Air New Zealand Air Points - US-NZ Oct 08

I am planning a trip to NZ and AU in October of 08. Right now, the fare for Air New Zealand is around 2K USD and for Qantas is 3K USD. Will the fare likely to come down? I don't think October is the prime tourist season in New Zealand, why is the airfare higher then January?

Are you looking at MKE-AKL flights or any other route?

It seems like October is a rather high-fare month.
AirNZ could start a new web special for October, but I think the current ones cover all of fall, so I suspect there won't be any new campaigns. There is a September campaign for $1000 + taxes for LAX-Australia-NZ-LAX, and from MKE it should a few hundred dollars more.

You can get $1400 MKE-SYD-AKL-MKE fares in September and $1600 in November, but October is $2000.
(Starting in LAX brings down the price to $1150 for LAX-SYD-AKL-LAX in September)

I am planning a trip to NZ and AU in October of 08. Right now, the fare for Air New Zealand is around 2K USD and for Qantas is 3K USD. Will the fare likely to come down? I don't think October is the prime tourist season in New Zealand, why is the airfare higher then January?

What routing are you looking at? And are those prices return or one way?

If NZ is cheaper than QF then definitely go with NZ as they have a far more comfortable Y cabin and nicer service and food/wine IMO.

Thanks for the responses. I need to be at Naseby NZ on Nov 1st. So I am looking for ORD-LAX/SFO-AKL-DUD departing on Oct 30. I want to spend a few days in Sydney on my way back to the States. So I am thinking of the following:
Nov 10: DUD-SYD
Nov 15: SYD-ORD
The only problem is that the Air New Zealand promotional fare($2200 USD) isn't eligible for accruing EQM with other Star Alliance partners. Is there any way to select a higher booking class on Air New Zealand website?
The promotion ends on August 18, what is the chance Air New Zealand will start another campaign for November travel?

No way to select a higher booking class (that I know of, others may do) other than to go up a fare level (ie: from Global Saver to Global Flexi).

In regards to the November promotions: last year NZ did their "Northern Lights Sale" around this time but the fares were for the next year. It really depends on the loads as to whether a sale is put on.

Naseby there's a place you don't see many people going!

If you are using the multi-city tool you are out of luck for selecting a higher class of fare. Best give NZ a call.

Are you sure that fare does not earn points on *?

The promotional fare I see won't give me points for segments operated by Air Newzealand. I will give them a call.
What are some of the transportation options for travelling either from Queenstown or Dunedin to Naseby. I won't be renting a car.

Naseby is in a beautiful part of the country, but I suspect there is NO public transport (even Ranfurly the nearest town may not have any). You could probably bus to Alexandra and cab or hitchhike from there. Alternatively, your accommodation provider may be able to pick you up from somewhere (Alexandra or Palmerston).

Naseby is in a beautiful part of the country, but I suspect there is NO public transport (even Ranfurly the nearest town may not have any).

There is daily bus service to Ranfurly from Queenstown/Wanaka/Dunedin:

http://www.time2.co.nz/transport/wanaka_connexions

Thanks for the information. I am attending a sport event in Naseby, rest of the teams are arriving the day before and I feel bad to ask the host to make another to trip to pick me up. The car rental cost is rather high and I really don't need the car for the rest of the competition. Or do I? I feel I am going to the middle of nowhere.

Naseby is in the middle of nowhere. Very nice part of the country but rather empty.

If I were you, I'd get the hire car - because it's a fantastic part of the country but with no easy way to get around unless you have your own wheels.

State highway 87, which is the most direct (but perhaps not fastest) way from Dunedin airport to Naseby, is a fabulous switchbacking mountainous drive. I loved it... though I wasn't coming straight from a longhaul flight, admittedly. But even if you go around the other way, a car will let you explore the surrounding area and generally be the master of your own destiny. But maybe I'm just projecting here - it's possible I'm just a control freak who hates to be reliant on anyone else :D ;) :o

If I were you, I'd get the hire car - because it's a fantastic part of the country but with no easy way to get around unless you have your own wheels.

State highway 87, which is the most direct (but perhaps not fastest) way from Dunedin airport to Naseby, is a fabulous switchbacking mountainous drive. I loved it... though I wasn't coming straight from a longhaul flight, admittedly. But even if you go around the other way, a car will let you explore the surrounding area and generally be the master of your own destiny. But maybe I'm just projecting here - it's possible I'm just a control freak who hates to be reliant on anyone else :D ;) :o
Agree very nice country there but although the OP is from the US it would be presumptuous to think that they can drive or rent a car.

I will spend the entire week competing. Following the competition, I will "hire a car" for three days exploring Queenstown before heading over to Sydney. I never drove on the left before, I think i can manage it. ;)