Hello,
We purchased tickets through a TA for February 2023. Due to various circumstances, we had to change our trip to November 2023. Our TA had originally told us (I think) the tickets were refundable which is why she didn't have us purchase travel insurance for the air portion. When we said we needed to change the trip, she asked me (I think) if we wanted a refund or just have her hold the credit. Seemed fine to hold the credit. Well - the flight has gone up insanely. I did ask about a refund, but she said no refund. It's not a huge issue (though annoying - though maybe I'm wrong) because we still want to go. We purchased business on Qantas and the price was crazy 8500 or so per person. But my beloved mother's wish was some of the inheritance money was to go to a trip - so we went for it.

Now the flight to Sydney (I understand we can't see out far enough to purchase yet as we plan on returning about 1/7/24) is about 15K! There are flights to Auckland via Qantas on Tahiti airlines which go through Sydney, but much less expensive. (Still a crazy amount)

A few questions:
1. Is Tahiti airlines nice business? We had really looked forward to Qantas and the upstairs bar -but of course we can live without that)
2. TA said something about "i," fares - and said they don't seem to be released. Would you hold off or buy as soon as flights are available?
3. If we choose the Auckland flight via Sydney - can we just skip the last leg and not go to Auckland (we'd fly back via Auckland as we plan on NZ after Australia anyway)

Any thoughts are very much appreciated. THANK YOU
Ellen