Flight prices from US to NZ
Mar 29th, 2005, 04:41 PM
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Flight prices from US to NZ
We've found some round trip tickets from the United States (New York City) to Auckland, New Zealand for around $1500 USD. Is that a reasonable deal? Any suggestions on ways to find better fares?
We've heard that some people purchase flights to Los Angeles in the US separately from their international flight from LA to New Zealand to save some money. I'd wonder if this could be dangerous, though, if your intercontinental flight is late and makes it difficult to catch your internationl flight. What is your perspective on this?
Thanks in advance!
We've heard that some people purchase flights to Los Angeles in the US separately from their international flight from LA to New Zealand to save some money. I'd wonder if this could be dangerous, though, if your intercontinental flight is late and makes it difficult to catch your internationl flight. What is your perspective on this?
Thanks in advance!
Mar 29th, 2005, 05:29 PM
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Hello melodyc, I live near SF. I have never been to NZ so I envy you with your trip. A grandson just returned from their a few months ago and is still raving about it.
Now about your tickets. Although I owned an insurance agency for years after I sold it I did marketing for an airline for one year and then worked as a TA for another year (that was not a fun job).
Here is my thinking for what it is work.
We all like to save money as much as possible but I strongly suggest that you have a ticket that takes you from NYC to Auckland. I would never consider buying a ticket from NYC to LAX and another separate ticket from LAX to Auckland with a change of planes in LAX within the same day.
You are absolutely correct. This could turn out to be a nightmare if your NYC flight did not arrive in LAX in time for you to transfere to the other airline for your flight from LAX you would lose that ticket and would have to repurchase at a last minute ticket price.
Last year on Fodors there was a lady that purchased a JetBlue ticket from the westcoast to JFK and had a separate ticket for the flight from JFK to Europe. The JFK flight was late due to weather conditions. The airline that she was to fly on to Europe (BTW there were six of them I believe) shrugged their shoulders and said in essence "sorry, you did not check in with us on time". I felt so bad for her.
The only way I would consider two tickets would be to fly into LAX the day BEFORE you need to catch your flight from LAX to NewZealand. Their are lots of hotels at LAX. You could debate the cost of the straight through ticket versus the price of two tickets plus the hotel room, dinner and what have you. I should think that would be a safe way to approach it. And going along with that thought it would give you a break regarding the long flight.
So that is my thinking. That and my wishes for you to have a beautiful time in NZ. I am sure you will.
Now about your tickets. Although I owned an insurance agency for years after I sold it I did marketing for an airline for one year and then worked as a TA for another year (that was not a fun job).
Here is my thinking for what it is work.
We all like to save money as much as possible but I strongly suggest that you have a ticket that takes you from NYC to Auckland. I would never consider buying a ticket from NYC to LAX and another separate ticket from LAX to Auckland with a change of planes in LAX within the same day.
You are absolutely correct. This could turn out to be a nightmare if your NYC flight did not arrive in LAX in time for you to transfere to the other airline for your flight from LAX you would lose that ticket and would have to repurchase at a last minute ticket price.
Last year on Fodors there was a lady that purchased a JetBlue ticket from the westcoast to JFK and had a separate ticket for the flight from JFK to Europe. The JFK flight was late due to weather conditions. The airline that she was to fly on to Europe (BTW there were six of them I believe) shrugged their shoulders and said in essence "sorry, you did not check in with us on time". I felt so bad for her.
The only way I would consider two tickets would be to fly into LAX the day BEFORE you need to catch your flight from LAX to NewZealand. Their are lots of hotels at LAX. You could debate the cost of the straight through ticket versus the price of two tickets plus the hotel room, dinner and what have you. I should think that would be a safe way to approach it. And going along with that thought it would give you a break regarding the long flight.
So that is my thinking. That and my wishes for you to have a beautiful time in NZ. I am sure you will.
Mar 30th, 2005, 06:51 AM
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From NYC to new Zealand it would normaly be via West Coast but worth check on the new Eastbound non stops. Singapore Airlines flies non stop to Singapore and has a large number of flightd down from there, they can fly you into Auckland 'or' Christchurch and you can return from either one within the fare. Thai also about to start a non stop JFK to Bangkok and Thai can then fly you onwards to AKL. Emirates have non stop from JFK to Dubai and then onwards to both Auckland and CHC ( Christchurch ).
Mar 30th, 2005, 08:55 AM
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Just got this in my email...
Air New Zealand JUST released an amazingly low fare to New Zealand, just making it into this week's Top 20(R). Fly for just $650 roundtrip to New Zealand, good for travel between May 1-June 27. Most people would expect to pay $1000 or more for a roundtrip ticket.
