Help with Flights to Australia

[WesternCanadaKing]

I decided back in August that I'd like to take a trip to Perth Australia to visit some friends and the like next July, and when I searched for flights I was able to find several around the $1800 range roundtrip. Thinking this would be an doable amount for a 16 year old to make, I started saving up money. However, now that I'm double checking that my cheap flight is still there, I can only find flights around the $2700 range! How could it go up by that much in such a short amount of time? And I can't for the life of me where I saw it at $1800.

I'm hoping to tap into the CP wealth of knowledge here and see if anyone has any suggestions, or knows any good websites to get cheap flights.

[SteveToms]

I found this pretty quick
http://www.australia.com/centric/tra...le:search:coop

[WesternCanadaKing]

Originally Posted by SteveToms

I found this pretty quick
http://www.australia.com/centric/tra...le:search:coop

Thanks, that definitely helps! The July prices from Calgary are still a little pricey though, but I'll give them a call tomorrow to see what can be done. It says flights to Perth are around $2,199, but in another place it says $1,799.

[icarus]

Try PMing Sample00 and/or Scrambler as they are travel agents.

[shane_c]

I just saw a commercial on TV saying around 1200 return from Vancouver on Quantas and that it includes 3 flights while you're down there.

[Ducay]

Im trying to get in on this bandwagon. I'm off to Oz in Jan for a Uni exchange for 6 months. The flights are kinda scaring me. I can't find anything lower than 2000 for a Jan departure.

That Quantas link above is an amazing deal, the only catch is that you have to book it all in a 3 month period (like all flights within 3 months). Which doesn't work for me since Ill be there for 6. But other than that, its an amazing deal considering how expensive regular flights are. To me it basically seems like you are getting a cheap return flight PLUS 3 flights for free within Australia.
So if you are going to be there less than 3 mos. get in on that deal.

[I-Hate-Hulse]

Flights are dirt cheap within Australia thanks to Jetstar and Virgin Blue. Check out some of the US carriers to flying from LA, SF, and other American cities. Make sure you include Honolulu in that search.

[Claeren]

Sometimes a travel agent is a good idea. I always book USA/Canada travel online but my travel agent saves me hundreds when i fly to Asia. I find if you are heading anywhere over the Pacific Chinatown is the best place to go - they specialize in getting cheap Cathay, Singapore, Quantas, etc flights. Last time i booked they not only got me a cheap fare but split their commission with me under the table on top of that!! So good I felt guilty about it!! lol....




Claeren.

[Stillman16]

Try www.downunder-travel.com, the site looks to have some deals for airfare, and they do tours as well, if that floats your boat.

[icarus]

Originally Posted by Ducay

I'm off to Oz in Jan for a Uni exchange for 6 months.

Which uni?

[Ducay]

South Australia, in Adelaide (obviously)

[WesternCanadaKing]

Originally Posted by Ducay

South Australia, in Adelaide (obviously)

I was also thinking of doing this later on, but, I'll cross that bridge when I come to it haha

Thanks everyone for the help, definitely helped bring this trip back from the dead.

[icarus]

Originally Posted by Ducay

South Australia, in Adelaide (obviously)

Good ol' USA. I only recall meeting one person from that uni and she was damn hot so if she's any indication of the student body () you'll have a good time. Just hope you don't get bored to death in Adelaide! (Naw, I think Adelaide isn't that bad, although a lot of Aussies find it quite dull... I found it a bit like Calgary in terms of city feel actually).

[ZDogg]

Originally Posted by icarus

Try PMing Sample00 and/or Scrambler as they are travel agents.

Almost positive Scrambler retired from his travel agent position. He hooked me up with some decent Aussie flights. The company he worked for was www.pacesettertravel.com. I suspect you will find some better deals over the next couple months.

Originally Posted by WesternCanadaKing

I decided back in August that I'd like to take a trip to Perth Australia to visit some friends and the like next July
... /snip

Did you choose July based on your availability?? I would hit up Australia during our winter to get the maximum sun/heat there. Plus you get to miss out on part of the Calgary winter .

[Ducay]

Originally Posted by icarus

Just hope you don't get bored to death in Adelaide! (Naw, I think Adelaide isn't that bad, although a lot of Aussies find it quite dull... I found it a bit like Calgary in terms of city feel actually).

Good to know. It is roughly the same size as Calgary, so I figured it would be similar. Except for the weather and location that is

[Sylvanfan]

Yeah, talk to Sample. Sometimes he can find better deals than what are on his site too. He was able to help me book a coulple flights for relatives looking to fly to Hawaii for $75 less per flight than what was coming up on his site (which was like a 15% savings). Sometimes you need to wait things out as eventually some type of seat sale will come along.

[mykalberta]

There are a few different options.

