to work out my itinerary for late April and early May - I believe there are some nice 7 day routes on Holland America in Alaska and New England for less than $250 a night all in.

The alternative is to go to Asia and perhaps visit Mongolia. I've been in Canton the last week and the humidity is unbearable, and it's only April! Have to come back to Oz for 2 weeks for some business this weekend

 

[MELso]

Even though MNL and LAX are amongst my least favorite airports, I can find fairly wide availability in late April/early May from Melbourne and Brisbane to the west coast of the USA and YVR for close to 3000 AUD one way in J on PR. 5000ish return, but I need to get to Japan by the end of May

(1) Is this a good deal, and (2) are there any alternatives that can be beaten?

I believe manipulation through Fiji doesn't work anymore in this environment.

Still trying to work out my itinerary for late April and early May - I believe there are some nice 7 day routes on Holland America in Alaska and New England for less than $250 a night all in.

The alternative is to go to Asia and perhaps visit Mongolia. I've been in Canton the last week and the humidity is unbearable, and it's only April! Have to come back to Oz for 2 weeks for some business this weekend

Do you have the flights to Japan booked?

I'm book-ending a 14-night Holland America Alaska cruise in August with a few nights in Japan at either end. Flying MEL-SIN-KIX-HND-ORD-PDX-YVR-ORD-NRT/HND-SYD-MEL on a combination of SQ J, NH Y, J and F, AA J, AS Y and QF Y.

My friend who's joining me was more sensible when booking flights and has booked PR J as it was cheap (even if it has a long layover coming back). Was about $4.5k SYD-MNL-YVR in J, but it was booked many months ago before the recent Middle East craziness. However, NH was offering ~$6k J fares from SYD-HND-YVR at the time so check them out too.