I'll be flying to NY in April 2020 and returning from Rome in May. As it's too early to book yet I'd like to be prepared in case of surprise sales? I'm Gold Coast based and would appreciate advice on 1. Which airline/s would be best (probably economy but maybe premium econ)? 2. When is likely the best time of the year to get the best deal? 3. Are there advantages to going via SYD rather than out of BNE?
There aren't much sales per say for one-way fares, but I suggest looking at Brisbane or Sydney to LA one-way as they often go for $450 one-way. Usually prices are similar between the 2 cities and departing from Brisbane saves you from getting on a flight to Sydney. Both Qantas and Virgin Offer competitive prices but I find Virgin has the lower prices around 80% of the time.
When returning from Rome, there are a few options. You can transit at multiple cities including Singapore, Dubai or Abu Dhabi depending on the airline. Emirates runs sales occasionally and so do Qantas on flights to and from Europe. Anything under $900 I consider to be a good deal.
I would recommend looking into booking a multi-city booking or even a round the world booking to see if that would be cheaper than buying 2 separate one-way tickets. This is a good opportunity to use your points if you are aiming to travel in premium cabins.
Probably go multi city with qantas/AA but you can check the others such as delta or United if you are desperate, and going from Brisbane will have more sale fares than Sydney for sure. Do some checks on the qantas and other airlines sites to see what’s on offer at what time and for what price Also use the call centre for advice they won’t charge for the call until you buy a ticket. I tend to do these things sooner rather than later except when say a double status bonus may be coming soon.
On the way back, make sure you look at the prices of two separate tickets, eg Rome to KL, Bangkok or Singapore, then KL or Singapore to Brisbane. It might work out cheaper than a ticket all the way through to Australia, or alternatively let you fly better airlines for the same price. I've seen one way tickets on carriers like Singapore from Europe to SE Asia in the $400s.
I live on the GC myself, so let me answer your last question first. To go via SYD or BNE? Default to BNE, but check SYD. I've seen QF have cheaper options via SYD inc the BNE to SYD leg. But not so much cheaper it's that it's worthwhile. You have to consider the extra flight time. Not only the BNE - SYD leg, but we save 30 - 60mins to the US flying from BNE. Plus it's another leg so another potential issue.
Probably the easiest option is to go with Cathay to NYC and then back from Rome, both via HKG. Stop over in HKG is an option too.
Or checkout the Virgin Group. VA (and DL) to JFK via LAX. Then Virgin Atlantic and Virgin Australia from LHR to BNE (either via HKG or LAX), just get an Alitalia flight from Rome to LHR (assuming they're still flying in 2020). Also, with this option, you could fly JFK to LHR as I don't know how you're getting from NYC to Rome.
As for prices, they're really random now days. Just work out your best routes and airlines then search across them, especially if you want to go one world... look via all the oneworld airlines. You can find airfares to Europe (outside peak) for around $1100 rtn. Just as an FYI - I got 2 x adults and 2 x kids (4 seats total) in April school holidays this year, BNE to LHR return via LAX with VA and VS for $4,310 in economy. That's with a stop over each way. If we dropped the stop over it was under $4k. Yes... that cheap. Good luck!
I live on the GC myself, so let me answer your last question first. To go via SYD or BNE? Default to BNE, but check SYD. I've seen QF have cheaper options via SYD inc the BNE to SYD leg. But not so much cheaper it's that it's worthwhile. You have to consider the extra flight time. Not only the BNE - SYD leg, but we save 30 - 60mins to the US flying from BNE. Plus it's another leg so another potential issue.
Probably the easiest option is to go with Cathay to NYC and then back from Rome, both via HKG. Stop over in HKG is an option too.
Or checkout the Virgin Group. VA (and DL) to JFK via LAX. Then Virgin Atlantic and Virgin Australia from LHR to BNE (either via HKG or LAX), just get an Alitalia flight from Rome to LHR (assuming they're still flying in 2020). Also, with this option, you could fly JFK to LHR as I don't know how you're getting from NYC to Rome.
As for prices, they're really random now days. Just work out your best routes and airlines then search across them, especially if you want to go one world... look via all the oneworld airlines. You can find airfares to Europe (outside peak) for around $1100 rtn. Just as an FYI - I got 2 x adults and 2 x kids (4 seats total) in April school holidays this year, BNE to LHR return via LAX with VA and VS for $4,310 in economy. That's with a stop over each way. If we dropped the stop over it was under $4k. Yes... that cheap. Good luck!
Jazzop - can I ask how you booked those amazing flights? I have been trying something similar and both virgin atlantic and virgin australia websites won't let me. Should I call, or maybe even use a TA?
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Flying to New York and return from Rome
gotogate
gotogate
KLM - Flying Blue
Member since 26 Mar 2015
Total posts 5
I'll be flying to NY in April 2020 and returning from Rome in May. As it's too early to book yet I'd like to be prepared in case of surprise sales? I'm Gold Coast based and would appreciate advice on 1. Which airline/s would be best (probably economy but maybe premium econ)? 2. When is likely the best time of the year to get the best deal? 3. Are there advantages to going via SYD rather than out of BNE?
djtech
djtech
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 02 Sep 2018
Total posts 375
patrickk
patrickk
Qantas
Member since 19 Apr 2012
Total posts 737
Probably go multi city with qantas/AA but you can check the others such as delta or United if you are desperate, and going from Brisbane will have more sale fares than Sydney for sure. Do some checks on the qantas and other airlines sites to see what’s on offer at what time and for what price Also use the call centre for advice they won’t charge for the call until you buy a ticket. I tend to do these things sooner rather than later except when say a double status bonus may be coming soon.
tasmarshall
tasmarshall
Member since 18 Sep 2013
Total posts 1
On the way back, make sure you look at the prices of two separate tickets, eg Rome to KL, Bangkok or Singapore, then KL or Singapore to Brisbane. It might work out cheaper than a ticket all the way through to Australia, or alternatively let you fly better airlines for the same price. I've seen one way tickets on carriers like Singapore from Europe to SE Asia in the $400s.
Jazzop
Jazzop
Member since 02 Dec 2016
Total posts 124
KJR
KJR
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 14 Sep 2018
Total posts 9
Jazzop - can I ask how you booked those amazing flights? I have been trying something similar and both virgin atlantic and virgin australia websites won't let me. Should I call, or maybe even use a TA?