Flying out of Melbourne and can only find airfares with Virgin and/or Air NZ around AUD$1000 return. Have checked through Expedia and Webjet. Anyone know if there will be deals coming out before I book at the end of Feb?
Travelling to Rarotonga in July '15 for friends wedding. Looking for best airfare deal
Kiwires on 03/02/2015 - 22:11
Comments
I think even Virgin and Air NZ codeshare that flight path and you'd be flying the same planes via Auckland?
Not quite correct. Both carriers fly their own metal out there, though some VA/NZ tickets may codeshare the MEL-AKL segment (and you generally pay more as a result).
I've been out to Raro twice in the past two years on Virgin Australia, pretty much all thanks to frequent flyer points. Specifically, I mean getting a credit card with a velocity sign-on bonus. My partner and I both got a Platinum Velocity Amex, and for the (steep) initial fee of $349 you get a 50,000 point sign on bonus (along with a domestic flight included in the fee).
SYD/MEL/BNE to Rarotonga is 25,400pts each way plus arount $160ish taxes (from memory). So, this way you can get to Raro for less than $550pp. The big caveat here is finding reward availability - winter school holidays are very difficult to grab a reward ticket in (don't forget NZ school holidays impact on availability too), but if the wedding is after about 20 July, you could still be lucky.
If you need help checking availability, let me know. I hope you make it there, the cook islands are magical.
Figure I'd use Expedia for flights and hotel with the 5.5% CashReward bonus. Have got an alert on Adioso, with $897 currently the lowest airfare on Virgin and accomodation about $150/night.
Flying out 0835, 17th July (Melbourne) and returning 2310, 24th July (Raro), both via Akld.
Wouldn't mind signing up for the Platinum Velocity Amex if they offered 1st year free, like my Amex Black with 50,000 QFF points.
Thanks for the advice.
Air NZ fly nonstop SYD/RAR once a week on Sat depart 9pm ish, arrive 7am ish same day as cross dateline.
Coming home the nonstop is Fri 5pm, arrive SYD 8pm Sat. You can just connect on last Qantas flight SYD/MEL (NOT SURE ABOUT SYD/MEL on virgin)
There's no competition for that path I suppose. I think even Virgin and Air NZ codeshare that flight path and you'd be flying the same planes via Auckland? Combining no name flights (Tahiti Air etc will probably cost more anyway).
One choice you do have is to go on Skyscanner and get automatic quotes through a range of alternative booking agencies. These agencies are often $20+ cheaper for some strange reason than booking direct but they're a little less reliable than booking direct apparently when things go wrong (I've only ever tried Zuji and it was fine that one time). What you can do is get Flight Centre to price match your on-line quote.
Saying that if you've got time and a friend to travel with you might get better value in a package (but July is normally expensive everywhere).