Or is it New Zealand Air?

Anyway I heard on the car radio they are having a special fare from the westcoast of the US to NewZealand with a stopover permitted in Fiji for $1,l00.00 US.

Do not know any other details, but the fare sounded good to me. But I have not had the pleasure to fly to NZ so I really do not know.

But wanted to post this in case anyone is interested.

that would be nice for a stopover in fiji.

If anyone is interested in fares to Sydney or Auckland from LAX, Qantas is having a sale until tomorrow (after which I am sure they will have another sale!). $757 from LAX to either city. With tax, Sydney comes out to $871 while Auckland comes out to $808. Travel through May 31.

Both flights are nonstop.

Crazymina, that is a much better fare price for sure!
I wasn't sure if the $1.100.00 was good or not but just wanted to post it - just in case.

Do have a beautiful, wonderful and crazy time in OZ. Lucky you!

Thanks LoveItaly!

I actually don't know what good fares are to NZ either. I just booked my flight to Oz and noticed that same special for NZ. Normally I am happy if I get anything for around 1000 (including taxes) so I consider that a good fare.

Of course, depends on the season. 2 Christmases ago, I was very lucky to get a fare of 1400 to Australia...all other fares were almost 2000. However, in the summer (U.S.), it's pretty common to find good deals to Australia and probably NZ since it's their winter. I remember seeing one on Air New Zealand for $499, round trip, plus taxes. I had never (and have not since) seen a fare that low.

crazymina, that is interesting.

If you read the thread regarding Dottie and Ted - I posted about my father being born in Wellington NZ but raised in Australia. Although I have not been to either country I feel like I know them, especially Australia.

Dottie posted to me, they are in Wellington, and my head has been spinning so to speak all day about flying there. I thought it was strange that I heard the Air NZ ad on our local radio station, the first time I ever had.

Was that trying to tell me something, LOL.

Well I can't go right this moment but I am sure thinking about it, too much to tell you the truth.

And BTW, I will be interested about those meatpies with mashed peas at Harry's in OZ. A fun read. You will have to post a report.

Crazymina, I remember seeing that $499 fare and wanting so badly to go! Of course, we couldn't at the time, although now it would be easier ... I'm amazed that you can get to NZ and Oz for nearly the same prices we paid on our trip down under in 1980! We paid $900 RT and traveled to NZ and Australia and back. Considering it's only another few hundred dollars more than over 20 years ago, not a bad deal. I'm on the lookout for fares down under in approx November, but nothing good showing up yet.

LoveItaly, you should definitely go! I have not yet been to NZ, but it's on my list of things I absolutely must do. It would be neat for you to finally see both places that your father is from.

inthechips, hopefully fares will open up in fall for Nov. I was looking in 2003 for a good fare for Dec. It ended up being very difficult because of the holidays, but I remember specifically there were good fare sales for Nov, expiring on the 30th. Most likely Qantas or ANZ will throw one (but don't hold me to it!)

Thanks crazymina, I agree with you, it has been all I have been thinking of, especially after Dottie's post and then the radio ad.

Dear one, do have a fabulous time in OZ, I will so look forward to your trip report. Wish I could describe a trip as beautifully as you do. Happy travels!

LOveItaly...DO go to NZ!!! I definately think you've had a 'sign'!!
Dot and Ted will show you a really good time in Wellington and the rest of NZ is spectacular too. Put it high up on your wish list!

Crazymina, do you remember WHEN in 2003 those November fares opened up?

inthechips, I recall it was actually pretty late in the year. I think it said something like "spend thanksgiving in Australia." I thought...they don't have thanksgiving in Australia! (Or at least not our version of it).

I remember seeing it early November, but it may have opened up in October.

Thanks for the tip crazymina. We are waiting to hear if our daughter has been accepted to Deakin University in Melbourne for a semester of study. Once we know, it may just be that we book something (so we can visit with her at the end of the semester before her return home). We will have a lot of flexibility on dates though, so that will make it easier to get a deal (if there are any to be had!) I do notice that both Air NZ and Qantas have new specials nearly every time I check the website.

yeah, the fares just keep changing and some sales are better than others. For instance, now the webfare from LAX is 951, with tax it is 1072. This fare "expires" March 14. But I'd be willing to bet a better sale is around the corner. The previous sale was 871 for the same routing.

So just keep track of the expiration dates for the current fare sales on Qantas. Probably after it is over, another sale will come up. It's just a matter of finding the right one. Being flexible on dates helps tremendously. The cheapest fares have limited departure and return. Since I am going for a month in the Australian Winter, and am totally flexible, I am hoping for one of those fares for less than $700 round trip. Crossing my fingers.....

I am sure you will find something. Just keep checking. And you will most likely not find a great special until closer to the date of your departure. So you have decide I guess whether to take that gamble, or may a couple hundreds more for a decent, but not stellar fare.

Hello Kodi, thanks for your encourgement, I just saw your post.

Wasn't it strange, the radio advertisement as I was driving and dreaming of NZ?

I cannot make any plans right now but oh Kodi NZ is sure floating around in my head.

And OZ too, but the two countries are so far from each other (although a lot of American don't get that, LOL) I don't know if both NZ and OZ would be possible.

I love this Australia/Pacific Board. It is not only informative but it is fun.

Cheers to all!

Well crazymina, we do know our daughter will be headed to Oz. So now I am wondering about your opinion - while there is some flexibility on actual travel dates, we need to travel between early/mid November to early December. I found a $1300 RT on Qantas from LAX to Sydney which would work for us - is that too high? That is high season downunder, so I wonder what you think. You mentioned waiting til October or so, but I think I'd go nuts worrying about getting there if I waited that long.