Australia, New Zealand & the South Pacific - First timers to Aus. & NZ - need airline suggestions




dixieagle
Dec 31, 06, 11:12 pm
Hello,

We hope to spend time in New Zealand and Australia from mid-to late June (2007) and are in need of some input. We have limited time, due to my husband's work, and this may be our only visit to this part of the world. We hope to spend the bulk of the time in NZ but must visit a dear friend near Melbourne, and desperately want to set eyes on Sydney harbor, Opera House, etc. We well understand that we won't be doing justice to anywhere, but that's the way it is, unfortunately. The Sydney stop would have to be brief, with perhaps two days near Melbourne and the rest on the South Island (son-in-law will be at a conference in Christchurch which precipitated the trip.)

We would love to fly premium economy, which I know Air New Zealand has, and it likely makes better sense for us to do the Australia part of things first, joining the family later in Christchurch. I guess it would also make sense to fly back to the States (Alabama) out of NZ, due to the shorter distance.

We will have about 150,000 AmEx membership rewards points available to be worked into this, if possible.

Any advice will be gratefully received. We've traveled a lot, but not to this part of the world. We are amenable to flying out of pretty much anywhere in the States, through Hawaii, whatever works.

Thanks.


cpx
Dec 31, 06, 11:29 pm
First of all.. Welcome to FT!

I'd like to ask if you are flexible with the time...
NZ and AU are year round destinations, but in June the
days would be short due to winter. This may limit the number
of things you can do within a day.

I'd also recommend that you to browse through the New Zealand and
Australia sections for further details. There are a lot of threads
with travel ideas and suggestions.

As far as the Airline is concerned, I'd say Air NZ is a good option. I like
their service.

CPMaverick
Dec 31, 06, 11:43 pm
Check out this related thread:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=641219

You have 2 choices really. Fly UA or QF to Australia and fly RT to New Zealand and back, or Fly Air New Zealand connecting through NZ. (could go through Hawaii but not a great option IMO)

Personally Air New Zealand is probably the nicest route, whether you pony up for Premiuim Economy or not.

Personally, having been to Sydney and Melbourne twice, I would spend more time in Melbourne than Sydney. Sydney harbour is a MUST SEE, but the rest of Sydney isn't much to see (in my opinion, others may disagree).

Have fun, my first trip to Oz was from Alabama, quite a nasty return trip when you have a nice international flight on the return but ends with a crappy domestic transcon. ;)




SEO by vBSEO 3.2.0