My flight hunting skills are so rusty - can you help me re-learn the ropes?

Hi bargain pros,

I haven't been able to travel for so long - (and I'm still not going anywhere, sadly)

However, I have been tasked with finding a flight for a much loved senior family member, who needs to go to Europe to see family for probably the last time.
Now, being an older person, they go to the Qantas website, put in dates, think "oh, that's so expensive!!!' and then book anyway, thus removing a large chunk of their travel money.

I've taken it on myself to find them a good deal - but here's the problem, I'm honestly so out of practice, that I've resorted to just reloading skyscanner again and again in the hope of finding something.

Unfortunately, the travel dates are non-negotiable and it's basically the three weeks of winter school holidays arrgh. They have to fly from Melbourne into Vienna, and then return from Amsterdam back to Melbourne. Also, being a senior, it means no 12 hour layovers, no budget carriers and no more than 1 stop (all of my cheap-ass techniques, basically).

So, using sky scanner - I can get something around $2663 on Emirates and Qantas, but only via third party sites, like Flight Network and GotoGate, and I'm not 100% comfortable using them for another person (I'd probably risk it for myself).

In the past, I've price matched these third party sites with Emirates/Qantas - but gee, it was a really precise and intricate art, that required reading the T&C like a pro and then screencapping every possible proof they could need. So I'm reluctant to risk that too, unless one of you can confirm that they definitely price match say, Flight Network and have had success yourself.

I've tried out codes on Emirates (entertainment book), which work, but only shave off a small amount considering the inflation (brings down the whole price to around 3400).
Emirates also tells me that I can only book their medium range flex-pro tickets, all the cheaper flex tickets are gone for flying out.

I've even used ITAMatrix, was thrilled to get a good Qantas price and was figuring out how to book before I realised it was probably in USD. That's how rusty I am!

(At this point, those of you screaming "Use your points!", I'm afraid there's no points here. We don't travel often and very sadly nobody is a credit card churning master)

So please, help this grasshopper to remember how to wax-on-wax-off the flight system. I honestly want to make sure they have enough cash left to enjoy themselves once they are there. Strudels, danish pastries and all :)

All help would be greatly appreciated. I've spent a number of hours on this and have hit the wall - time to reach out to the pros.

Edit as requested below, here are the dates. If someone enjoys the challenge and wants to give it a go, you're a real good egg for trying to help.

Departing Melbourne to Vienna: 25th / 26th or 27th June. Please don't include the 5am flight that is on offer, as I called last night to see if that was okay and apparently it's not, given the probable peak queues and getting to the airport at 1am at least… (sigh).

Returning Amsterdam to Melbourne 13th/14th July (possibly can stretch even one day outside of that either side)


UPDATE

Ok, so I took all the help on board and tried to contact some travel agents to arrange the flights I found from ITA Matrix.

Whoa.
If Flight Center are that rude to someone trying to book a flight, I can only imagine what they're like to people trying to get their refunds.
I asked very politely, but got told point blank that they will not look at my itinerary, will not price match any price except for what's listed by the actual airline, and are only doing appointment based bookings right now…with no appointments until next week. Hilariously, she then said "I'm on brea- I mean, I have an appointment now, so have to go" and hung up! It was actually funny (it was around lunch time).

I tried a few more Flight Centers, but got the same (albeit marginally politer) responses. (Clearly, calling around 4pm means no more hangry staff)

So, I'm back onto trying to book online myself but am struggling to find a price similar to what ITA Matrix shows. I'm still getting late 2700-2900, but even skyscanner is showing over 4000 now…

Where on earth is ITA Matrix pulling these prices from? Any help?

Comments

  • +9

    I read the title as fight hunting.

    Was disappointed.

    • +2

      My fight hunting skills involve: Find fight - Run away from fight - Cower somewhere while remembering fight

      Essentially my fight skills = flight skills.

    • Thought this was fight club…

      • Nah, just flight club. Involves multiple trips to the toilet before take off and copious amounts of in flight alcohol.

  • +7

    Step 1 - Post on ozbargain.

    Step 2 - Review smart arse comments.

    Step 3 - Apologise to your family member and admit defeat.

    You have sucessfully completed steps 1 & 2.

    • +1

      Never surrender!

      (Have already apologies for how long it's taking me. May need to provide danish pastries at home to seek forgiveness if I really can't find something decent).

      • So you also looking for a bargain on danish pastries?

        • +1

          I mean, isn't everyone? :)

  • +1

    For the peace of mind you seek I would be using a travel agent

    • A travel agent is something I never would have considered using myself, but you're right, it may be an option here. Do they add super big fees on top though, for their 'help', if you ask them to price match?

    • +2

      It is a very simple itinerary, I don't see the point in using an agent. The issues of not being able to deal directly with the airline (for seats, cancellations, refunds, etc) way outweighs the small amount convenience they might offer (for their fee).

      • That's what I was worried about with an agent, it's going to be me doing any ticket swaps/being point of contact with the itinerary, so I would like to be able to deal direct if needed.

        So it's a balance between paying for the peace of mind of direct dealing with an airline and trying to knock them down a bit on price. Never thought I would have to book peak time tickets, so I'm struggling to find the loopholes.

  • take your price from gotogate

    Gotogate / Gotogate Pty Ltd, Level 2, Riverside Quay 1 Southbank Boulevard, Melbourne VIC 3006, Australia
    © 2022 Gotogate. All Rights Reserved

    and try price match with flight centre (a little more well known).

