SYD-NAN Status Run booking questions

[Wannabee]

Thanks Joshua for the effort you have gone to. For some reason this didn't work for me the other day when I tried however it is working fine tonight. In regards to adding the stopover, what is the maximum time limit (if any) for that?

 

[JohnK]

Re: Example booking

As for the error Markis got - I get the same thing, not sure why. But it shouldn't show the economy + business options for the first sector. I think the booking engine is undecided if it's a DOM or Int. booking.

It looks like markis10 has only provided details for a one-way itinerary.

From personal experience you cannot use the international multi-city tool for one-way bookings and/or simple return bookings like SYD-SIN-SYD. Need to provide all 3 flights on the international multi-city itinerary otherwise go back to the booking engine for one-way or return flight.

 

[markis10]

Re: Example booking

It looks like markis10 has only provided details for a one-way itinerary.

From personal experience you cannot use the international multi-city tool for one-way bookings and/or simple return bookings like SYD-SIN-SYD. Need to provide all 3 flights on the international multi-city itinerary otherwise go back to the booking engine for one-way or return flight.

The issue is with one ways, while I was able to book a one way to NAN back in May and June with no issues using the multicity tool, it seems this is now an issue! The beauty of the one way with multicity was the long stopovers in Syd (I have a lot of NAN trips in the new status year that start at SYD).

 

[JohnK]

In regards to adding the stopover, what is the maximum time limit (if any) for that?

That may vary depending on the ticketing rules in place at the time.

I have tried 3-4 months and have been OK but that has been for economy routings originating in SIN.

 

[JohnK]

Re: Example booking

The issue is with one ways, while I was able to book a one way to NAN back in May and June with no issues using the multicity tool, it seems this is now an issue!

Not just one-ways.

I had issues last month when I was trying to book SIN-BNE//SYD-SIN so in effect only using the 2 flights in the multi-city tool. As soon as I put in SIN-BNE//SYD-PER-SIN in the 3 flights in the multi-city tool the itinerary would validate.

Could be a recent change to the software.

 

[PineappleSkip]

Its impossible to book multi city out of POM (or NAN for that matter) the option isn't available on the web site. This might have something to do with the problem with multi city bookings involving destinations like NAN.

If booking J I would just ring up and do it over the phone.

The other alternative is string multiple itineraries together. I spend half my life doing tis, its the only way I know to get red edeals out of POM involving multiple destinations in AU or elsewhere.

Incidentally I spent time mulling over pacific status runs a while back. There were some good fares on FJ, but I think JQ star class CNS-KIX or CNS-NRT was comparable in terms of SCs per dollar.

There are also some good deals on domestic FJ fares, my favourite was NAN-PTF (Malolo Lailai). FJD65, 10 mins and 10 SCs. I'd like to see a better SC per hour rate than that!!

Cheers skip

 

[Joshua]

I don't believe there's any limit to the stop over really, I seem to be able to validate flying from BNE tomorrow and scheduling the SYD-NAN sector into July next year. Works the other way too, so you can just fly back to SYD then keep those domestics for later on essentially. Fare rules re: stop overs are below:

UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED
1 STOPOVER PERMITTED.
NOTE - CHILD/INFANT DISCOUNTS DO NOT APPLY - PAY FULL ADULT FEE.
---
STOPOVERS PERMITTED ONLY AT TRANSFER POINTS SHOWN ON THE ROUTE MAP.

In my case I had to be in BNE that night so have selected specific flights to make sure I get wide body aircraft where available and also breakfast, lunch and dinner services on the three flights respectively.

If booking J I would just ring up and do it over the phone.


...


There are also some good deals on domestic FJ fares, my favourite was NAN-PTF (Malolo Lailai). FJD65, 10 mins and 10 SCs. I'd like to see a better SC per hour rate than that!!

Cheers skip

+1 phone (again) - once you know your exact flights & dates just ring them up and they'll punch it in quicker than you can do it on the computer.

How would one book NAN-PTF? It's not on the Pacific Sun website. On EF it shows 2 dailys but each has 0 availability in all buckets... have they ceased flying the route?


Finally, those multi-city tools are a real magic trick - they can do some cool things - stuff the call centre has even refused to do for me or said "not possible!". But they're a royal PITA too often. Thanks everyone here who's given hints on it all because they do help & save a lot.

