Could a kind and savvy OzBargainer please tell me how to get the best airfares (2) for my wife & I who are planning a month long trip to London (from Sydney) commencing in late September?
Most of the Travel web-sites offer upwards of $ 1650 on reputable carriers such as Qantas, Virgin, Etihad etc.
The Chinese carriers are about $ 100 - $ 150 cheaper.
Appreciate all help and suggestions.
just make sure you're 100% certain on your travel dates and passports/visa are obtained well in advance. Cheap tickets come with heavy fees if there's a change of plan.
Some recent ozbargain finds:
KLM: Sydney -> Amsterdam Return for Only $1372
http://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/98269
MEL/SYD to Europe - Circa $1000 Return
http://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/97476
If I was flying in Y class, I'd rather book with KLM. Codeshare is with Etihad, and both it, and KLM are good airline. You can then take an easyjet,Ryanair, BA or w/e other flight you choose to London. I'd rather pay more to ensure I don't have to chase missing bags, missed connections and stop at 4-5 times before getting to London, rather than go with the budget carrier option. But each to their own.
Thanks for your help.
I just made a booking via the Expedia Brasil web-site & to fly Qantas (though Emirates will be operating the flights) in end Sept, returning in end Oct.
Unpleasant sticker shock - the trip cost me over $ 1580 each. The sting in the tail was the conversion rate of the Brazilian Real to the Aussie Dollar.
DON'T GET TAKEN IN BY THE EXCHANGE RATE YOU FIND COMING UP ON GOOGLE!
Anyway, the way I rationalise this is that I paid around $ 130 more per person = $ 260 more in all, than what the google conversion rate of the Brazilian Real was showing up as.
For this price ($ 1580 each) one can buy the Chinese carriers but their flights are much longer and of course they are not yet as reputable as Emirates or QF.
Disappointed but relieved that I do have firm bookings on a good airline at a reasonable (though NOT bargain) price.
The exchange rate is determined by the issuer of the credit card and not by idicative rates on google. Some credit cards convert minor currencies such as BRL to USD before converting to AUD, and may charge a further fee on top.
DON'T GET TAKEN IN BY THE EXCHANGE RATE YOU FIND COMING UP ON GOOGLE!
Anyway, the way I rationalise this is that I paid around $ 130 more per person = $ 260 more in all, than what the google conversion rate of the Brazilian Real was showing up as.
For this price ($ 1580 each) one can buy the Chinese carriers but their flights are much longer and of course they are not yet as reputable as Emirates or QF.
Take this simple OZbargain advice.
Get the following cards otherwise this experience you have had will replicate itself throughout your trip.
Search this website for details, all will save you big costs in exchange rates, you have been stung by the bankcard you have used. Where fees can be as high as $5 per transaction (even $2 transactions with add this $5 fee) and also the exchnage rate conversions which can add another 3 or so percent.
And all of these will replicate themselves on your trip with each transaction you make.
Read the threads here and SAVE.
And frankly the costs associated with a 40 hr flight vs a 24hr flight is in itself a bargain you have saved.
I'm a travel agent and can help you :) PM me the details and ill give you my work email and i can help you find the best deal and book it in :)
Check out expedia.com.br (use google crome so it translates) qantas on 26/9 to 24/10 for example is $2801 for both. I think you will find the chinese flights are usually 40 hours compared to 23 hour on Qantas. I have never used this site but plenty people on here have.