INTER-AUSSIE TRAVEL...HELP
Sep 3, 2002 | 12:43 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: SEATTLE, WA USA
Programs: UAL, AA, AS, CX
Posts: 1,980
INTER-AUSSIE TRAVEL...HELP
Well turning to the experts with a question...
I have priced out a trip on Qantas and Virgin Blue for some inter Aussie Travel in October...and pricing it as 2 round trips whether on the same or different carriers or circle trips comes out very expensive..over $600 USD...so it does appear that the Boomerang pass on Qantas is the way to go since I can do the travel for $400 USD....however
Does anyone know is there a cheaper option for which I am not exploring? Any consolidators I should contact? Any good business class rates?
My route is SYD-AYQ-CNS-SYD Thanks everyone, this is posted in Qantas as well and here since no Virgin Blue section.
I have priced out a trip on Qantas and Virgin Blue for some inter Aussie Travel in October...and pricing it as 2 round trips whether on the same or different carriers or circle trips comes out very expensive..over $600 USD...so it does appear that the Boomerang pass on Qantas is the way to go since I can do the travel for $400 USD....however
Does anyone know is there a cheaper option for which I am not exploring? Any consolidators I should contact? Any good business class rates?
My route is SYD-AYQ-CNS-SYD Thanks everyone, this is posted in Qantas as well and here since no Virgin Blue section.
Sep 3, 2002 | 1:33 am
#2
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Benicia CA
Programs: Alaska MVP Gold 75K, AA 3.8MM, UA 1.1MM, enjoying the retired life
Posts: 31,849
Do you have any miles with AA or any Qantas partners? You might be able to do open jaw award travel on Qantas SYD-AYQ-CNS, and then buy a one way ticket on Virgin Blue CNS-SYD.
I priced SYD-AYQ-SYD ($A563 on Qantas) and SYD-CNS-SYD ($A279 on Virgin Blue) using Oct 4-7 travel dates just to get some fares, and that works out to about $US464, so this comes out pretty close to what you have with the airpass. I think the problem you're running into is that there is not any competition to Ayers Rock, so no reason to hold the fares down there.
I priced SYD-AYQ-SYD ($A563 on Qantas) and SYD-CNS-SYD ($A279 on Virgin Blue) using Oct 4-7 travel dates just to get some fares, and that works out to about $US464, so this comes out pretty close to what you have with the airpass. I think the problem you're running into is that there is not any competition to Ayers Rock, so no reason to hold the fares down there.
Sep 3, 2002 | 6:33 am
#3
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Butler, PA. USA
Posts: 245
This may be a stupid question- but did you check the Qantas website? We're travelling early next year and found some inner-aussie air fares that were incredible (good until the end of March)- approximately half of what we we were quoted as Y, and still less expensive than the boomerang.
Good luck!
Good luck!
Sep 3, 2002 | 7:38 am
#4
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: BNE and GLA
Programs: AA Plat, QF Club
Posts: 83
I think it's pretty much been summed up here.
Ayers Rock is a tourist destination; there is no reason to go there unless you're a tourist. Airline (QF) logic: cashed up US/EU/JP tourists will pay anything, therefore we won't offer any cheap fares.
My advice: skip the rock. But then again, I'm a jaded Australian who thinks Steve Irwin should turned into stylish-yet-affordable leather handbags.
Ayers Rock is a tourist destination; there is no reason to go there unless you're a tourist. Airline (QF) logic: cashed up US/EU/JP tourists will pay anything, therefore we won't offer any cheap fares.
My advice: skip the rock. But then again, I'm a jaded Australian who thinks Steve Irwin should turned into stylish-yet-affordable leather handbags.
Sep 3, 2002 | 6:43 pm
#5
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Ani Ichibanya
Programs: WWMFD
Posts: 6,292
My advice: skip the rock. But then again, I'm a jaded Australian who thinks Steve Irwin should turned into stylish-yet-affordable leather handbags.
CRIKEY!
------------------
I'm growing older, but not up...
CRIKEY!
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I'm growing older, but not up...
Sep 3, 2002 | 7:59 pm
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: SEATTLE, WA USA
Programs: UAL, AA, AS, CX
Posts: 1,980
Well to update everyone...yes I have checked the Qantas website...cheaper if I do the boomerang...not sure yet if I get miles to my AA account for this...I think i do though.
Do the Rock / Don't do the Rock....I have heard from many people who just leave me confused on whether I should do this or not...so any more comments of specifics as to why do this or why not?
I want to experience the essence of AUS...I plan to be in Sydney, Cairns/Port Douglas and Ayers Rock. While in Ayers I was planning on the rock, King's Canyon, Katherine Gorge, balloon & camel ride..and I was told to see coober peddy. So what do you think? Thanks
Do the Rock / Don't do the Rock....I have heard from many people who just leave me confused on whether I should do this or not...so any more comments of specifics as to why do this or why not?
I want to experience the essence of AUS...I plan to be in Sydney, Cairns/Port Douglas and Ayers Rock. While in Ayers I was planning on the rock, King's Canyon, Katherine Gorge, balloon & camel ride..and I was told to see coober peddy. So what do you think? Thanks
Sep 3, 2002 | 9:53 pm
#7
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: BNE and GLA
Programs: AA Plat, QF Club
Posts: 83
You've identified the $100,000 AUD question (roughly converts to $21 USD): what is the essence of Australia?
Foreigners would probably say that the outback is; Australians would probably cringe at the thought.
What do others think?
[This message has been edited by whitters (edited 09-03-2002).]
Foreigners would probably say that the outback is; Australians would probably cringe at the thought.
What do others think?
[This message has been edited by whitters (edited 09-03-2002).]
Sep 4, 2002 | 7:56 am
#8
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Benicia CA
Programs: Alaska MVP Gold 75K, AA 3.8MM, UA 1.1MM, enjoying the retired life
Posts: 31,849
My best trip over was a one week backpackers tour from Perth to Exmouth in W.A., well off the U.S. tourist path (I was the only American on board the 4WD tour bus). I'd like to do some more travel out west just because it doesn't get the amount of tourists you see along the east coast, or in the Red Centre. I've got as far south there as Augusta, below the Margaret River area, but would like to head further south from there.
[This message has been edited by tom911 (edited 09-04-2002).]
[This message has been edited by tom911 (edited 09-04-2002).]
Sep 4, 2002 | 1:03 pm
#9
formerly known as RK7
Join Date: Aug 1999
Location: Grass Valley SMF
Programs: Many
Posts: 722
We're after the same "essence of Oz" in our trip at the end of the month and we're skipping the Rock and instead going to the Barossa Valley. I can already taste the "essence of Oz" and in my mind it's a great Shiraz.
And we're using AA miles for Biz Class in Qantas SYD-CNS CNS-ADL.
[This message has been edited by RK7 (edited 09-05-2002).]
And we're using AA miles for Biz Class in Qantas SYD-CNS CNS-ADL.
[This message has been edited by RK7 (edited 09-05-2002).]
Sep 5, 2002 | 7:56 am
#10
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Ettalong Beach (Central Coast) NSW
Programs: Ex UA PremEx
Posts: 849
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by whitters:
My advice: skip the rock. But then again, I'm a jaded Australian who thinks Steve Irwin should turned into stylish-yet-affordable leather handbags.</font>
My advice: skip the rock. But then again, I'm a jaded Australian who thinks Steve Irwin should turned into stylish-yet-affordable leather handbags.</font>
Phoebe