Multi Airline Return Trip?

[blackcat20]

I read somewhere (not on here) that it was possible to book a return international trip using one airline outbound and another inbound, but only through a travel agent. However Flight Centre have just told me that's not possible unless I book them separately and pay a fortune.

Can anyone solve this mystery for me? I'm keen to try VA to LAX, but would rather QF home from NYC to save stopping in BNE or SYD, plus the extra luggage allowance... or is transiting in BNE not that bad?

 

[MelUser]

Many years ago this was possible - eg Australia to LAX on Phillipine Airlines and returning on Air New Zealand.

This is stopped once ACCCs around the world told airlines to stop talking to each other about pricing (other than alliances eg a oneworld product).

So your travel agent is correct - your fare will be constructed as 2 one ways which will be dearer than a super cheap return!

 

[moa999]

You can.
Its just most 'legacy' carriers still price return international flights as much cheaper than two separate single flights.
Although this has mostly been done away with on domestic flights

 

[ozmille]

A one way VA MEL to LAX is about AUD1403 and a one way NYC to MEL on QF is AUD1410 whilst all on QF would be around AUD1700... AUD900 extra to test out VA seems a bit steep

 

[NM]

It all depends on the fare rules for the actual fare being purchased. Some fares are only available when using a specific airline or combination of airlines, while some fares permit using different airlines.

 

[blackcat20]

all on QF would be around AUD1700...

For the dates I need to travel, QF is $2770 for the full trip, which is why I was looking to split it over the two airlines.
I'm more than happy to try VA, but Im not so sure about the codeshare Delta flight NYC to LA....and having to connect in either BNE or SYD.

 

[simongr]

I booked J class flights on QF/9W SYD-SIN-DEL returning on CX via HKG DEL-HKG-SYD and it was only marginally more than the straight return on CX or QF/9W (and saved a night's accommodation in DEL.

 

[JohnK]

....and having to connect in either BNE or SYD.

If you do not have to pay anything extra then a connection in either BNE or SYD should not be a problem.

I hardly ever fly overseas on direct flights preferring to connect. On my latest trip a few weeks ago I went SYD-MEL-SIN and returned SIN-PER-SYD on the red-eye from SIN.

 

[blackcat20]

It's more a case of never having been through international at either airports, and not really wanting the hassle of connecting. Maybe I'm just being lazy but I'd rather come home direct Last time I came home via NZ and I found it frustrating to be so close to home, but stuck at another airport...

 

[Boof1]

Are you pushed for time that you cant use the VA service to MEL on another day and book the return with them?

Also I think it was you asking about the VA Prem Economy vs QF economy in the forum?

Well if you do book VA PE to LAX and return via SYD remember that you get lounge access in SYD on your return, also the bags are tagged from the Int'l side of SYD so you dont have to worry about them after Customs as you simply re-check in and get the bus to Dom terminal. Head through security to the lounge and grab a shower and some brekky then fly to MEL in PE on DJ.

It's not that difficult or painful to be honest and in my opinion if you cant delay by a day to get the direct to MEL, then invest the cash you are going to spend buying one way tickets on flying return PE via SYD on VA.

Cheers,

Boof

 

[browski]

Depending on your flight dates and if you do not actually need to go to LAX, you might try this alternative route.

One-stop flights from MEL-ICN-JFC return can regularly be purchased for under AU$2500 on Korean Airlines.

Advantages:

1. No SYD/PER/BNE transit. One Stop to New York.
2. No LAX immigration.
3. 26 hours to/from JFK. Great connection times at ICN.
4. Credit FF points to Skyteam
5. (Perhaps) Cheaper than QF

 

[blackcat20]

I'm doing an organised tour from Los Angeles to New York, so I really do need to fly MEL-LAX, NYC-MEL. Ive still got 7 months so Ill just keep watching prices and hopefully snag a QF sale

 

[Boof1]

blackcat20, firstly a quick apology I miss identified you as the thread starter in the VA PE vs QF Y thread. Sorry about that.

Secondly I'm sure you realise but flying QF ex NYC means you will have to change aircraft and terminals at LAX. Whilst QF provide a shuttle that is post security it's still an aircraft change and terminal change.

If saving cash is a priority and lets face it who doesn't want to save a few bucks, then I'd be looking at booking a return direct flight ex MEL to LAX with your chosen carrier, and booking a single one way flight ex NYC to LAX. You can get fares on Virgin America or Jetblue for around $250USD one way.

