Travel to Japan from Australia with Cathay Pacific sale for a short time only.
Economy Class Return airfare from just A$856 for departures from 01APR-15JUN2016
Fares include all taxes and surcharges as at 01APR2016 and are available for travel in Economy and Premium Economy class.
*Based on adult, return Economy Class flights from Perth to Tokyo in low season.
See www.cathaypacific.com/au for Terms and Conditions.
amex edge credit card has good reward program for asia miles.
All depends on the class of ticket fare…however with these specials, you wont earn anything on QFF so your only bet is Asia Miles….
Marco polo is 50 USD and you don't need it unless you want the priority boarding or you think you will fly CX to get status….you need to pay the $50 USD Marco polo to accumulate OW status different to how QFF operates
Also CX just revamped their scheme as well….harder to climb up the status ladder
I still dont get FF points. I think going back 6 years+ it was probably worth it, but these days it seems like you cant select the real budget budget flights and need to spend up big monthly on a supported credit card that will cost you $250 per year. I don't fly much, once every 2 years so cant justify it for myself.
Marco polo Club will change to 100USD this month :(
and no more priority boarding or lounge access if your status is under diamond (or gold?)
I have read about it in some HK newspaper last year, not sure if it was accurate or if things has changed since
a quick google search shows priority boarding will still be a perk for Green members:
https://www.cathaypacific.com/cx/en_AU/about-us/press-room/p…
anyway, the priority boarding is getting a little ridiculous, apparently it is becoming longer then the regular pleb queue these days……..
disclosure - I am NOT a Macro Polo member
It is a business fare/trip so is the points should be worth collecting.
Do i have to choose between QFF or Asia Miles to collect on this flight ? Or can I convert later? Or get both?
Never flown CX before.
Any clues appreciated.
You might not collect QFF Miles on a discount CX flight. You might not even collect CX Miles…
CX seem to be pretty stingy when it comes to Miles :-(
Just make sure you do all you all your homework regarding fare classes / fare buckets.
For me, actually getting to speak to them about it, seemed to be comparable to the chances of winning a lottery ;-)
harder to climb up the status ladder
Last time I was to fly Cathay, I couldn't even get to the ladder, let alone climb it.
Despite trying to call them on numerous occasions, I could never actually get through to a real person. I eventually gave up…
.
Great time of year to visit Japan in their spring time as it's the Cherry Blossom season
http://japan-magazine.jnto.go.jp/en/1202_sakura.html#
I went there early April 10 years ago and it was a beautiful sight …..I must go again one day but not this year unfortunately
I was there this time last year for my honeymoon, highly recommend cherry blossom season
If only the deal came out earlier!
Sakura season is actually right now, and I think it's about to wrap up soon. (Except for Tohaku area)
To anyone who's going right now and havent booked an accom. Good luck finding accom at this time though.
I went there in 2013 and 2015. Was hoping to go again this year, but sadly work has blackout period. :(
Link to a better price now, otherwise you shouldn't neg.
Sure, here you go:
https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/234259
https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/142248
https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/61271
https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/55439
Do you want more?
Do you want more?
A time machine? All your links are expired. A neg vote is only valid if there is a cheaper deal available.
@IceCreamBandit: So paying normal price because there are no better deals available is now considered a deal? Might just start posting random items then screaming FIND A BETTER PRICE.
So paying normal price because there are no better deals available is now considered a deal? Might just start posting random items then screaming FIND A BETTER PRICE.
Go ahead and post your first deal, it's what this community is about.
The posting of a 'deal' doesn't necessarily make it a good deal, our + votes do that. If you don't think it's a good deal, move on.
almost? link to previous deal? (seriously, can't believe i missed that one)
Sure, here you go:
https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/234259
https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/142248
https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/61271
https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/55439
Do you want more?
those are great prices.
different people have different requirements. for me, jetstar (direct) v cathay pacific (non direct), i'd pick cathay pacific for a longish haul, no contest.
and "half this price" of $877 = $439 from sydney. those linked deals are around $500 return. so no, not half price.
still ty, +ve from me for bringing those to my attention :)
This is Cathay. That is jetstar. Completely different… Food, quality, service, luggage inclusion. Rank no.3 in world vs rank like 30.
What.. why neg? Oh course it's via HK it's Cathay Pacific. Just like if it were Malaysian or Singapore Airlines it would be via Kuala Lumpur or Singapore. Doesn't deserve a neg, read the guidelines.
I negged because paying double the price to get to the same place in a longer time is not a deal.
