Cheaper USA Christmas & January school holiday fares

[ozfflyer]

Was sent an email from a friend who said look at this website.

www.flysmart.com.au

A wholesaler has set up a single page to clear some airfares they have bought.

Phoned them & got a call back just now.

The woman I spoke to said they have been very busy since last weeks click frenzy.

She said many people held off booking their flights, as they thought there would be some cheap deals to USA in December & January school holidays, as in previous click frenzys, but there weren’t.

It seems the outbound dates are the expensive part of the return itineraries. Return dates can be changed sometimes at no cost difference.

Quized her about air NZ & she said that was a codeshare flight from LAX to Fiji.

 

[RichardMEL]

Wow. what a sloppy, amateurish page. I suspected a mileage broker at first, but looks like a ski consolidator trying to dump unsold package seats.

I'd steer clear.

Also NZ codeshare LAX-NAN? Amusingly yes, NZ do codeshare on FJ LAX-NAN. Who knew?

 

[ozfflyer]

Wow. what a sloppy, amateurish page. I suspected a mileage broker at first, but looks like a ski consolidator trying to dump unsold package seats.

I'd steer clear.

Also NZ codeshare LAX-NAN? Amusingly yes, NZ do codeshare on FJ LAX-NAN. Who knew?

yes, trying to dump unsold seats. Prices are good.

Looking at an itinerary for a small group in early January, even though am already going in February.

They said QF outbound direct to LAX & back via Fiji for $1499.

Can pay by credit card, so fully protected.

 

[RichardMEL]

I'd note that some group fare bookings may not possible accrue points/SC. Might be something to double check if that's important.

 

[ozfflyer]

I'd note that some group fare bookings may not possible accrue points/SC. Might be something to double check if that's important.

contacted them again. This time got straight through on phone. They said someone worked all weekend & they sold a lot of tickets. They are not group seats, but similar conditions & can name change for a fee after tickets issued, but no refunds whatsoever if cancel.

You do accrue QF ff pts & SC but not as many on the LAX/NAN/OZ sectors apparently. The LAX/NAN sector is QF/AA/NZ/FJ but FJ metal (brand new A350 apparently) & can bid on upgrades to business class. (The A350 is 2 class only, no PE)

They laughed when I mentioned the webpage, as in their office, someone didn't think much of it either. They said originally the page was just text without explanation, but they got sick of explaining the situation.

Am sure they are not the only agent who prebuy seats. Am sure the cruise companies in EU, who include "free" flights to join cruises such as Amsterdam to Budapest, get some sort of block seats at prices below, anything online, on basis, they are not to disclose the fare.

They said it was a $2 webpage & the office junior just typed in the info & inserted a few photos.

They implied it was more than doing it's job & they doubted if a better website, could have done more.

 

[RichardMEL]

Well, enjoy the flights