Australia, New Zealand & the South Pacific - Seeking suggestions for lower SYD-CNS fares

For my RT Oct 1/6, I'm finding AUD425/person for SYD-CNS and AUD215/person for CNS-SYD. I'm surprised at these high fares. I have checked Quantas, Jetstar, and Virgin Blue through their web sites.

Any suggestions on how to get a better deal (e.g. consolidators, agents, websites, other airlines)?

First of all, I assume you're in the US (maybe CA from your name?) Did you go on each airline's Australian website (ending in .com.au)? Their fares are generally lower than the US (.com) website. You pay in AUD, so have to work out the conversion rate to see if you're getting a good fare.

There are several other sites such as www.lastminute.com.au They are a good place to check. However you're already checking the 3 airlines on that route. Consider varying your dates +/- a day or taking a very early or late flight.

Keep in mind SYD-CNS is a fair distance, I believe similar to SFO-SEA. Also I don't know Aussie school vacation schedules, but October may be a peak period since it's just before the rainy weather and stinger season begins.

That is the start of school holidays in NSW and near the end of school holidays for victoria

As mentioned, SYD-CNS is a fair distance ( 1222 miles so near double the distance of SEA-SFO)

Since the cheaper fares are sold out, that happens to be the price.

There isn't much in the way of cheap / consolidator fares for domestic travel in Australia , so you are not likely to find cheap fares elsewhere

If there are a few of you travelling and want to save money, but don't mind a 4 hour drive, fares from SYD-TSV are $276 that day which would save $149 a passenger. taking cost of hire car plus petrol for , say, 3 or more passengers,, could be a way to save money. Wouldn't seem worth it for 1-2 passengers

Dave

Kenish -- Yes, I'm in CA. I checked lastminute but got the same types of fares through the airlines' Australian websites.

I also checked for FF seats on Quantas but there are none left for my dates/segments. I'll just have to buy the tickets at the current prices. Thanks, everyone, for your guidance.

try www.iwantthatflight.com.au - it searches for the cheapest flights for the routes and days you want.

The reason I was wondering if you were in the US was twofold. First to make sure you were using the Aussie websites and not the US version of the same. The reason I didn't mention is don't spend a lot of time worrying about a few dollars. You've probably noticed the AUD is getting strong against the USD so if that continues the fare will get more expensive paid in USD.

We booked almost everything in March when the rate was $0.65 By the time we traveled in June/July it was 79c and now it's 86c. That's good for our California tourism though...it attracts Aussies here for bargains!

You've probably noticed the AUD is getting strong against the USD so if that continues the fare will get more expensive paid in USD. Yup -- it's been creeping up for months. I was fortunate earlier this year to buy one-way CNS-SYD flights on DJ when the exchange rates were with me, and they were less than US$120 each, baggage surcharge included. Now, it's not so sweet a deal.

BTW, when you buy these tickets on the Australian websites, the system can tell you're US-based and will ask if you want to pay in US dollars. Say no. You'll get a better deal when your credit-card company does the conversion.

For my RT Oct 1/6, I'm finding AUD425/person for SYD-CNS and AUD215/person for CNS-SYD. I'm surprised at these high fares. I have checked Quantas, Jetstar, and Virgin Blue through their web sites.

Any suggestions on how to get a better deal (e.g. consolidators, agents, websites, other airlines)?

I fly SYD-CNS 1 week before you. As part of a DJ airpass I'm paying $199AU for SYD-CNS, purchased a week ago. I'll be returning to SYD via an alt route.

I've tweaked my airpass, route, dates and times, and have found the cheaper seats are disappearing pretty fast.

If you're arriving from the US, are a US citizen, and are flying 3 or more segments then the airpass is a pretty good deal. Prices are a little lower and you pay no GST. For example, you could fly:
10/1 - SYD-BNE, as low as $99AU
10/1 - BNE-CNS, $199AU
10/6 - CNS-SYD, $199AU

+$3AU per segment for CC usage ... but not sure if what's available fits your schedule. Good luck.