[Mike & Nicola]

Looking at booking flights way in advance for Jan 06 in the hope of getting a good deal. Am looking for one-way tickets for 2 adults only. Saw some for around £350ish for the start of Dec, but most Jan flights seem to have another £100 on top of that.

We're planning on taking a few days/to a week off as a stopover. Never thought about going "west-wards" before, but the call of Hawaii is getting loader! Anyone done this trip, and how much more would it cost. We're planning on a trip to our local STA Travel, and of course we'll ring up some of the Online Travel Agents, but the horses mouth is always best.

Long shot I know, but worth a shout.

Cheers

Mike.

[sarahw]

Hi Mike & Nicola,

January is usually 'high' season as its school summer holidays so prices are pretty steep - we paid around £500ish each when we came over one-way on Air-NZ in January but then we did leave it until the last minute!

Sorry haven't done the Hawaii route so can't offer any comments on that...

[Miffy]

the quotes we have been getting going eastwards verses westwards are coming out pretty much of a muchness.
Both include a stop over for a week on a beach but don't include the actual cost of the stopover.

The good thing about going westards via America is that you get loads and I mean loads more extra luggage allowance. sometimes its almost double espically flying with Air NZ. (one down fall is that not all flights have seat back telly on Air NZ they are being phased in over the next few months). It defo worth checking the luggage allowance when investigating the quotes, as well as what stopovers are available.

[Glenda]

Hi,

For flying out next January go first to a travel agents. The reason is that they buy (or know a firm that buys) flights in bulk about eleven months in advance. As such, they are much much cheaper than that found otherwise. You will have to be quick though as these flights really go fast.

:hopeso

[catjlin]

And from the US?

We have started looking for flights the first week of June and the rates are all over the place, from US$998 to US$3300.

Any of you here in the US, should we jump on the $998 or wait 'til it comes down again? Last year I saw it as low as $798 from LAX.

Cat

[Radders]

June, July will be a problem this year due to the lions tour, don't expect to get a low price for that time.

[Mike & Nicola]

Catjlin, those prices seem pretty expensive (and comparable to the UK) considering you are a lot closer to NZ than us.

Glenda, think we'll do that at the weekend, if all else fails, it'll be nice to tell (brag to) the travel agents about our plans!

The last minute price you got Sarah seems to be similar to the "book in advance" quotes we're getting at the moment.

We'll keep you all posted.

Cheers,

Mike

[cloudboy99]

The depressing thing is, at least from the US, that the cost of the ticket is the same if not more for one-way as opposed to round trip.

[mcec]

Try Air New Zealand, but thru a booking office not the internet, 0800 028 4149 may be able to assist. They do 'special' immigration offers, approx £325 + tax £70 per adult, this for Wellington so includes an internal flight. They now do either Auckland or Christchurch and then internal, have been told Ch'ch is better as no walk between terminals as with Auckland, but Ack does have a bus between. They give 2 items of luggage @32Kg each per adult as well, believe this is normal for them, but older style planes. This is for later April'05 thru to start of peak Summer holidays. Also extra luggage @£150 from Uk thru NZ

[Mike & Nicola]

Thanks for all your suggestions.

We have finally booked our flights!!!! We used Travelbag (who were incredibly helpful) and for £580 we have ourselves a flight from Heathrow to Auckland on 29th December, stopping off in Honolulu for 8 nights!!!

We are SOOOOO excited!!!! :cheers :cool :P

Mike & Nic

[mcec]

I have just booked our family tickets, thru NZ office in NZ House, Heathrow to Wellington.
2 adults @ £325 + 70.70 Tax
1 child @ £244 + 70.70 Tax
1 infant @ £33 + 36.2 Tax
Could upgrade to premier @ £440 per seat, so x3, for the LA to NZ leg

But with a 3 week stay in California, they have offered 1 night 4 points LAX for £44 per room.
They also offered 1 way insurance at £42 per person over 2yrs, but found better family 1 way at either £69 or £90, cover dependant.

This is all for leaving on 19th April 2005.