This special includes the following fares:
Los Angeles to Auckland or Christchurch ... $650*
San Francisco or Honolulu to Auckland ... $650*
San Francisco or Honolulu to Christchurch ... $799*
To get this deal, you must book by April 15.
Click here to book on Air New Zealand's website. Taxes, delivery and processing fees are additional.
The link to book is http://www.airnzdeals.com/usa/lwebn7...ex.asp?id=2022
Air New Zealand JUST released an amazingly low fare to New Zealand, just making it into this week's Top 20(R). Fly for just $650 roundtrip to New Zealand, good for travel between May 1-June 27. Most people would expect to pay $1000 or more for a roundtrip ticket.
This special includes the following fares:
Los Angeles to Auckland or Christchurch ... $650*
San Francisco or Honolulu to Auckland ... $650*
San Francisco or Honolulu to Christchurch ... $799*
To get this deal, you must book by April 15.
Click here to book on Air New Zealand's website. Taxes, delivery and processing fees are additional.
The link to book is http://www.airnzdeals.com/usa/lwebn7...ex.asp?id=2022
Mar 30th, 2005, 11:14 AM
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Hi Melody-
We did purchase our tickets from NYC to LAX and then from LAX to Auckland separately because it saved us $500, which made it worth it for us. I'm not terribly concerned as we took the later flight to NZ (11:30 pm) and therefore have a 4 hour layover. I asked the Air New Zealand representatives about it and they said just plan on giving yourself 2 hours and that people do this all the time. 2 hours wasn't enough comfort for me though! We leave a week from Friday, so I might be singing a different tune if we do have problems!
PS- our tickets were $1000 each on Air New Zealand and we got a deal on American to LAX for $220 each.
Best of luck!
We did purchase our tickets from NYC to LAX and then from LAX to Auckland separately because it saved us $500, which made it worth it for us. I'm not terribly concerned as we took the later flight to NZ (11:30 pm) and therefore have a 4 hour layover. I asked the Air New Zealand representatives about it and they said just plan on giving yourself 2 hours and that people do this all the time. 2 hours wasn't enough comfort for me though! We leave a week from Friday, so I might be singing a different tune if we do have problems!
PS- our tickets were $1000 each on Air New Zealand and we got a deal on American to LAX for $220 each.
Best of luck!
Mar 30th, 2005, 02:25 PM
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Melody -
What you don't indicate is when you plan to travel. When we traveled in their spring/summer - Nov thru Mar - fares were in this range.
I, however, flew to the coast from JFK on an award ticket... had to get rid of miles... then connecting onwards with a paid ticket. Big problem arose since we were traveling on Thanksgiving Day when the airline canceled some flights out of JFK to the coast. No problem, they could put me on a puddle-hopped, with two connections - no way. The idea of my bags having to change planes a few times before final destination didn't appeal to me. But the worst part was that they couldn't get me into SFO till 2-minutes before my OZ flight departed. The airline had no idea I was continuing onward. The award ticket and paid ticket weren't "linked." In the end I departing JFK at 12N with a 7-hours layover in SFO. My travel partner flying from Las Vegas also had his original flight to SFO cancelled and had to be booked on another flight. At least when I arrived, and he later, we both popped into the Club (neither of us being members) where, since it was the airline's cancellation, they gladly allowed us to stay.
In other words, yes, you can book two separate tickets, but as mentioned above, I'd give myself at minimum a long layover - 6+ hours; better yet, come in the day before. Take a late flight out of JFK, arrive west coast in the middle of the night, check into airport hotel, sleep late, have lunch, you can even head into town, then out to the airport for your departing flight.
What you don't indicate is when you plan to travel. When we traveled in their spring/summer - Nov thru Mar - fares were in this range.
I, however, flew to the coast from JFK on an award ticket... had to get rid of miles... then connecting onwards with a paid ticket. Big problem arose since we were traveling on Thanksgiving Day when the airline canceled some flights out of JFK to the coast. No problem, they could put me on a puddle-hopped, with two connections - no way. The idea of my bags having to change planes a few times before final destination didn't appeal to me. But the worst part was that they couldn't get me into SFO till 2-minutes before my OZ flight departed. The airline had no idea I was continuing onward. The award ticket and paid ticket weren't "linked." In the end I departing JFK at 12N with a 7-hours layover in SFO. My travel partner flying from Las Vegas also had his original flight to SFO cancelled and had to be booked on another flight. At least when I arrived, and he later, we both popped into the Club (neither of us being members) where, since it was the airline's cancellation, they gladly allowed us to stay.
In other words, yes, you can book two separate tickets, but as mentioned above, I'd give myself at minimum a long layover - 6+ hours; better yet, come in the day before. Take a late flight out of JFK, arrive west coast in the middle of the night, check into airport hotel, sleep late, have lunch, you can even head into town, then out to the airport for your departing flight.
