Flights to Japan around Christmas

Lxtngo on 13/07/2017 - 15:28
Last edited 13/07/2017 - 21:14

After some advice! :) I have been contemplating on booking my holiday to Japan at the end of the year. The dates I'm going aren't flexible (due to partners mandatory leave) so would like to travel from the 23rd of December - 12th of Jan. Flights I'm seeing ATM are around $1765 with Cathay pacific. That's stopping in HK for a few days first before flying to Tokyo then going home back to Melbourne from Osaka.
My question is…should I just book it now? Or gamble at the chance it might go down… $1765pp just seems like a lot.

My partner is not keen on flying another budget airline for a long haul either so Jetstar and Airasia are out of the picture unfortunately :(

EDIT:
Thanks to everyone's advice, I have booked it! Came down a bit cheaper with STA travel being able to price match woohoo

Travel

Comments

  • samp e on 13/07/2017 - 15:39
    +3

    I flew to Tokyo on Qantas the same period as you and that costed me $1,500 (we booked in March!). I don't think prices will drop as Christmas creeps in closer.

    • xtngo on 13/07/2017 - 15:52

      Oooo okay maybe I'll just go for it and book then. Will save the stress of taking the chance and waiting for a flight that may just go up! Thanks for replying :D

    • xtngo on 13/07/2017 - 15:56

      Also, was this booking for a previous year or this year? If it was a previous year - got any recommendations on where to go in the winter months of Japan!

      • lupiter on 13/07/2017 - 16:14
        +1

        South and East. West coast will be buried in snow. Kyoto was lovely over Xmas-NY 2 years ago. I'll be there again this year for Tokyo, Osaka and somewhere on Shikoku or Kyushu.

  • pantsparty on 13/07/2017 - 15:40
    +1

    Got any Qantas points? Might get lucky and be able to snag an award flight. Qantas has two seats available on December 25th for 35,000 points per person, direct from Melb to Tokyo. Might be able to found other options.

    • xtngo on 13/07/2017 - 15:54

      Unfortunately I don't :( I'm not actually sure how to gain Qantas points. I should look into cards which provide a point system!
      That sounds like a pretty good deal though (not sure how the points work) maybe I should get on the St George card to get 60,000 points ;D

      • pantsparty on 13/07/2017 - 16:09

        Or the ANZ card which has 75,000 bonus points. If your partner does the same you can very quickly have 150k points.

        • xtngo on 13/07/2017 - 16:13

          I was just looking at the ANZ card deal actually! I wonder how long they would take to credit the Qantas points though…by the time they do prices will probably be soaring!

        • pantsparty on 13/07/2017 - 16:14

          @xtngo: The price in points will not change. It is a set rate based on distance. The only possible issue is that the award seats may be sold out by the time you have the points.

  • Halo375 on 13/07/2017 - 15:57

    Jetstar via Gold Coast $1305 - http://www.momondo.com/flightsearch/?Search=true&TripType=2&…

    EDIT - Just saw not a fan of Jetstar… oh well!

    • xtngo on 13/07/2017 - 16:02

      Haha thanks for looking it up anyway!

  • lupiter on 13/07/2017 - 16:15

    Try looking at JAL, it can be cheaper depending on where you want to fly in and out of.

    • xtngo on 13/07/2017 - 16:16

      Was watching JAL flights from Melbourne last week, it was a beautiful price of 1.5 then it suddenly went to 2.3!!

  • PumaPants on 13/07/2017 - 16:18

    you might be better off flying in and out of tokyo.

    If you're going to get a JR Pass anyway, it will be significantly cheaper.

    My advice would be do tokyo>whatever inbetween>osaka>tokyo, spend the last two days of your trip back in tokyo. Good luck and enjoy!

  • ApplePineapplePen on 13/07/2017 - 16:49

    the price will only increase… dec is peak season so you won't be looking at any price drop or promotion.

  • Drew Peaballs on 13/07/2017 - 17:06
    +3

    Doing a stopover may increase the flights a little bit. Being a travel agent I suggest to book it in now before the prices go up. As everyone has stated, the prices will only go up, and the availability of classes will shrink. Next minute you're kicking yourself for not booking it in the time you asked this question.

    You won't get any sale fares during this period either as you're already in high season each way.

    Just my 2c.

    • xtngo on 13/07/2017 - 21:07

      Advice taken and I have just booked :)
      Just needed that extra push, especially hearing from a travel agent! Thanks :)

      • Drew Peaballs on 13/07/2017 - 22:25

        Good to know!

        Next time book it in with me! lol.

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