Air New Zealand from YVR, SFO, LAX
Air Canada from YVR
UA from LAX and SFO
QA from SFO and LAX

Your best bet is to likely find a flight to sydney, then use one of the local carriers to get to Perth.

Example UA YYC-SFO-SYD = $1940 Jul20,2008 Aug10, 2008 (same price LAX orig)
QZ YYC -->-> SYD - $2009 same dates (1649 if leave from LAX)
NZ LAX-SYD = $1351 - use Westjet to get to LAX.

I personally would choose Air NewZealand as they will have the nicest accomodations, but a longer transfer (will be nice as the LAX-SYD flight is a long one).

After taxes, UA might be and easier on the transfer side but the aircraft and ammenities wont be as nice as Air NewZealand

Also remember July is the high travel season for US originating passengers hence the high airfare.

[Thor]

Originally Posted by Sylvanfan

Yeah, talk to Sample. Sometimes he can find better deals than what are on his site too. He was able to help me book a coulple flights for relatives looking to fly to Hawaii for $75 less per flight than what was coming up on his site (which was like a 15% savings). Sometimes you need to wait things out as eventually some type of seat sale will come along.

Seat sales are a little misleading. For Scheduled airlines (Air Canada, Qantas, American, etc.) they tend to get more expensive as they sell more seats, and become very expensive the closer to departure date. Its only charters that 'sell off' seats close to departure, and we all know thats mainly to all inclusive destinations.

Australia as a rule is a good deal around $2000 from YYC, I had sold tickets years ago from $2500 and as low as $1200 depending on luck, time of year, etc..

I would suggest you book at least 4-6 months in advance, and do a lot of searching around for the best deal you can. One tip I can always recommend is check 4-5 travel agents, tell them your particulars and see who finds not only the best price, but who gives you the best service/speed/attention. If one agent saves you $75 dollars and is slow/uninterested while another costs slightly more but is obviously sharp and on top of things, easily go with the solid agent over the cheaper one.

Another consideration is if you only focus on price, you might book a flight that takes you through 3-4 stops. Sometimes its worth paying a little more for a more direct flight with better connection times. Don't always focus on the price! Travel is stressfull enough

I can't tell you how for international flights how great it is to have a great travel agent you can rely on if you run into problems. Don't nickle/dime when you spend $1800-2000, Travel agents go by partial commissions and if they are really good, that little extra is well worth it for the work they do and might end up having to do if you run into any unforseen issues which is more common than you might believe.

Also, make sure you are fully and completely covered for trip cancellation, interruption and health insurance on your trip. Never ever leave your own province without it, it was the one thing I took from being a travel agent that I will never do again. Traveling without solid travel insurance is easily the biggest mistake most travelers make, ask any travel agent about horror stories they have seen/heard

Good luck, you'll love Oz

[Sample00]

Originally Posted by Thor

Seat sales are a little misleading. For Scheduled airlines (Air Canada, Qantas, American, etc.) they tend to get more expensive as they sell more seats, and become very expensive the closer to departure date. Its only charters that 'sell off' seats close to departure, and we all know thats mainly to all inclusive destinations.

Australia as a rule is a good deal around $2000 from YYC, I had sold tickets years ago from $2500 and as low as $1200 depending on luck, time of year, etc..

I would suggest you book at least 4-6 months in advance, and do a lot of searching around for the best deal you can. One tip I can always recommend is check 4-5 travel agents, tell them your particulars and see who finds not only the best price, but who gives you the best service/speed/attention. If one agent saves you $75 dollars and is slow/uninterested while another costs slightly more but is obviously sharp and on top of things, easily go with the solid agent over the cheaper one.

Another consideration is if you only focus on price, you might book a flight that takes you through 3-4 stops. Sometimes its worth paying a little more for a more direct flight with better connection times. Don't always focus on the price! Travel is stressfull enough

I can't tell you how for international flights how great it is to have a great travel agent you can rely on if you run into problems. Don't nickle/dime when you spend $1800-2000, Travel agents go by partial commissions and if they are really good, that little extra is well worth it for the work they do and might end up having to do if you run into any unforseen issues which is more common than you might believe.

Also, make sure you are fully and completely covered for trip cancellation, interruption and health insurance on your trip. Never ever leave your own province without it, it was the one thing I took from being a travel agent that I will never do again. Traveling without solid travel insurance is easily the biggest mistake most travelers make, ask any travel agent about horror stories they have seen/heard

Good luck, you'll love Oz

did I just get called slow and disinterested??

[Thor]

Originally Posted by Sample00

did I just get called slow and disinterested??

lol, thats why I left the industry, I hear no more net fares on internationals and with the internet cutting deep into the little commisions left it was enough for me

Was fun work though, albeit sometimes stressfull