YVR - MEL: AC or other?
Nov 13, 2014, 10:44 am
#16
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: YOW/HBA
Programs: Qantas Silver, MileagePlus Silver
Posts: 418
I flew YOW-YVR-SYD-BNE in 2010. The SYD-BNE segment on QF was an international flight because it continued onwards to Asia after stopping in BNE. So I stayed in the Intl terminal upon arriving in Sydney and cleared customs when I got to Brisbane.
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Nov 13, 2014, 10:56 am
#17
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 112
Don't forget it is only 25,000 aeropesos to fly from NZ to AUS. We went AKL-SYD, MEL-WLG (23.5 hour stopover)-AKL. While in Australia, we got flights for under $100 per person to see Gold Coast (SYD-OOL) and then $90 pp (OOL-MEL) on Virgin Australia.
We flew YYC-LAX-AKL, AKL-LAX-SFO-YYC by booking through Air New Zealand. My Wife and 2 Kids tried their SkyCouch and had a bit more room to sleep with some comfy pillows. I took an exit row to fit my long legs.
All in we got to see AKL, SYD, OOL, MEL, & WLG for about the same price (plus 100k aeropesos) as flying YYC-MEL on AC.
We flew YYC-LAX-AKL, AKL-LAX-SFO-YYC by booking through Air New Zealand. My Wife and 2 Kids tried their SkyCouch and had a bit more room to sleep with some comfy pillows. I took an exit row to fit my long legs.
All in we got to see AKL, SYD, OOL, MEL, & WLG for about the same price (plus 100k aeropesos) as flying YYC-MEL on AC.
Nov 13, 2014, 4:48 pm
#18
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Toronto YYZ UA-1K 1MM,QFgold
Programs: Royal Ambassador/ SPG Platinum 75/Marriott gold
Posts: 14,283
its much better than trying to change airports in Sydney. ( its a major hassle) The UA plane has E+ and its cheap to buy, if the OP does not have status.
Nov 13, 2014, 8:04 pm
#19
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2013
Programs: AC 100K, Alaska MVP Gold 75K, Marriott/SPG (Bonvoy?) Gold Elite/HHonors Gold
Posts: 337
Thanks for the replies and follow ups.
Rooflyer, thanks for the Intel about arriving into SYD.
Looking forward to Virgin Australia as have flown Virgin America a few times in J and it's been great.
Also, hoping to avoid a checked bag (short trip) so should be able to avoid that part.
Rooflyer, thanks for the Intel about arriving into SYD.
Looking forward to Virgin Australia as have flown Virgin America a few times in J and it's been great.
Also, hoping to avoid a checked bag (short trip) so should be able to avoid that part.
Nov 13, 2014, 10:21 pm
#21
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: YVR
Posts: 251
Interesting comments so far, I am making this trip next fall for a wedding and have lots of flexible time to play with flights.
Has anyone done anything like YVR/SEA-CGK/SIN/BKK/etc... stay a couple days, then head down to SYD/MEL? I am thinking some of the $1000 flights that have been floating around, it seems to be about $700-$1000 to go from Asia to Australia afterwards, all in it is pretty comparable to going direct.
The Hawaii idea sounds kind of nice, as does Fiji.
Has anyone done anything like YVR/SEA-CGK/SIN/BKK/etc... stay a couple days, then head down to SYD/MEL? I am thinking some of the $1000 flights that have been floating around, it seems to be about $700-$1000 to go from Asia to Australia afterwards, all in it is pretty comparable to going direct.
The Hawaii idea sounds kind of nice, as does Fiji.
Nov 14, 2014, 5:52 am
#22
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC*SE 2MM
Posts: 16,655
I'm going to MEL next March and thinking of booking YYZ-LHR-SIN-MEL and then either return the same way or make it a RTW by going MEL-SIN-NRT-LAX-YYX to do most of it on SQ. Looks like anywhere from $2,500 - $3,500 in Y. For a bit over $3K I can do it in B class and use 20,000 points to upgrade on the AC transatlantic portion.
Quick way to earn +/-30,000 AQM.
Quick way to earn +/-30,000 AQM.
Nov 14, 2014, 3:53 pm
#24
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Toronto YYZ UA-1K 1MM,QFgold
Programs: Royal Ambassador/ SPG Platinum 75/Marriott gold
Posts: 14,283
for 35" seat pitch? YAH.
Also UA is full award miles and AC would be 50% miles for tango.
UA is less expensive than AC so use that money to get a better seat.
If miles are not an issue buy a flight on Philippine Airlines.. they are the cheapest business class fare, maybe the best Y fare, i didn't check.
Also UA is full award miles and AC would be 50% miles for tango.
UA is less expensive than AC so use that money to get a better seat.
If miles are not an issue buy a flight on Philippine Airlines.. they are the cheapest business class fare, maybe the best Y fare, i didn't check.
Nov 17, 2014, 12:58 pm
#26
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: YVR
Programs: AC SE 2MM; UA MP Premier Silver; Marriott Bonvoy LT Titanium Elite; Radisson; Avis PC
Posts: 35,255
*New related question twist
I am flying AC33/34 into/out of SYD.
Is there an arrivals lounge for AC/*G customers?
I want to do SYD MEL Business Class r/t on *A but there is no *A footprint now that Ansett is gone. Suggestions?
(I would be transferring at SYD same day both ways, will not be spending time in SYD at all and have no plans to exit SYD airport)
Is there an arrivals lounge for AC/*G customers?
I want to do SYD MEL Business Class r/t on *A but there is no *A footprint now that Ansett is gone. Suggestions?
(I would be transferring at SYD same day both ways, will not be spending time in SYD at all and have no plans to exit SYD airport)
Nov 17, 2014, 1:23 pm
#28
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: YVR
Programs: AC SE 2MM; UA MP Premier Silver; Marriott Bonvoy LT Titanium Elite; Radisson; Avis PC
Posts: 35,255
Nov 17, 2014, 1:44 pm
#29
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Brisbane, QLD
Programs: VA Gold, BA Silver
Posts: 363
Your main options are:
Qantas
Virgin Australia
Jetstar
Tiger (would not recommend).
Nov 17, 2014, 5:33 pm
#30
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: YVR
Programs: AC SE 2MM; UA MP Premier Silver; Marriott Bonvoy LT Titanium Elite; Radisson; Avis PC
Posts: 35,255
I was hoping for actual tips for SYD connection from AC to a specific airline... I am fully aware of which airlines fly domestically in Australia!