Qantas Multi-City Flight Itenerary - What's the best way to purchase?

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Sproketz

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I am planning our first trip to Australia (wooo-hooo!) and am starting to look into flights. We are planning to visit Sydney, Pt Douglas, Uluru, & Melbourne, so I'm wondering if a Walkabout/Airpass/Milti-City Itinerary is a good way to go about purchasing our flights, but the Qantas website isn't playing nicely when I try entering in the segments I want.

Would it be better to just book our international flights separately? Should I be on the lookout for Premium Economy sales? Should I contact a travel agency? Book thru the phone at Qantas? Should I try another booking site, like Kayak or Expedia? Advantages/disadvantages of any of these?

Here are the flight segments I am looking for (2 passengers, Premium Economy for the USA-Australia segments; economy for the others):

18-Sep, Fri MRY > LAX AA 2590 6:45p 7:55p
18-Sep, Fri LAX > SYD QF 12 10:05p 6:10a *Premium Econ
23-Sep, Wed SYD > CNS JS 938 10:40a 1:50p
27-Sep, Sun CNS > AYQ QF 1949/1941 11:20a 2:50p
29-Sep, Tue AYQ > MEL JS 665 1:00p 4:04p
2-Oct, Fri MEL > LAX QF 93 9:50a 7:10a *Premium Econ
2-Oct, Fri LAX > SFO AA 2455 10:30a 11:50a

(I realize Jetstar flights are not yet available for these dates, so I wasn't trying to include these in the multi-city search.)

What's the best game plan for booking these flights? Thanks for any tips.
 
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You need to use an agent or Qantas via phone to book, the airlines multi city tool is very restricted. The walkabout pass is good value for the longer flights, but very limited value with Jetstar.

Jetstar price beat and often Tiger have a flight within the hour of JQ that's cheaper, and I would look at using that where you can. Use webjet.com.au to get an idea of the available airlines and their flights and then use the web agent : http://www.jetstar.com/au/en/what-we-offer/our-guarantees/price-beat-guarantee
 
Thanks for the quick reply, Markis.

So, would you recommend looking into a walkabout pass for the AA & Qantas flights, then book the Jetstar flights independently? How does a 'walkabout pass' differ from a 'multi-city' booking?

Walkabout:
18-Sep, Fri MRY > LAX AA 2590 6:45p 7:55p
18-Sep, Fri LAX > SYD QF 12 10:05p 6:10a *Premium Econ
27-Sep, Sun CNS > AYQ QF 1949/1941 11:20a 2:50p
2-Oct, Fri MEL > LAX QF 93 9:50a 7:10a *Premium Econ
2-Oct, Fri LAX > SFO AA 2455 10:30a 11:50a

Jetstar:
23-Sep, Wed SYD > CNS JQ 938 10:40a 1:50p
29-Sep, Tue AYQ > MEL JQ 665 1:00p 4:04p

I wasn't able to find any flights on Tiger for the date/times I would like for the AYQ>CNS & AYQ>MEL segments. Also, do you know when Jetstar will open up the schedule for Sep 2015? (Do they open up a whole month at a time?)

Thanks, again.
 
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I am planning our first trip to Australia (wooo-hooo!) and am starting to look into flights. We are planning to visit Sydney, Pt Douglas, Uluru, & Melbourne, so I'm wondering if a Walkabout/Airpass/Milti-City Itinerary is a good way to go about purchasing our flights, but the Qantas website isn't playing nicely when I try entering in the segments I want.

Would it be better to just book our international flights separately? Should I be on the lookout for Premium Economy sales? Should I contact a travel agency? Book thru the phone at Qantas? Should I try another booking site, like Kayak or Expedia? Advantages/disadvantages of any of these?

