HELP - Cheap Fares from Europe to American Contintent, then back to AUS - Mid/late Jan 2016

The Champagne Mile on 16/02/2015 - 08:54
Last edited 16/02/2015 - 11:10 by 1 other user

Hi all

I've made a bit of progress since my last post (https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/182347)

Instead of going budget to Europe return, my partner and I have decided to expand this trip to a pseudo 'round the world'.

First, we will use a substantial number of our QFF points to fly one way direct to LHR in first class on the A380. We amazingly managed to find two F classic awards on 26th December on the same plane, so very excited! (NB: we decided we might as well burn our FF points on an epic flying experience, as we have a 6 month old and expect another to be on the way in the next 2 years. Unlikely we'll be undertaking any future exotic trips for quite awhile…as they say, use 'em or lose 'em!)

We now need help organising the rest of the fares…
Next on the agenda, is a cheap flight from Europe to New York sometime in mid Jan. Fairly flexible with departure city. IcelandAir has some competitive flights around then, but would like to look into some other options. Anyone know of anything cheap?

Finally, we'll need to fly back to Aus (prefer Adelaide, but flight to Mel or Syd ok), from LAX, Dallas or New York somewhere from 22/1/16 - 1/2/16. Flights appear very expensive, and alas, no QFF award flights seem to be available for the time we're looking at.

Would really appreciate any tips / tricks for cheap routes and fares. Thanks for your help! Cheers.

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  inherentchoice on 16/02/2015 - 10:43

  +2

  Using SkyScanner you can search for a whole month for all flights to/from a whole country.

  http://www.skyscanner.com.au/transport/flights/lond/nyca/che…

  So that search suggests $350 AUD will buy you a ticket from London to New York on January 12/14/16/19th on a direct 8 hour flight from LGW to JFK.

  It may also be of interest that Thomas Cook Airlines has direct flights from London Gatwick to Reno Nevada (Casino town 4 hours drive from San Francisco) for about $300 USD.

  And here is a link for USA to Australia in January 2016 which you could explore:

  http://www.skyscanner.com.au/transport/flights/us/au/cheapes…

  Note that not all airlines have loaded their full prices/schedules for Jan/Feb 2016 yet.

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  RockyRaccoon on 16/02/2015 - 13:29

  +1

  If you have no luck with cheap flights back from LA to AUS, which i think you will then check on cheap one way flight to Hawaii, then pick up Jetstar one way flight from Hawaii

  Also you may find if you have enough FF points to pick up one way flight to Hawaii on American airlines with Qantas points

  A few years back we got stranded in LAX with Virgin on Staff family and friends standby tickets (The Virgin Pilot preferred freight to passengers), and we picked up a one way flight back to Sydney for $1000 via Hong Kong, where the regular one way flight direct was $1800, but I think your cheapest option will be via Hawaii, and you can have a few days there as well.

  The biggest issue you have is you are trying to fly back at the end of the school holidays here. If you fly back a week or so later you will find flights cheaper.

  • 

    inherentchoice on 16/02/2015 - 13:47

    +1

    Allegiant air can often have fares for about $150 USD from Vegas or LAX to Honolulu

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  nissa on 16/02/2015 - 13:48

  When we were in LA a few months back there were billboards everywhere advertising flights to Hawaii for $100

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  hen dawg on 17/02/2015 - 14:13

  Generally the flights will be nowhere near the cheapest when booking almost a full year in advance. Exception being low-cost carriers, Jetstar/Easyjet/Scoot etc. And they don't even release seat for sometimes 6-9 months before.
  Consider focusing on other parts of your trip and book flights later?