Luggage alone for jetstar is $100+, which brings it to $650 from Sydney not direct with jetstar vs $850 in this deal. Then you have things like food better seats and service. In flight entertainment. Free drinks, meals. Completely different. I would pay the extra $200. Jetstar deals you linked isn't exactly better.
Half this price with…. Jetstar? It's like comparing how cheaper it is to buy a scooter than it is to buy a car
Oh is it? how so? do you get gold plated glasses to drink your free water out of? lol if you think you are getting 400$ worth of value over jetstar please explain it. Economy is economy regardless of what you tell yourself after spending the extra 400$ ;).
Ummm No.. when you're comparing Jetstar to Cathay/Singapore Air/Emirates Economy is not Economy.
@Duram - You are being silly. If I offer you a free flight with same inclusion between Jetstar and Singapore/Emirates for example and you get to choose which flight… Don't lie and tell me that you would choose Jetstar over Singapore/Emirate. Don't tell you would sit back and be able to relax more on a Jetstar plane compared to those on Singapore/Emirate plane.
Dollar values aren't always in the inclusion. People pay more for non-budget for other reasons such as reliability, service, reputation, comfort and many more. You are comparing an apple to an orange here.
@John: Don't know about you guys but I chose to go Jetstar to Japan as they were the only ones doing a direct flight. Taking hours off your journey (6 in my case) was more important to me than the small perks you get with a premium service airline.
@dogboy: that's a matter of personal preference. It doesn't make the deal a bad deal. I personally love transitting over Hong Kong. Plus, there's no direct flight to Japan out of Perth anyway. So for me, I have to transit regardless of the airlines I take.
So your neg is invalid. It's like negging a deal for an Apple phone, simply because you prefer Android phones.
@John: True. But a true ozbargainer would not pay double the price to get to the same place in a longer time in the same seating class.
@dogboy: Not really. If that's the case then all Ozbargainers here would be driving a 30 year old Hyundai.
@John: But it's not the same price and this isn't a good deal when I've flown to Japan for 400ish return, I didn't have the so called luxuries of Singapore airlines but I got there and back.
@John: Lol so not only are you willing to pay 400 dollars extra but you are willing to lose holiday time in the process but call it a bargain.
@Duram: There's no flight direct out of Perth to Japan. So to me it doesn't matter which flight I take I'm gonna have a stopover. And no, the flight with Jetstar isn't $400 cheaper for me and it doesn't take me there direct (takes me around Eastern state ie longer flight). Its probably a valid consideration for you eastern state folks, but I'm left with no choice.
So I'd rather pay more for a comfortable flight, a better flight time choices, a 2+ hour less total travel time, and a nicer stopover at Hongkong. Especially when I have a kid.
It all comes down to preference. For people like me, this Cathay flight is a deal.
Just came back from there, is really worth going in April around Tokyo area and also mid-april to May period upper than Tokyo would be nice! There's a lot in very west of Tokyo this April! It's been advertised all over train stations. And now there's a Hokkaido shinkansen from tokyo, very convenient!!
OP - any chances of seeing deals for Dec - Jan?
I'm also hoping for dates around then as well ;)
Any thoughts on whether Japan is a good time to visit in early June for 2 weeks?
We have heard about the uncomfortable heat & humidity that approaches towards the end of June.
Which area are you thinking of visiting?
June is hot, but its not where as hot as July or August there, and no typhoons in June i think.
We went to Japan June/July last year. We went from driving all round the Hokkaido Island, doing the main festivals in Tohoku Region then back into Tokyo.
Hokkaido has nice summer weather. It's still hot but far from unbearable. Not as humid as Tokyo.
Tokyo was really hot. Intense sun and humidity. However, most places have aircon.
The beginning of June in Japan is cloudy and a little bit rainy (but not too bad), unless you go to Okinawa.
Tokyo mainly as I've visited Osaka and its surroundings in the past.
On the fence between this, Bali or Bangkok (very different places I know).
Hahaha Bangkok! It's fun, but probably hotter? Like blazing hot!
If you don't like the hot weather… and the travel date must be around June, then try go towards end of May start of June, think the temperature started to raise at the 2nd week of June, and it rains quite a bit.
It will be off peak season though, less lining up for places. :D
15hr+ transit :|
I found when looking at ADL > HKG > KIX, I could reduce the huge transit time by selecting the $871 fare, rather than $870.
More time to eat!
You mean 15hr+ holiday in Hong Kong?