Here are the flight segments I am looking for (2 passengers, Premium Economy for the USA-Australia segments; economy for the others):

18-Sep, Fri MRY > LAX AA 2590 6:45p 7:55p
18-Sep, Fri LAX > SYD QF 12 10:05p 6:10a *Premium Econ
23-Sep, Wed SYD > CNS JS 938 10:40a 1:50p
27-Sep, Sun CNS > AYQ QF 1949/1941 11:20a 2:50p
29-Sep, Tue AYQ > MEL JS 665 1:00p 4:04p
2-Oct, Fri MEL > LAX QF 93 9:50a 7:10a *Premium Econ
2-Oct, Fri LAX > SFO AA 2455 10:30a 11:50a

(I realize Jetstar flights are not yet available for these dates, so I wasn't trying to include these in the multi-city search.)

What's the best game plan for booking these flights? Thanks for any tips.


Welcome to AFF Sproketz, I hope you decide to do a TR when the time comes.
 
Thanks for the quick reply, Markis.

So, would you recommend looking into a walkabout pass for the AA & Qantas flights, then book the Jetstar flights independently? How does a 'walkabout pass' differ from a 'multi-city' booking?

Walkabout:
18-Sep, Fri MRY > LAX AA 2590 6:45p 7:55p
18-Sep, Fri LAX > SYD QF 12 10:05p 6:10a *Premium Econ
27-Sep, Sun CNS > AYQ QF 1949/1941 11:20a 2:50p
2-Oct, Fri MEL > LAX QF 93 9:50a 7:10a *Premium Econ
2-Oct, Fri LAX > SFO AA 2455 10:30a 11:50a

Jetstar:
23-Sep, Wed SYD > CNS JQ 938 10:40a 1:50p
29-Sep, Tue AYQ > MEL JQ 665 1:00p 4:04p

I wasn't able to find any flights on Tiger for the date/times I would like for the AYQ>CNS & AYQ>MEL segments. Also, do you know when Jetstar will open up the schedule for Sep 2015? (Do they open up a whole month at a time?)

Thanks, again.

Welcome to AFF Sproketz

Sept 2015 is open for booking according to the Jetstar booking page. I believe they advance the booking window a day at a time (its currently open to 20 October 2015).

Not sure why you would contemplate booking Jetstar flights separately - they are bookable under Walkabout Airpass.

The Walkabout can be booked via the multicity on-line (with difficulty, it appears), but I think the difference is that the Walkabout includes international flights into Australia and the domestic legs are supposed to be priced more attractively.

Tiger has a poor reputation in Australia for general reliability, although its improving and has a new owner (Virgin) since its worst days. But do remember that its still a LCC, so you are under typical LCC Terms & Conditions, which might be difficult if you are on an international itinerary and they cancel a flight.

I agree with markis10 to book via Qantas in the USA direct, or via a travel agent. If you use a TA, get them to price it all as a normal booking, with cheapest flights on the days you want to fly as well as an Airpass. In several instances my own TA has found individually booked segments turns out cheaper than the equivalent OneWorld Airpass (not a Walkabout though).
 
Welcome to AFF Sproketz

Sept 2015 is open for booking according to the Jetstar booking page. I believe they advance the booking window a day at a time (its currently open to 20 October 2015).

Not sure why you would contemplate booking Jetstar flights separately - they are bookable under Walkbout Pass

The Walkabout can be booked via the multicity on-line (with difficulty, it appears), but I think the difference is that the Walkabout includes international flights into Australia and the domestic legs are supposed to be priced more attractively.

Thanks for the feedback.

For some reason, Jetstar shows the flights I'm looking for as 'not available' -- the calendar of available dates ends on 31 Aug 2015. (I'll try attaching a screenshot).

I'm unclear of the differences between the Walkabout, Airpass and Multi-city booking--which one should I ask for? :oops:
 
Thanks for the feedback.

For some reason, Jetstar shows the flights I'm looking for as 'not available' -- the calendar of available dates ends on 31 Aug 2015. (I'll try attaching a screenshot).

I'm unclear of the differences between the Walkabout, Airpass and Multi-city booking--which one should I ask for? :oops:

If you ring or try to do it online the system will price the flights as the Walkabout, which is an airpass as such. Having a closer look at your plans I would try and get Qantas where you can, as it will earn points and is full service, while Jetstar you will need to pay for bags, food etc and no points, that might need a few extra connections but I suspect not much difference in dollars for a much better product. Baggage is $1 a kilo roughly as a guide with Jetstar.
 
