Multiple flights on a single booking - any benefit?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Up North
Posts: 659
Multiple flights on a single booking - any benefit?
Hi, first time I've ventured in to this forum so hopefully you guys can help me.
I've got to book the following flights for next year:
Sydney to Auckland
Rotorua to Queenstown
Queenstown to Christchurch
Christchurch to Sydney
These will all be cheapy, fixed tickets so is there any benefit of phoning Air NZ and booking these all together or might I as well book them directly on the website one-by-one?
Cheers
Kieran
I've got to book the following flights for next year:
Sydney to Auckland
Rotorua to Queenstown
Queenstown to Christchurch
Christchurch to Sydney
These will all be cheapy, fixed tickets so is there any benefit of phoning Air NZ and booking these all together or might I as well book them directly on the website one-by-one?
Cheers
Kieran
#2
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: SYD, GOT
Programs: BA GGL; SK EBG; QF LTG; Hilton Diamond, A-Club Platinum, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 2,732
It depends. Generally the benefit of linking separate tickets on one PNR is to;
1. Ensure that luggage is transfered to the next flight, without hassle
2. Provide some protection if your first flight is delayed that they may be proactive at your origin and rebook you rather than just wanting to get you to your transfer (as they see that as the destination).
3. If your international flight has a better luggage allowance.
4. If your international trip is in business class but you have no status, it can 'help' with lounge access.
5. Some instances of travel insurance are easier if they can see the whole itinerary.
If none of the above apply or are important then book separate tickets. If you provide dates and times we could provide a better answer.
Mark
1. Ensure that luggage is transfered to the next flight, without hassle
2. Provide some protection if your first flight is delayed that they may be proactive at your origin and rebook you rather than just wanting to get you to your transfer (as they see that as the destination).
3. If your international flight has a better luggage allowance.
4. If your international trip is in business class but you have no status, it can 'help' with lounge access.
5. Some instances of travel insurance are easier if they can see the whole itinerary.
If none of the above apply or are important then book separate tickets. If you provide dates and times we could provide a better answer.
Mark
#5
Moderator, Hilton Honors
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: on a short leash
Programs: some
Posts: 71,422
#6
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,935
It can be cheaper.
If you book everything as single segments, you'll miss out on pricing through-fares if they cost less than the sum of individual flights. I don't think this applies for your itinerary, but keep this in mind in general.
#7
Join Date: Feb 2007
Programs: NZ Koru
Posts: 6,415
#8
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: wellington
Programs: NZ*E,SQ ,QF IC AMB Plat, hltn gold
Posts: 215
that is very very treue the new tool is hopeless when trying to brak journeys , i tried wlg-akl-fra( via) lhr-yvr-wlg , it refused point blank , worked beter when i rtemoved wlg but still couldnt complet ehte booking like expedia tool would.
#9
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Auckland, New Zealand
Programs: NZ *E, Hilton Diamond, Marriot Bonvoy Gold, Amex Platinum, Accor Advantage Plus
Posts: 324
More than once I've been unable to do something on their multi city tool, phoned the call cetnre and refused to pay the call centre fee.
If the web site won't let you do it, why should I pay extra for them to do it? So far, they've agreed every time.
Classic scenario was trans Tasman say AKL-MEL then SYD-AKL. Booking it as two separate fares was about 100 bucks more than doing it as a return with an open jaw. It was something to do with taxes.
If the web site won't let you do it, why should I pay extra for them to do it? So far, they've agreed every time.
Classic scenario was trans Tasman say AKL-MEL then SYD-AKL. Booking it as two separate fares was about 100 bucks more than doing it as a return with an open jaw. It was something to do with taxes.
#10
Join Date: May 2008
Location: MSP
Programs: DL Plat, NZ Elite, QF Plat
Posts: 1,776
I haven't had issues with booking multi-city itinerary's like that. Have just clicked "Return from a different city" and it has worked fined. Although I do agree that the old multi-city tool was far greater. Proper seat selection and the ability to book partner airline flights without too much hassle. Liked how it was back-end software as well.
#11
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Auckland, New Zealand
Programs: NZ *E, Hilton Diamond, Marriot Bonvoy Gold, Amex Platinum, Accor Advantage Plus
Posts: 324
IIRC the problem was that the old one would only let you book the cheapest fare available, usually Smart Saver. If you wanted to book anything else (gotta buy a fare that helps me keep my status), you couldn't do it. I haven't used the new one.
#12
Moderator, Hilton Honors
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: on a short leash
Programs: some
Posts: 71,422
I just waited until the cheap fares sold out, or choose a route with multiple flight options and pick the flight that is in the fare category you want (can later change to the exact flight you wanted). Worked for me.