Cheap fares to the USA

[Blackadder]

Where can I get the best fare info to get to YVR from LAX?

I am looking for flights SYD-YVR, but with all these sale fares to LAX, I too am wondering whether it will work out cheaper to get a separate ticket for LAX-YVR.

Thanks in advance!

Try the various websites for airlines that operate the LAX-YVR route, alternativly look at sites like webjet etc

 

[Flashback]

Have you tried Expedia or Travelocity?

Can be good to get an idea, then usually from there you can try book with the airline directly (sometimes works out cheaper than Expedia/Travelocity, sometimes doesn't).

 

[mrsjo]

Thanks for your replies Blackadder and Flashware!

 

[Warks]

mrsjo that was my next question! I couldn't resist the cheap LAX fare but now I'm wondering about this segment. The problem is I was looking at packages for hotels and Disney in LAX but they would generally go with deals with a YVR-LAX-YVR ticket not LAX-YVR-LAX.

I tried looking at FF points for these flights but the QFF website won't let me do it, possibly because it's with AA only?

I think I'll post a question on the Your Questions forum shortly. Will have a look at alternative airlines first.

 

[trooper]

YVR can be pricey to get to (and from) as well!

You didn't say when (or whether return/one way) .. so I plugged a 7 day return LAX-YVR in to ITA in June... just to see some prices...

Fares were over AUD$600... Ouch!

To fly LAX-SEA on the other hand was AUD $255 on the same dates... and there are buses (and one train) SEA-YVR...

For that type of saving I'd consider the "connection"!!:mrgreen:

 

[Warks]

I've been through a heap of cheap fares sites and also with the airlines directly. The best price seems to come out at about $US400 with taxes. Often these flights are through some god-forsaken 'layover' such as Salt Lake City or Boise (or was it Boseman?)
Webjet won't let you check flights that originate outside Aus/NZ/Fiji it seems.
I'm assuming QFF doesn't allocate and Award seats to LAX-YVR - even with flexible dates it still came up empty.

This is looking like it might be a job for LAX-SEA as trooper says.

Shirley with the US market in such a crisis (so what's new?) there would be better deals out there. By joining some of these best deals 'clubs' I expect you'd get email offers that would beat these prices.

BTW QF site is down again...

 

[Flashback]

Refer to http://www.frequentflyer.com.au/community/qantas-frequent-flyer-program/qf-site-down-16415-2.html for the QF site being down.

Also, have you tried calling QF re: award availability ?

 

[Alanslegal]

Have you had a look at priceline.com for the n/a flights? They seem OK for return fares.

 

[serfty]

I was able to price out a multi booking to JFK in August with 388 between LAX and MEL/SYD; it came to $1110 ex MEL.

One of the bigger changes aside from price on Qantas.com is that the cheaper fares are now valid up until late October (Previously mid June).

 

[Warks]

Thanks I was thinking of calling Awards to see what I could arrange. Got points enough. Went to Canada for an impromptu visit in 2005 while it was only 80 000 points to LAX and had United points to take me the rest of the way. Whole trip cost me about $350 (maybe less) in taxes. Pity I don't have enough United points left.

I had a look at Priceline.com (William Shatner all over it!) and their prices were similar, maybe a little better but not much. They do have the "name your own price" option where you put in what you'd like to pay and it goes to the airlines. If you got more than about 30% below the listed bottom price it gives you a "get real" warning. I didn't try it out because it says you have to be prepared to take whatever flights they give you. If you are making connections that's going to be rather dicey!

Anyone ever try it?

 

[Flashback]

If you're worried about connections etc. just do the flight date 1 day later than your flight arrives, and 1 day earlier than the flight leaves and you should be OK

 

[Warks]

Yes could do that but I don't really want to stay in LA on the way over.

I think I'll try with Award flights first and if no go there I'll check to see what QF can offer for the leg. It's with Alaska anyway.

To my delight I see the outward flights for the date I chose have now sold out and it's now $1221 one way. Still some very cheap LAX-SYD flights - $519.

 

[futaris]

NB, AADER is back again. DEQM with AAdvantage on AA flights. 18 March - 15 June.

 

[zan5hin]

I find it really silly that AA have not reduced prices for return tickets after April. In the face of UA and Virgin and Delta even Qantas has now reduced fares well into this year as detailed in this thread.

The celebratory offer was supposed to finish yesterday, but they have extended it a week but haven't extended the travel period past the original 30th April.

I try to find a fare MEL-LAX leaving May returning June and the AA Australia website is throwing up prices of $2,482 return.

 

[Warks]

Delta has an article in today's SMH:

Delta offers flights to US for $777

It's probably equal to the UA and QF deal when taxes are added. $777.

The flights beyond LAX for $200 aren't too bad - if you want to go to Boise! (and the rest) Vancouver not there of course.

 

[NM]

I find it really silly that AA have not reduced prices for return tickets after April. In the face of UA and Virgin and Delta even Qantas has now reduced fares well into this year as detailed in this thread.

The celebratory offer was supposed to finish yesterday, but they have extended it a week but haven't extended the travel period past the original 30th April.

I try to find a fare MEL-LAX leaving May returning June and the AA Australia website is throwing up prices of $2,482 return.

They may well have another promotion waiting in the wings ready to be announced. They possibly extended this one by a week due to the next one still awaiting the finishing touches before it commences. There could be any number of reasons for the actions they have chosen to take.

 

[Warks]

Well I did the book now, pay later option which gave me from Monday night when I booked to midnight Sunday to pay. Not much grace but it's cheap after all. I was only delaying as I was waiting for my Gold MC to come through - never needed one before but want to use it for the travel insurance. Found out fromt eh bank that it won't be through in time for that deadline so I thought I'd call QFF to see if there was the remotest possibililty of an extension of a few days.
When I did get through I was instantly given the "that system is all automated and there is nothing I can do to change anything". I knew from this voice I was never going to get anywhere arguing the point so dropped it.
I will have the card by Tuesday... or Wednesday assures the bank so I can lose the $100 on this booking and hope for the best grabbing these fares if any are still available after midnight tonight. Either that or just suck it up and pay $460 for the travel insurance.

Life wasn't meant to be easy.

My other problem (getting to YVR) is posted in Your Questions.

 

[dajop]

JFK $908 return.

Things are getting really really desperate. It's actually becoming a worry.

MEL-JFK .... $908 return including taxes. On QF107/8. Throw in between 20,000 and 40,000 pts depending on status, and $908 gets a lot. Add a return on someone (BA,AA) to LHR for about $700 AUD, makes LHR only $1610 return.


Puts it into context when you read down the specials, and MEL-SIN is $962 return. MEL-MNL $1186. MEL-BKK $1307 (!!!)

 

[Mal]

Yep, Qantas have announced the secret sale they implemented about 30 hours ago:

Brisbane to:
Los Angeles return from $ 998
San Francisco return from $ 998*
New York (JFK) return from $1018^

* Valid on QF73/74 services via Sydney only.
^ Valid on QF107/108 services via Sydney only.

Very keen pricing!

 

[Warks]

Yep, Qantas have announced the secret sale they implemented about 30 hours ago:

Brisbane to:
Los Angeles return from $ 998
San Francisco return from $ 998*
New York (JFK) return from $1018^

* Valid on QF73/74 services via Sydney only.
^ Valid on QF107/108 services via Sydney only.

Very keen pricing!

Yes they've placed an ad in today's Sydney Morning Herald which means the hordes will descend shortly!