bazers

I realize that flying to NZ in Dec/Jan is peak season and the current ticket prices reflect that. Currently about $2000 - $2500 from the East Coast. Trying to get it closer to $1000.

Just checking if anyone has tips on ways to fly there less expensively in Dec/Jan.

For example
* Cheapest cities in the US to depart from
* Other cities in the world that have "cheap" flights to NZ (maybe Sydney or others) and then I could maybe keep an eye out on sale fares (or using frequent flier miles) to that city
* Companies that might be able to provide "bucket" fares -- there is 6 or 7 in our party going
* Perhaps there are certain days in advance when these ticket prices drop

Also, any creative routing/airlines for getting frequent flier tickets. I do have a bit of points in a few different programs and maybe there is an "odd" partner that I could transfer too for a great redemption.

Thanks in advance.

Mwenenzi

Are you wanting US$1000 return? That is very hopefull at peak times, even 8 months out. Aust - NZ trans Tasman airfares will be high at that time. Just pay the going rate in my view.

Airlines that fly USA/Canada to/from New Zealand are (not from all airports to all airports)
- Air New Zealand NZ (LAX SFO IAH YVR- AKL)[Star Alliance]
- Qantas QF (via SYD BNE & MEL) [OneWorld Alliance] (AS partner)
- American Airlines AA (LAX - AKL) from June 2016 [OneWorld Alliance] (AS partner)
- Virgin Australia VA (via BNE & SYD) (DL partner)
- United UA (SFO - AKL) from July 2016
- Hawaiian HA (HNL-AKL)(AA & VA partner)
- Fiji Airways FJ, (via Fiji) (QF AA & AS partner)
- Air Tahiti Nui TN (via Tahiti -AKL) (AA & DL partner)
And others via Asia & Middle East


Airlines that fly USA/Canada to/from Australia (not from all airports to all airports)
- United UA (LAX SFO – SYD MEL) [Star Alliance]
- American Airlines AA (LAX - SYD) [OneWorld Alliance] (AS partner)
- Qantas QF (LAX SFO JFK DFW HNL YVR*– SYD BNE MEL) [OneWorld Alliance] (AS partner) {* seasonal}
- Jetstar JQ (HNL – SYD BNE)
- Delta DL (LAX – SYD) (VA & AS partner) [Skyteam Alliance]
- Virgin Australia VA (LAX – SYD BNE) (DL partner)
- Hawaiian HA (HNL – SYD BNE via Hawaii) (AA & VA partner)
- Air New Zealand NZ (LAX SFO IAH YVR via AKL) [Star Alliance]
- Fiji Airways FJ (LAX via Fiji) (QF, AA & AS partner)
- Air Tahiti Nui TN (LAX last segments on codeshares) (AA & DL partner)
- Air Canada AC (YYR – SYD, BNE from Jun 2016) [Star Alliance]
And others via Asia & Middle East


Airlines that fly Australia (CNS* MCY* BNE OOL SYD CBR MEL ADL PER) to/from New Zealand (AKL WLG CHC DUD ZQN) (not from all airports to all airports)
- Air New Zealand NZ (codeshares with VA) [Star Alliance] {* winter seasonal}
- Virgin Australia VA (codeshares with Air NZ) (Delta partner)
- Jetstar JQ (owned by QF)
- Qantas QF (codeshares with EK) [OneWorld Alliance]
- Emirates EK (codeshares with QF)
- LAN LA (SYD AKL) [OneWorld Alliance]
- China Airlines CI (BNE SYD MEL* – AKL CHC*) [Skyteam Alliance] {* summer seasonal}
- Singapore SQ (CBR WLG) [Star Alliance] from Sept 2016
- Air Asia D7 (OOL - AKL) from March 2016
- Philippines PR (CNS - AKL)

mikew99

Generally, you can choose two of the following:

• Where you go
• When you go
• How much you pay

You're trying to control all three, and that usually doesn't work out too well. I'm not saying that you won't be able to do it, but I think it's useful to set reasonable expectations about what you hope to accomplish. If I were you, I'd start a discussion with your party about making a back-up plan. Figure out which two of the three points above are most important to you, and go from there.

bazers

Yes, aiming for something close to $1000 return. I do realize it will be a challenge, but I love a challenge and I love discovering "sneaky/creative" ways to make these things happen. FlyerTalk and other places have been instrumental for learning those tricks to take trips to over 70 countries, often on great fares.

trooper

You can save nearly 500 by flying to NAN and back on one ticket.... and from NAN to AKL vv on another.....

Build in time between of course... no protection on separate tickets!

I think 1000 will be unachievable.... sorry.

Kiwi Flyer

Cheapest US departures for NZ are HNL then LAX and SFO.

You just missed a sale for $200 oneway.

Doc Savage

That was $212 round trip. I'll be visiting you in a few months.

bazers

The sale was only good through Nov 30th. Unfortunately the family we are traveling with can only go over the Christmas break because she works at a school. She has a little flexibility in her schedule but not much.

JClasstraveller

Cheap flights ex-Australia to NZ in Dec/Jan? You'll be lucky to pay $AUD700 return for SYD/MEL/BNE to AKL in that time.

Sale fares at that time? It's the ultra peak season for Southern Hemisphere flights.

Redemption tickets available for 6 or 7 in that time?

FTers are good but sometimes the impossible is asked for.

Have you considered CZ via CAN? I know it's a bloody long way around but I think that will be the closest you'll be able to get.

Mwenenzi

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/air-n...45-return.html