kodi

DOes any one have any ideas or web sites to use in finding good fares to Auckland from Toronto? Or even from New York or Boston? If the price is right, I don't mind flying to an American city.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

heretoday

Many travel agents specialize in less expensive fares via consolidators. Call a few in your area and see if they know of anybody.

RachelG

I don't know what your time frame is, but Qantas is running a bunch of special fares right now--go to Travelocity to check it out.

kodi

Thanks very much for the suggestions. I don't really think we have consolidators here in Canada like you do in the US and other countries. I was thinking more of charter companies that I didn't know about or round a bout ways of getting there that might be cheaper. Like Air INdia out of Buffalo, or something I'd never think of checking.
I will check Quantas.

rjw_lgb_ca

The consolidator tip is a good one-- that is, using services like Travelocity or Orbitz (I'm sure they have Canadian websites).

Other than that, how about cobbling together an itinerary pricing two legs each way:

-- Round trip Toronto to a WEST coast US city (SFO or LAX)
-- Round trip West Coast city to Auckland (I would think the airlines would have deals flying out of SFO or LAX)

A possibility....

rkkwan

Check the travel page of your local newspapers. Globe & Mail, Toronto Sun, etc... You'll find consolidators or other "airfare specialists" in your area.

kodi

Thanks to both of you for the additional advice. Rjw, that's the sort of advice I was looking for , thinking there may be obscure routes. Rkkwan, I'll start checking the papers faithfully, hoping for a good fare.
Thanks again.

rjw_lgb_ca

I was curious and checked on Travelocity for October departures. Flying Los Angeles (LAX) to Auckland (AKL), the cheapest carrier was Korean Air (changing planes in Seoul)-- at something like $1600 US. Round trip flights Toronto to LAX are running around $250 US. This is not a cheap destination, seemingly....

rkkwan

When are you going? Qantas' fare for late July to August are all about US$1,050, which is not really that bad. Various US airlines to LAX, then QF to AKC.

kodi

Thanks so very much to both of you again. The Korean Airlines option was the sort of thing I was looking for. We aren't going til next January, which is peak season. But I'd rather start watching for fares now than miss something good. I'm sure we will have to pay a hefty price for that time of year. But I'll follow your advice and perhaps get lucky.

rkkwan

The published fares that airlines have put on reservation systems for Jan travel is very expensive right now, around US$2,000. That's a high-season for travel to Australia/New Zealand, so the airlines are not putting out cheap fares, at least for now. So, you may want to either way a little as well. Most consolidators or that sort which I've worked with don't get the cheap fares until later (probably around Sept for Januaury travel), so right now, they probably can't help you right now either, but do try.

And always on the lookout for cheap fares. Signup onto some travel website's "low fare alert", like from Travelocity, Expedia, etc. And book immediately if you find a good fare.

rkkwan

Sorry, I mean you probably should wait a little for now.

kodi

Thanks rkkwan. I'll keep my eyes open but not really expect good fares yet. I'll be ready to "jump" when I do see a good one!
I appreciate your help.

Christa

The cheapest flights from Auckland to Los Angeles are with Air Tahiti Nui at the moment. They partner up with Vigin to go further afield ( New York, Chicago etc) but I don't think they do Toronto.

They do one stop at Tahiti enroute.

Failing that there is a good service via Honolulu with Air New Zealand/Air Canada. Slightly more expensive than Air Tahiti though.

Of course I am assuming that the airfares from North America - New Zealand are comparable to the New Zealand - North America fares, this may not necessarily be the case.

kodi

Christa, Thank you so much. I appreciate it. I have not heard of Air Tahiti Nui, so this gives me another option to check. Stopping at Tahiti would be a bonus too!!

heretoday

The least expensive I've seen from LAX is 635.00 plus tax. My agent says Qantas and ANZ don't have their fares for January loaded yet. Maybe by the end of this month. Good Luck.

kodi

Heretoday, Wow!!! That seems like a good fare!! But I will hold off til the airlines post their January rates.
Thanks very much for the information.
I now go to sleep with flights and fares roaming around in my head!!