 

[JohnK]

I don't believe there's any limit to the stop over really, I seem to be able to validate flying from BNE tomorrow and scheduling the SYD-NAN sector into July next year. Works the other way too, so you can just fly back to SYD then keep those domestics for later on essentially. Fare rules re: stop overs are below:

Sure NAN flights may not have a stopover limit based on the fare conditions you posted but all I was trying to do was highlight that not all itineraries/destinations have the same stopover conditions.

Some of the airfares I have booked out of SIN only have 3 month validity, some have 6 month validity and some have 12 month validity. You just do not know which you are dealing with until you get to the pricing page.

 

[Aussie_flyer]

ex-NAN on that run is cheaper than if you book it ex-BNE. I believe it works out cheaper to buy one way ex-BNE and then the return as a one way ex-NAN, have to double check the figures though.

 

[Joshua]

Sorry JohnK, I was mostly responding to the OP but I worded it badly. You're definitely right in that there can often be time limits depending on the fare. In the case of this one, D2F, it seems as vanilla as a fare could possibly be so not a great example for limitations and technicalities in airline ticketing.

ex-NAN on that run is cheaper than if you book it ex-BNE. I believe it works out cheaper to buy one way ex-BNE and then the return as a one way ex-NAN, have to double check the figures though.

Same as booking anything back to Australia sadly.

Return price is $1332
Price one way ex-BNE is $660
(So the return leg back to BNE is priced as $674 in the return ticket)
Price one way ex-NAN is FJ$929 ~ AU$520 (ie. $150 cheaper :!

I booked ex-NAN over the phone, they billed me in AUD unfortunately. With their unfavourably exchange rate, came out as AU$565. Still over $100 cheaper. Maybe should ask the call centre to bill in FJD next time.

 

[PineappleSkip]

How would one book NAN-PTF? It's not on the Pacific Sun website. On EF it shows 2 dailys but each has 0 availability in all buckets... have they ceased flying the route?

Sorry, their route map
Fiji Flights, Fiji Domestic Airline, South Pacific Holidays
indicates they have ceased scheduled services to Malololailai and Mana, the other destination in the Malolo group. It appears to be only a charter route now, and I doubt you'd get points and SCs on such a flight. Presumably you'd need to book it through one of the resorts, Plantation Island or Musket Cove. You do get a trip on an ancient BNI, which you may or may not fancy.

Not sure when this change occurred.

Their fares to other destinations appear not to be as cheap as previously, although I was able to find various NAD-SUV flights for AUD90 each way. You could do SYD-BNE for less on sale and get the same SCs though.

Cheers skip

 

[Wannabee]

Damn, looks like I missed the boat. The prices have gone up to well over $1000 each way versus the normal $650. is it likely that more cheap J fares will be released as the date gets closer? Looking to travel over on 01 Nov and return 07 Nov.

 

[markis10]

Damn, looks like I missed the boat. The prices have gone up to well over $1000 each way versus the normal $650. is it likely that more cheap J fares will be released as the date gets closer? Looking to travel over on 01 Nov and return 07 Nov.

It books into D class so availability is limited, try coming back a day later, there is plenty of availability, the issue is you have chosen a Sunday which is popular.

 

[Wannabee]

Thanks for that, we have shifted our dates a day to the right and all is well.

 

[Joshua]

Sorry, their route map
Fiji Flights, Fiji Domestic Airline, South Pacific Holidays
indicates they have ceased scheduled services to Malololailai and Mana, the other destination in the Malolo group. It appears to be only a charter route now, and I doubt you'd get points and SCs on such a flight. Presumably you'd need to book it through one of the resorts, Plantation Island or Musket Cove. You do get a trip on an ancient BNI, which you may or may not fancy.

Unfortunate really, would be an interesting way to get around, I had to look up BNI after expertflyer listed it. Doesn't seem to be many cheap runs with Pacific Sun right now and from memory the QF earnings are only valid on routes between the 3 main airports.

Damn, looks like I missed the boat.

As markis10 said, D availability. However on that, you would expect time is limited before this fare increases as DJ withdraw their VA product.

 

[gumpy]

I am aiming to hit 2400 sc's for the 50k bonus so that I can get to my target of 560k for 2 j rtw's...

I just wanted to double check that the BNE MEL SYD NAN one way gets you 180 sc's and there's no special rule that cuts out some of the sc earn.