Sorry Sue,No sense in it now as TA will not assist shoppers anymore without a fee. You can pay less by doing the work on your own. Taking on no new customers for the time being. Says if anyone knows good consolidators the people who post here should. Try priceline like other poster did and offer what you feel is a fair price. Going to work now.

Just as I expected... the "consolidator" just couldn't seem to materialize. Why is it that people feel the need to post stories of cheap tickets that only they could get? Sue was asking for reality not a once in a lifetime ticket price, not an imaginary ticket price, not a ticket price from 1979! Sue, I'd ignore the ridiculous numbers and just try your best to get a ticket for under $1000.00. Good luck and have a great vacation!

Good deals can be had thru consolidators. But you have to be lucky and fast to get one. There's an agency I used in Portland OR that got me one called Eastern Air. I traveled from Raleigh Durham for 850.00. The problem is fares don't seem to last and if you are always looking for a better deal, they are gone before you make up your mind. I found them by surfing just like the rest of you. Just don't end up by going via Malaysia or something. Good Luck

I have a fare to Sydney from Chicago on 9 May for 1034.00 I am happy with that. Anything less seems a dream.

it is amazing to me that some people post their fabulous fares but fail to say how or where they got them. I have been unable to get a fare from the midwest for less than $1280 and have been at it for some days now. I have to say I did find one fare for $1130 but it had too many connections. So I guess I will just have to pay the extra. I tried . Thanks to those who have tried to help me. btw Jeremy I called your agent and he could not offer me anything under $1300!!! Quantas flyer - Wuantas told me their round the world tickets start at over $3000.!

Sue- My best advice is to go on expedia & travelocity every day, and especially late at night. You will be amazed how the fares change from week to week and even hour to hour. if you keep doing it, you will at some point find a fare you like, (or like what you find). <BR>Good luck

it probably it $3,000 if bought in the USA but they start here at $2,300AU which is $1,100 US approx. You would either be better to buy them through an Agent in Australia or through the Australian site.

just a quick note to say that Air New Zealand just emailed me (i am on their list for specials) and they are toting a $799 from l.a. r/t to aussieland. i believe it is time constricted, but if you are going within their specified time, that is a wonderful price

Thanks for all the help. I finally bought a quantas ticket la to sydney which was 899 exl tax. Air new zealand did not have a direct flight back to the states the day I needed to return. Did not buy the Quantas add on from the midwest as the fare was $400. Managed to get a direct domestic return for $280.