3hrs in Hong Kong
Catch airport express and eat dumplings :D
As a true Ozbargainer I find it hard to justify spending almost $300 more for a flight compared to going with Jetstar. It's only a 7hr journey in the afternoon and zero connections so you barely need food. Good for those who like a bit more comfort though but yeah
For $300 extra you get to eat in HK; winning!
My thought too, I was wondering why this was such a good "deal".
Gah i wish this was dec-jan :(
Dammit! I booked a flight that's now $323 cheaper :(( Do they do refunds for price difference at all??? Been on hold to talk to someone for ages :(
Bunch of my mates are currently in Japan because of a recent return flight deal to and from Japan for around $450.
This is pretty expensive, even if, as people say, it's Jetstar vs Cathay Pacific (which I'm not even sure which airline my mates went on).
I think for my extra $400, I'd spend it on a fancy ass dinner with fresh seafood buffet for me and the lady, then shout my mates a good time at a karaoke bar in Japan, serving alcohol, food and snacks and a good few hours of bad singing, and still have enough left over for the 45 Chicken Nugget for $18 deal at the Japanese Mcdonalds, and drop the change into the coin operated machine for a Pikachu Kinder Surprise.
Look I'll definitely put up with a few hours on a Jetstar-esque flight in return for all that and probably more. If the price of the Cathay pacific was about $100 to $150 more, I'd probably pay it to be on a decent airline (Cathay isn't that great these days either, they used to be top deck about 20 years ago).
Look out - people downvoted the crap out of me for saying this exact thing. Hopefully uou will escape this fate and keep your negative vote.
I guess it's different for everyone depending on their situation. I would normally book budget airlines but it's just too much work with a 3yo. We did when he was a baby but as he got older, we just found it easier to go with a full service airline…but definitely would have chosen whichever airline was the cheapest if it was just us 2!
the key bit is - currently this is a good deal… if you can wait 1..2..3 months? who knows?? then you might get a better deal, but just because something was cheaper in the past, doesn't necessarily mean it'll be cheap again in the future…
"normal" flights to japan (melb-tokyo) are generally $1000+, so while this deal isnt particularly the greatest one we've seen in recent times, it's still a deal for the time being.
Oh I totally agree this is a GREAT deal for Cathay as I paid an extra $323 a week ago and now I'm figuring out if there is anyway I can get the difference refunded as a credit of some sort…but have not been able to get through their phones after an hour on hold….If anyone knows of an alternative number to the 131 747 number, please let me know.
Cathay isn't that great these days either, they used to be top deck about 20 years ago
You're not wrong…. I flew 4 sectors with them last year and I was very unimpressed. Without doubt the most basic amenities, service, food, inflight entertainment you're ever likely to see on a so called "full service" airline. Miles behind the likes of Emirates, Qantas (international) and Singapore.
Wow really?? How disappointing! I haven't flown them in ages but they are still ranked as one of the top airlines so assumed they were comparative to Singapore Airline etc Guess we'll see…
I was surprised too as skytrax ranked them 3rd best in the world in 2015 behind Quatar and Singapore. They seem to be in cost cutting mode…..no amenities kits for long haul night flights, no hot towel on boarding, only half a can of coke if you ask for a softdrink! All little things, but they all add up!
@ash2000:
From what I gather they are more focused on the business and first classes and that is where they excel. Apparently their business economy is meant to be amazing?
I book full service airline not for amenities but more for the peace of mind that if we miss our flight then it will be easier to sort out than with a budget airline (not that we've ever missed a flight before but you just never know with kids).
The last time I flew budget airline they separated my husband and I and my child (first time they'd ever done this) so had to speak to them for ages (at first they wouldn't help) to group us in a row. It might not be a big deal for other parents with lovely kids but you need at least 2 adults to contain this child haha
Out of curiosity I mocked up my flights on Jetstar and looks like there are no flights avail Perth to Narita (20/5 -2/6) anyways and I don't think there are direct flights out of Perth?
Agreed! I took Cathay last year… And was horrified when they served me this 'lunch'… A paper bento box full of rice with maybe like 10 pieces of pork mince on top… accompanied with a small sugar free oolong tea. :/
I recently flew Jetstar return GC<—>Tokyo from one of the 2015 Japan deals.
Pros
+Cheap
+Cheap
+Cheap
Cons
-Had to go to GC from Brisbane (extra travel costs)
-Extra baggage fees
-Extra "entertainment" fees (movies sucked, bring your iPad)
-Extra for food
-Narita Terminal 3 sucks
-Cramped and definitely packed
-Shit service
On balance, I don't know whether I will fly Jetstar again next time. Maybe if they did half price business class again I would.
the proper way to do japan is to fly to osaka via jetstar with your own entertainment, or sleep for 7 hrs
the fees and minor costs more than offset any other airline
then u get a JR pass for tourists and visit all of japan including both tokyo and osaka and everything in between
you can fly out anywhere too
…unless of course the person does not wish to visit Osaka, then the proper way would be to fly to Tokyo.
