I'm currently planning my trip to the 2014 world cup in Brazil and associated South American adventures for a group upwards of 6 to 8 people. The options for flying oneworld to South America are obviously limited with only 3 QF flights per week so I imagine prices will be astronomical. I have therefore started looking at the best multi-fare opportunities.
I have come up with 3 alternatives but I have no idea the best way to price them. Do I have to ring QF (or AA) to get pricing for each including taxes and charges? I guess it's their own fault if I then waste an hour of their time! I will be SG for the trip so Oneworld very much preferred.
Option 1:
QF27 to Santiago return QF28
OW Visit South America (8 flights)
TAM pass (5-6 flights).
Routing
SYD-SCL-UIO-Lima-Cuzco-Lima-EZE-Mendoza-EZE (Tam Pass into and around Brazil, return to Buenos Aires)-SCL-SYD
Negatives - 8 hour stopover in Santiago prior to connecting to Quito, backtracking from Quito/Cuzco to Buenos Aires.
Paying for individual flights.
Option 2:
Same as option 1 but using LAN South American Airpass instead of OW Visit Sth America
Option 3:
Circle Pacific Fare
Routing
SYD-LAX-LAS (stopover)-MIA-UIO (stopover)-Lima-Cuzco (stopover)-Lima-EZE (stopover-TAM airpass into Brazil and back to EZE)-SCL-SYD
Positives - Shopping and taking friends to Vegas, Minimal waiting time at MIA/LAX.
Negatives - 3 stopovers in Sth America, only 2 allowed?
I'm looking to fly 31 May to 29 June so flights are not yet released. I am thinking of ringing up and timeshifting forward two months to get an idea of price.
Adding complications to the matter is the LAN takeover of TAM and what opportunities may arise to further consolidate the booking into one ticket. The LAN website Airpass booking tool is down for this reason it seems.
What is the suggested method for getting quotes in advance as we'd like to know before flights are released at the start of July what we plan to do? Should I run a dummy booking at earlier dates? Ring a travel agent or Qantas direct? Will AA be more helpful for a specific fare?
Thanks in advance.
I have come up with 3 alternatives but I have no idea the best way to price them. Do I have to ring QF (or AA) to get pricing for each including taxes and charges? I guess it's their own fault if I then waste an hour of their time! I will be SG for the trip so Oneworld very much preferred.
Option 1:
QF27 to Santiago return QF28
OW Visit South America (8 flights)
TAM pass (5-6 flights).
Routing
SYD-SCL-UIO-Lima-Cuzco-Lima-EZE-Mendoza-EZE (Tam Pass into and around Brazil, return to Buenos Aires)-SCL-SYD
Negatives - 8 hour stopover in Santiago prior to connecting to Quito, backtracking from Quito/Cuzco to Buenos Aires.
Paying for individual flights.
Option 2:
Same as option 1 but using LAN South American Airpass instead of OW Visit Sth America
Option 3:
Circle Pacific Fare
Routing
SYD-LAX-LAS (stopover)-MIA-UIO (stopover)-Lima-Cuzco (stopover)-Lima-EZE (stopover-TAM airpass into Brazil and back to EZE)-SCL-SYD
Positives - Shopping and taking friends to Vegas, Minimal waiting time at MIA/LAX.
Negatives - 3 stopovers in Sth America, only 2 allowed?
I'm looking to fly 31 May to 29 June so flights are not yet released. I am thinking of ringing up and timeshifting forward two months to get an idea of price.
Adding complications to the matter is the LAN takeover of TAM and what opportunities may arise to further consolidate the booking into one ticket. The LAN website Airpass booking tool is down for this reason it seems.
What is the suggested method for getting quotes in advance as we'd like to know before flights are released at the start of July what we plan to do? Should I run a dummy booking at earlier dates? Ring a travel agent or Qantas direct? Will AA be more helpful for a specific fare?
Thanks in advance.