Mar 30th, 2005, 05:25 PM
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Thanks for your input! We actually checked into that special and just booked our flights for our honeymoon in late June!
So instead of spending $1500 round trip, we are spending $700 to get from LA to Christchurch (way there) and from Auckland back to LA. We'll still need to get to LA (many many hours before the flight, possibly even the night before), but because of this deal, we will each be saving $500. More money to spend on our honeymoon.
So instead of spending $1500 round trip, we are spending $700 to get from LA to Christchurch (way there) and from Auckland back to LA. We'll still need to get to LA (many many hours before the flight, possibly even the night before), but because of this deal, we will each be saving $500. More money to spend on our honeymoon.
Mar 31st, 2005, 07:34 AM
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Hi again-
After reading these posts, I got nervous about our flights, so I wanted to pass along a bit of information that I learned, at least as it applies to American Airlines.
According to the woman I spoke with from American, they are "alliance" airlines with Air New Zealand, and we can therefore check our bags all the way through from JFK to Auckland. To do this, we need to check in at the international American desk when we arrive at JFK, not the domestic desk. This never would have occurred to me, so I wanted to share the information! While I normally would never check bags all the way through like this, I'm now nervous that 4 1/2 hour layover isn't enough and want to be sure we at least make the flight to NZ, even if our bags get delayed!
Thanks!
After reading these posts, I got nervous about our flights, so I wanted to pass along a bit of information that I learned, at least as it applies to American Airlines.
According to the woman I spoke with from American, they are "alliance" airlines with Air New Zealand, and we can therefore check our bags all the way through from JFK to Auckland. To do this, we need to check in at the international American desk when we arrive at JFK, not the domestic desk. This never would have occurred to me, so I wanted to share the information! While I normally would never check bags all the way through like this, I'm now nervous that 4 1/2 hour layover isn't enough and want to be sure we at least make the flight to NZ, even if our bags get delayed!
Thanks!
Mar 31st, 2005, 08:48 AM
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Qantas does this with American as well.
Last summer, after a 14 hour flight to Los Angeles and 2 hours in line at the American baggage security checkpoint, an attendant began to scold us because one of our bags was overweight for domestic travel. She then saw the BNE (Brisbane) tag and asked if we just came from Oz. We said yes and she explained to us that we didn't need to claim & recheck our bags - they would have done it for us with Qantas!
Last summer, after a 14 hour flight to Los Angeles and 2 hours in line at the American baggage security checkpoint, an attendant began to scold us because one of our bags was overweight for domestic travel. She then saw the BNE (Brisbane) tag and asked if we just came from Oz. We said yes and she explained to us that we didn't need to claim & recheck our bags - they would have done it for us with Qantas!
Apr 22nd, 2005, 04:03 PM
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We are about to do this - fly Seattle to LA on award tickets, then on to Sydney on Qantas. Alaska has told us they can check our bags all the way through to Sydney. Right now I'm planning on flying us in about 6 hours before our outgoing flight. And then flying us out of LA about 4 hours AFTER our flight comes back in. After reading this post, I'm wondering if we shouldn't get to LA the day before and stay in a cheap Priceline room, but our flight departs LAX at 10:30 p.m. so I figured flying in earlier that day would be fine.
Apr 22nd, 2005, 05:03 PM
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Hi Melody with a "Y",
I am so sorry I didn't see your post earlier....
But you've booked your flights now...I would have suggested flying into SFO and taking the direct flight to AKL. I just did this in November, and it cut out 5 hours of travel time for me (as well as avoiding the dreaded LAX). It was so wonderful I can't even describe it!
LoveItaly is absolutely correct. If you can, come in a day prior to your flight.
(btw LoveItaly..I had no idea you were so local to me <waving furiously from Menlo Park>. Also had no clue that you were a TA for a year (welcome to my world)
Even from the West Coast, it's a long flight. For clients from the East Coast I always suggest the day prior option. Currently I have 3 women travelling to NZ -- two are from NY; one from Atlanta. I can get the 2 girls from NY a hotel, with a shuttle to LAX for $84. How great is that? $41 a piece and they can relax by the pool, know that they can get to the airport in a timely fashion and make their flight with no worries!
Melissa: American is NOT an alliance partner with Air NZ. BAD agent who told you that! I think America WEST used to be (not sure if they still are), but moot point, as it's a different airline!
QANTAS is partners with Alaska, American, USAir (don't go with THAT one), and a bunch of smaller airlines primarily in Europe. Air NZ is partners with: United, NW...
IntheChips: you have lots and lots of time alloted for connections. However, every time you check a bag in it's a possibility you'll lose that bag.
I don't know what kind of packer you are, but I'd either carry-on the bag from SEA-LAX or check it, pick it up and then transfer from Domestic to International. (you've got lots of time).