    • Thanks, that's a good idea. I had completely disregarded flight center because of all the covid scandal, but I will look into it.

  • I reckon post exact dates/routes and let Team OZB go to work.

    • Really? I didn't want to seem demanding (like, hey guys can you totally do all the work for me) but if anyone is honestly up for the challenge, please absolutely go for it!

      Departing Melbourne to Vienna: 25th / 26th or 27th June. Please not the 5am flight that is on offer, as I called last night to see if that was okay and apparently it's not (sigh).

      Returning Amsterdam to Melbourne 13th/14th July (possibly can stretch even one day outside of that either side)

      Thanks to anyone who takes it up :)

      • How many stops? Can get scoot to Germany cheaply :P

        • For me, as many stops as I can cheaply go…

          For the senior citizen I'm booking for, sadly 1 stop is all they can manage.

      • -1

        Demanding much? 🙂

        • +2

          Oh go on, bring me a cup of tea too, and my slippers and walk the dog while you're booking my flights :)

          (but in all seriousness, I am very grateful for help and a sounding board for advice)

      • Tough one. I can't see you getting lower than high $2k and still satisfy the criteria.

        • I'd be thrilled with 2k. Can't seem to get it under 3k!

      • Your options really are fairly limited given the narrow range of dates + specific destinations + one stop requirement!

        Best I could see is this one with Emirates for just under $2600:
        https://flights.booking.com/flights/MEL-VIE?type=ROUNDTRIP&f…

        booking.com should be pretty reputable but as always, have a read through the T&Cs to make sure you're comfortable. I wouldn't be surprised if they charged fees for cancellation or changing flights on top of what the airlines may/may not charge.

        Edit: this is the 5am flight that they didn't want. Ignore me then!

        • Ah, still good though, hadn't considered booking.com. Definitely a step up from gotogate in my opinion. So that's another avenue to explore (or sink desperate hours into haha)

          Emirates around 2600 would be absolutely doable if I can manage to get it either through the airline or via a reputable booker…

          Thank you for your help too!!

  • Does the trick still work to use expedia and book both hotel and flight, with the hotel just one night?
    Used to get a few hundred off the flight, then just no-show at the hotel.

    • Never heard of this trick, but going to check it out :) Will report back!

    • So I gave it a go, but searching for packages didn't shave much off the price. Maybe I'm doing the 'trick' wrong? But I think Expedia knows I'm trying to book peak season and is not giving me much to work with :)

  • If the travel dates are not adjustable then I don't believe there is any magic.

    The magic comes from 3rd party sites is either to make cheap tickets easier to find, or to combine cheap tickets from multiple sources that are too hard to figure out yourself.

    • The magic….I know exactly what you mean, and absolutely doing my best to try and get some compromises to work on price.
      I'm not expecting super cheap, or even 'cheap'. Just not totally over the top overpriced and exorbitant.

  • +1

    As mentioned before there are ones around 2600.
    LINK

    I usually get the fare construction that it spits out and then call up a travel agent (not that there are many in business now) and they match it - or for the one I've booked with often previously, they come in a couple $ cheaper as they're happy to work on a 7% margin). Have done the same through flight centre and had it honoured, you just need to go through the process of saying the dates and airports getting them to quote you and then asking them to beat it with the above.

    This was pre-COVID but hope it helps.

    • Thank you for that link - I must have been using the new matrix website, as I didn't seem to have the currency options. This old one was much more familiar.
      I'm keen on the A$2,588.22 qantas flight that leaves in the evening - so far that's the cheapest and safest option.

      I'm happy to spend the time copying every flight number and cross referencing with the agent - is flight center really the best one to go to? Or is there another agency that is less notoriously cultish difficult to deal with if problems come up?

      • yeah I hear you there, i still have some flight credits waiting to be refunded.
        TBH my best has been the local travel agent in Sydney which is where I go 9/10 times. Hopefully if you can find one there in Melb with good ratings, they'll do the same.

        • Thanks - local is usually better. Going to jump on google and check out some reviews. Sorry to hear you're still waiting, that's just unacceptable, isn't it. Honestly, the hoops they have made people jump through…

  • +2

    If not already doing,

    Always use Incognito mode in the browser so the search sites do not place browser cookies on your machine, otherwise you will see a price bump for the same flights in a day or two.

    • Yes, I remembered that about half way through my first search. Another case of skills gone rusty!

  • Bloody Australian airlines

    Cheaper to fly overseas than domestic across the country

  • What about travelling to nearby hub like Singapore and KL or BKK and then choose suitable direct or almost direct business class flight to Vienna. Finnair, Thai, Singapore airlines, Malaysia. Worth checking out.
    Itamatrix old version is good then Google flights.

  • Try https://www.momondo.com.au to have a look.
    When I want to go to Vienna I have found that it is much cheaper to fly to Munich and then use a cheap train fare to go to Vienna.
    Another one: https://www.iwantthatflight.com.au or https://www.skyscanner.com.au

  • Vienna

    danish pastries

    Maybe get someone else to double check your itinerary before you commit :-)

    • Do you know what the word for danish pastries is in Denmark?

      Vienna bread ;)

      • I did not know! Thank you, I've learnt something! :-)

  • Added an update - any last suggestions before I sell my kidneys to help fund this flight?

Login or Join to leave a comment