Cheaper to fly from Sydney!
Jun 20, 2018, 9:28 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2017
Programs: Air NZ Airpoints silver, Koru member
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Cheaper to fly from Sydney!
In searching for a good PE deal to LAX, I've found that it's more than $1000 cheaper to book SYD-LAX return (via AKL), than it is to book AKL-LAX return. The AKL-LAX-AKL sectors are exactly the same flights. Presumably though, one can't book the SYD-LAX ticket and then just board in AKL because the ticket would be forfeited if not originated in SYD? Such a shame!
Jun 20, 2018, 9:53 pm
#3
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: New Zealand (most of the time)
Programs: Air NZ Elite *G, Honors Gold, IHG Platinum Elite
Posts: 6,114
There is nothing unusual about this and it's been happening for years.. It's so common that the mainstream media even picked up on it last year!
You can also regularly pick up QF flights from NZ to the US via Australia cheaper than Australian customers pay for the the same flights to the US.
While you can't fly from AKL as you've discovered you can short check your bags on the return sector or book a stopover of more than 24 hours which will result in bags being short checked to AKL meaning you don't need to fly the last sector to Australia.
You can also regularly pick up QF flights from NZ to the US via Australia cheaper than Australian customers pay for the the same flights to the US.
While you can't fly from AKL as you've discovered you can short check your bags on the return sector or book a stopover of more than 24 hours which will result in bags being short checked to AKL meaning you don't need to fly the last sector to Australia.
Jun 21, 2018, 12:28 am
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2017
Programs: Air NZ Airpoints silver, Koru member
Posts: 24
There is nothing unusual about this and it's been happening for years.. It's so common that the mainstream media even picked up on it last year!
You can also regularly pick up QF flights from NZ to the US via Australia cheaper than Australian customers pay for the the same flights to the US.
While you can't fly from AKL as you've discovered you can short check your bags on the return sector or book a stopover of more than 24 hours which will result in bags being short checked to AKL meaning you don't need to fly the last sector to Australia.
You can also regularly pick up QF flights from NZ to the US via Australia cheaper than Australian customers pay for the the same flights to the US.
While you can't fly from AKL as you've discovered you can short check your bags on the return sector or book a stopover of more than 24 hours which will result in bags being short checked to AKL meaning you don't need to fly the last sector to Australia.
Jun 21, 2018, 1:22 am
#5
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I suspect that if the practise became wide-spread then airlines would try and make changes to eliminate this - although not sure how.
I looked at exactly this (to MSY) - waaaay cheaper MEL-AKL-IAH (or LAX/SFO) in PE than same flights (and fare class) ex-AKL and I would quite prepared to fly Y to MEL/SYD/BNE to 'position'.
Jun 21, 2018, 1:38 am
#6
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: New Zealand (most of the time)
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When I was in the UK circa 2002 there were people who used to get caught out by T&C in either the cross channel ferries or Eurostar (I don't actually remember what one is was) who would sell cheap day return tickets for cheaper than one way tickets - with the catch being they reserved the right to charge you full fare if you didn't use the return journey on the same day. People who had paid by credit card for these tickets suddenly found a surcharge on their credit card bill!
Technically you haven't paid entry fees into NZ if you simply short check your bag, so technically you in a the wrong if you do enter NZ.
Technically you haven't paid entry fees into NZ if you simply short check your bag, so technically you in a the wrong if you do enter NZ.
Jun 21, 2018, 8:14 am
#7
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: perth
Programs: SPG(LTG), QANTAS gold, Korean, Accor Plat
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In searching for a good PE deal to LAX, I've found that it's more than $1000 cheaper to book SYD-LAX return (via AKL), than it is to book AKL-LAX return. The AKL-LAX-AKL sectors are exactly the same flights. Presumably though, one can't book the SYD-LAX ticket and then just board in AKL because the ticket would be forfeited if not originated in SYD? Such a shame!
I did it with Emirates once and they would not give me mileage for the return journey so it sometimes has consequences.
Jun 21, 2018, 10:34 am
#8
Join Date: Nov 2013
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Sadly common. In the BA forum they call it "Ex-EU" meaning "departing the EU" (often AMS) for cheaper fares even though they end up flying back through Heathrow in their case. Inside the US, on a business class seat I have saved over $1000 by getting myself to LAX (from Phoenix, 6hr drive, 70 minute flight) on a separate ticket.
Jun 22, 2018, 10:21 pm
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2017
Programs: Air NZ Airpoints silver, Koru member
Posts: 24
So, upon attempting to book SYD-LAX return using the Australian Air NZ site, it seems I either have to click back to the NZ site in order to login to my Airpoints or, alternatively, choose to continue on the Australian site without the ability to log into Airpoints. Is there a booking method I'm missing? Or do I need to book over the phone?
Jun 22, 2018, 10:54 pm
#10
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So, upon attempting to book SYD-LAX return using the Australian Air NZ site, it seems I either have to click back to the NZ site in order to login to my Airpoints or, alternatively, choose to continue on the Australian site without the ability to log into Airpoints. Is there a booking method I'm missing? Or do I need to book over the phone?
I suppose you can book without your Airports number, and then add it in afterwards using the manage my booking.
Jun 22, 2018, 11:04 pm
#11
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Jun 22, 2018, 11:45 pm
#12
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You already have forum member's thoughts on short checking the bag on the return. You could make it a multi-trip just to build in a stopover in AKL on the return - that would make the short checked bag easier, but may increase the fare.
Tell us how you get on...
Jun 22, 2018, 11:47 pm
#13
Join Date: Apr 2013
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You will need to book any such flight as a standalone and be fully aware of the risks of doing this.
Jun 22, 2018, 11:52 pm
#14
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Just to add, building in a stopover in AKL on the return doesn't affect the price at all:
SYD-LAX 9 Sep // LAX-SYD 16 Sep AUD 2499 (PE 'A' class)
SYD-LAX 9 Sep // LAX-AKL 14 Sep // AKL-SYD 16 Sep AUD 2497 (PE 'A' class)
SYD-LAX 9 Sep // LAX-SYD 16 Sep AUD 2499 (PE 'A' class)
SYD-LAX 9 Sep // LAX-AKL 14 Sep // AKL-SYD 16 Sep AUD 2497 (PE 'A' class)
Jun 23, 2018, 1:05 am
#15
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2017
Programs: Air NZ Airpoints silver, Koru member
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Interesting re the stopover - it certainly would make short-checking the bag easier. Would you still expect the Airpoints for the return flight to be awarded seeing as the flight isn’t technically completed?