@Knightelf: JR pass allows u free travel for a fixed fee
i believe its sub $200 depending on how long u need. But i believe even then a shinkansen from osaka to tokyo would be cheaper than say a $300 premium to go direct to narita + transfer costs.
With the JR pass you can ride for free from the airport in osaka to the city, and use the JR line to get to central tokyo and around tokyo along the yamamoto line
Obviously im just throwing one suggestion if you wanted to get the most out of a japan holiday.
But if you need to get to narita directly for some specific reason (which is clearly targetted for tourists), then obviously this doesnt apply to you
If u need to go for business purposes, then just claim it as part of operating costs and shouldnt even be reading this.
I know what the JR Pass is. Last time I bought it the cheapest one was $350 for 7 days. JR Pass only works out well if you are doing at least 2-3 trips on the Shinkansen, otherwise it is itinerary specific as there may be cheaper options. Jetstar flies direct to Tokyo, not sure what you mean by $300 premium. And no I don't want to go to Osaka as I prefer Tokyo, I mainly go to dine and my favourite sushi shop is there (Saito), as is my other favourite L'effervescence. Saying that Tokyo is clearly targetted at tourists is such a broad stroke statement. For me, Osaka simply does not have the same level of sophisticated dining compared to Tokyo (bar a small number of selected establishments). How about the fact that it is also closer to Hakone or Hakuba or anywhere further north, which would make Osaka a massive detour? There is no "right way" to do Japan (or any other country), as it is all dependent on the person's needs.
@Knightelf: thats not what i was saying but ok buddy, enjoy your fine dining. By the way you also dropped your magnum condoms for your monster dong too, let me grab a forklift to pick it up for you
Japan is awesome
Using Jetstar I picked 1 week out of May where you could travel for just under $708. Obviously it was in the $400's not too long ago too… People talking about time machines are not really that valid (imo) because just like for any other bargain I'd rather not pay full price and just wait for a sale. So why change this just because it's a flight deal?
Edit: $675.57 for traveling in early June.
What meals and baggage did that include?
$885 for all that jazz, $30 saving is like 3.5% saving or less. Not great, obviously this is just my opinion.
$741 with Viet airways very start of June, but there is one stop over. Not sure about meals, but it included onboard baggage.
And I bought frozen pizzas cheaper than dominos pizza.
Your comment is so valid, but you want to check how negative voting is used here.
Inappropriate use just confuses the hell out of others here, so if you really want to help others look at the guidelines on voting
Voting the deal down. It's only a 3-4% saving over other airline. I wouldn't call that a deal.
Its a better airline, better seating arrangments etc. Would you fly jetstar over qantas when qantas is cheaper?
@ko0l: Depends where and how long. I fly Air Asia to Asian countries because every time I've flown they've been 75%+ empty, I find an empty row and sleep lying down.
Looking for a deal to fly to HK, how come flying to Japan via HK is cheaper than flying to HK direct Op??
Cheapest no stop over I can find between Dec and January is $1400 :( can't decide to book ortjust wait
I jumped on the Feb JS deal, 2 of us Cairns/Osaka return for $896 incl 20kg & meals
Cost me more than that to fly Perth/Cairns return
I remember paying $1450 to fly CX from MEL-HK-TOKYO return back in 2007… ah those were the days… so for me this is a good deal if you want to see both. Obviously if you just want direct you could fly Jetstar. But bloody Jetstar!
Be honest I don't think this is a bargain, but an advertisement. Too much compared to other competitors. Cathay is not a premium provider nowadays compared to 10-15 years ago.
Hi,
I was looking for a flight from Adelaide to Delhi. Looking good. However there is a long transit time of about 12 hours. Just wondering if CF provide the transit hotel for the period?
Unlikely. Unless it is an overnight stop, do you really need a hotel?
Why would you waste 12 hours in HK in a hotel :D Long day transits are awesome - no luggage to worry about, just go out and roam around. HK, Singapore are awesome for that.
Can't beat ANA for Japan flights but they've boosted prices now :-(
Cathay still has 9-across seating on its 777s, will take that over Jetstar any day. This is a nice price for a non budget Japan flight.
Anyone know the best FFyler scheme for Cathay - Asia miles, Marco polo (costs $50?) or Transfer points on one world?