You mention you have 7 months. So I'm guessing August? If that is the case cheapest return fares MEL-LAX direct in Y on QF are $2571, where as VA Y is $1600 or Y+ for $2550. Faced with that choice I'd go VA Y+ and Jetblue NYC-LAX (for first bag free).

Hope that helps a little.

Cheers,

Boof

 

[blackcat20]

blackcat20, firstly a quick apology I miss identified you as the thread starter in the VA PE vs QF Y thread. Sorry about that.

Secondly I'm sure you realise but flying QF ex NYC means you will have to change aircraft and terminals at LAX. Whilst QF provide a shuttle that is post security it's still an aircraft change and terminal change.

If saving cash is a priority and lets face it who doesn't want to save a few bucks, then I'd be looking at booking a return direct flight ex MEL to LAX with your chosen carrier, and booking a single one way flight ex NYC to LAX. You can get fares on Virgin America or Jetblue for around $250USD one way.

You mention you have 7 months. So I'm guessing August? If that is the case cheapest return fares MEL-LAX direct in Y on QF are $2571, where as VA Y is $1600 or Y+ for $2550. Faced with that choice I'd go VA Y+ and Jetblue NYC-LAX (for first bag free).

Hope that helps a little.

Cheers,

Boof

No worries. Id love to try PE but my budget wont stretch that far

I can handle the connection, I did it in NZ so its not really a big deal, I just want to make it all as seamless as possible. Im a tough cookie; ive only been overseas twice but I always travel alone, so I know I can handle it.

I do agree though, for that fare difference Im better off with VA.

Thank you for the recommendation of Jet Blue; I wasnt so keen on sampling Delta JFK-LAX I looked at V America, but it comes up with no flights available for the date I want (16/9)? Otherwise Id love to give them a try.

 

[billy8]

Hi, the QF flight NYC to SYD or MEL requires you to disembark at LAX and wait there for 90 minutes (or longer) and then re-board. You are in the Transit area and unable to leave the area. There is a QF lounge there where you can eat, read, shower etc if you are a member. You then re-board and have your same seat assignment from LAX to Oz.

The only airline flying non-stop NYC across the Pacific is SQ, but then you have to change in SIN for Oz as well, and it is a longer travel route, 18 hours non-stop to SIN from NYC, a stop-over at Changi, then an 8 hr flight to SYD/MELB.

If you want to have an enjoyable stop-over use Honolulu.

billy8

 

[blackcat20]

Hi, the QF flight NYC to SYD or MEL requires you to disembark at LAX and wait there for 90 minutes (or longer) and then re-board. You are in the Transit area and unable to leave the area.

Thats not too different to what I did in Auckland last time, except that there was a plane change as well.

Thanks for all the info and input so far I'm planning to just keep an eye on prices for the next month or two, then take up whichever is cheaper.

 

[MelbMan]

I think I'd be doing an open Jaw on V Australia. When I looked at this mid 2010 you had to ring VA and get one of their staff to do it. It's very cost effective. As others have said 2 one ways is miles more expensive than a return or open jaw return.

Good luck. Last trip to LAX we would have liked to have flown VA but we're QFF members so went on a good deal with them in May 2010. I'm accumulating QFF pts
rather than having them scattered.

 

[blackcat20]

I think I'd be doing an open Jaw on V Australia.

Im going to have to plead ignorance; what is an "open Jaw" (besides the obvious )

I did my last NYC return trip on QF and have almost 30,000 points sitting there as a result..partly why Id prefer to fly with them, but unfortunately every dollar counts, and flights are just a small part of what I'm hoping will be an amazing trip.

 

[MelbMan]

Hi BlackCat, open jaw is where you fly into one location, make your own way to a second location and then (normally) fly back to where you started.

Emirates have always been very good with this for example, we might have done Singapore-Larnaca Cyprus on Emirates, a few weeks holidays, then Cyprus Airways to Rome and finally Emirates from Nice France back to Singapore.

You can do this very easily with VA flying into LAX and returning from NYC or viceversa. There is no extra charge for phoning them to do open jaw, I found their staff very approachable.

Good luck!

 

[blackcat20]

Ah, thats what I know as a multi-city booking i spoke to VA a couple of months ago re booking one. Did that last time with QF, worked out quite cheap.