Thanks for the feedback.

For some reason, Jetstar shows the flights I'm looking for as 'not available' -- the calendar of available dates ends on 31 Aug 2015. (I'll try attaching a screenshot).

I'm unclear of the differences between the Walkabout, Airpass and Multi-city booking--which one should I ask for? :oops:

I think 'Walkabout' and 'Airpass' is the same thing. Its called "Walkabout Airpass" on the Qantas web page I quoted above. Not sure why Jetstar wouldn't be available - its clearly bookable on the Jetstar web site; AND Jetstar is clearly included in the Walkabout Airpass airline options.

If you call Qantas, ask to book a Walkabout Airpass. It'll cost you more to book by phone, but I think for the questions you have, and considering the overall cost, it would be worth it. This from the Qantas USA site Qantas Air Pass | See more of Australia for less ; the change fees are pretty standard, its the bit at the end I'm referring to (incl phone number to call):

Important Information:
The Qantas Walkabout Air Pass must be purchased simultaneously with a trans-Pacific Qantas or American Airlines fare from the US to Australia round trip or one way from the US to Australia. Travel is in Economy on Qantas or on Qantas codeshare flights operated by Qantas Link, Jetstar, Alliance Airlines or Air North. No charge for date change; routing change is US$40 per transaction per person. An additional service fee of US$40/AU$80/NZ$80 per person applies for each change made via telephone, retail outlet, or an airport ticket counter, depending on the country where the change is made. The cancellation charge is based on the Qantas international ticket conditions, except that tickets purchased one week or more before departure may be cancelled without charge within 24 hours of ticketing. Child discounts do not apply. Discounts for infants (under 2 years) not occupying a seat are permitted at 10% of the applicable adult fare. No minimum stay; maximum stay 330–350 days from the date of reservation. Seats are limited and may not be available on every flight or day. Other restrictions apply.
Airfare is an additional $30 for reservations made by telephone. Hearing impaired persons may dial 711 (National Relay Service) to contact Qantas at 1 800 227 4341.

I see on the Airpass page on the USA site there is 'conversation' you can join (probably twitter? ). Seems a handy way to get feedback if unsure before you call. I see another phone number there as well.

ps Are you set on QF flight numbers for the trans Pacific legs? I THINK you will pay more 'fuel fines' if you go under a QF flight number Vs an AA flight number. Ask about tis too; Qantas has relatively high 'surcharges' compared to AA I think.
 
Wow...you guys are awesome! Thanks for all the great info!

I called Qantas yesterday, and the very nice agent I spoke with tried to piece my specific flights together for me. She wasn't able to find the AA flights to/from LAX, nor the Jetstar flights I wanted. (I guess I'll check back in a couple of weeks.) She also encouraged me to try to get QF flights instead of Jetstar (because it's a better service), but mentioned that if I did book Jetstar flights in the Airpass, there would be additional benefits included that Jetstar normally charges extra for, like baggage allowance (I think she said 2 bags were free if booked in the Airpass). Still no food, entertainment, or points earning on Jetstar flights, tho'. Not a deal-breaker for short-ish flights, but something I will keep in mind. (I often fly our 'no frills' Southwest Airlines here in the states, and have gotten accustomed to skimpy amenities!)

I'll look into the QF vs. AA flight numbers as it applies to fuel fees.

Anyway, the quote for the flights the QF agent was able to piece together was $4,700 per person (Prem Econ for the long hauls). Ouch! :eek: I've signed up for Qantas emails, and 'liked' them on facebook, so hopefully I'll hear about any special fares that might pop-up. Any other tips for watching prices?

Thanks again.
 
Just a quick note regarding using AA vs. QF flight numbers...I just did a sample query for the same flights (LAX-SYD; MEL-LAX) on both airlines and they both had what appears to be a fuel charge:
QF YQ surcharge (YQ) $680.00
AA YR surcharge (YR) $680.00
 
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