Personally, I love Qantas, but annoyed that they make me check in my bag. Over the years I've become a Super Packer (for my tape, send $19.95 to P.O. Box 777....). I'm used to taking just a carry-on (the kind with wheels,but still able to fit in overhead). Not to brag (ok, I AM), for my last 3 week trip my bag weighed 24 lbs.
Every year I plan on teaching a course at the local community college --"Packing..Everything You Wanted To Know But Were Afraid to Ask" . But I never seem to have enuf time to do it!
Regards,
Melodie
Certified Aussie & Kiwi Specialist
I am so sorry I didn't see your post earlier....
But you've booked your flights now...I would have suggested flying into SFO and taking the direct flight to AKL. I just did this in November, and it cut out 5 hours of travel time for me (as well as avoiding the dreaded LAX). It was so wonderful I can't even describe it!
LoveItaly is absolutely correct. If you can, come in a day prior to your flight.
(btw LoveItaly..I had no idea you were so local to me <waving furiously from Menlo Park>. Also had no clue that you were a TA for a year (welcome to my world)
Even from the West Coast, it's a long flight. For clients from the East Coast I always suggest the day prior option. Currently I have 3 women travelling to NZ -- two are from NY; one from Atlanta. I can get the 2 girls from NY a hotel, with a shuttle to LAX for $84. How great is that? $41 a piece and they can relax by the pool, know that they can get to the airport in a timely fashion and make their flight with no worries!
Melissa: American is NOT an alliance partner with Air NZ. BAD agent who told you that! I think America WEST used to be (not sure if they still are), but moot point, as it's a different airline!
QANTAS is partners with Alaska, American, USAir (don't go with THAT one), and a bunch of smaller airlines primarily in Europe. Air NZ is partners with: United, NW...
IntheChips: you have lots and lots of time alloted for connections. However, every time you check a bag in it's a possibility you'll lose that bag.
I don't know what kind of packer you are, but I'd either carry-on the bag from SEA-LAX or check it, pick it up and then transfer from Domestic to International. (you've got lots of time).
Personally, I love Qantas, but annoyed that they make me check in my bag. Over the years I've become a Super Packer (for my tape, send $19.95 to P.O. Box 777....). I'm used to taking just a carry-on (the kind with wheels,but still able to fit in overhead). Not to brag (ok, I AM), for my last 3 week trip my bag weighed 24 lbs.
Every year I plan on teaching a course at the local community college --"Packing..Everything You Wanted To Know But Were Afraid to Ask" . But I never seem to have enuf time to do it!
Regards,
Melodie
Certified Aussie & Kiwi Specialist
Apr 22nd, 2005, 06:21 PM
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Hi Melodie, actually I'd be more worried about missing the flight than getting the bag, but I will take into consideration your suggestion to re-check it at LAX with Qantas. I am hoping that since we are flying down the west coast delays won't be too much of a problem but I figure flying in 6 hours early should cover us - do you agree?
Apr 22nd, 2005, 06:46 PM
#15
Re Matilda's suggestion as to flying into SFO vs LAX, if you read up to sandi's post, you will see a problem... The huge number of flights into SFO that are delayed or canceled due to weather and related congestion.
Unless I had 'linked' flights, or a free place to stay, I would Not Do IT!
Unless I had 'linked' flights, or a free place to stay, I would Not Do IT!
Apr 23rd, 2005, 04:29 AM
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IntheChips:
I figured you had no worries about missing your flight, so I concentrated on the bag -- yes, you have PLENTY of time to enjoy all the LAX offers!
If you have the inclination, you could drop into the "Encounter" restaurant which is directly across from the terminals. It's that "George Jetson" Groovy-looking building smack dab in the center of the airport. Fun to have a cocktail and watch the planes take off.
When I have extra time I usually just walk from the Domestic Terminal to International instead of taking the shuttle. I figure I'm going to be in the airport long enough and on a plane for awhile, so might as well get some exercise in beforehand!
Hope this is helpful!
Regards,
Melodie
Certified Aussie & Kiwi Specialist
I figured you had no worries about missing your flight, so I concentrated on the bag -- yes, you have PLENTY of time to enjoy all the LAX offers!
If you have the inclination, you could drop into the "Encounter" restaurant which is directly across from the terminals. It's that "George Jetson" Groovy-looking building smack dab in the center of the airport. Fun to have a cocktail and watch the planes take off.
When I have extra time I usually just walk from the Domestic Terminal to International instead of taking the shuttle. I figure I'm going to be in the airport long enough and on a plane for awhile, so might as well get some exercise in beforehand!
Hope this is helpful!
Regards,
Melodie
Certified Aussie & Kiwi Specialist
