Fares to USA Sep 2013 - when to book?

[Golf888]

Hi,
planning trip to USA/Canada in Sep 2013.

Qantas deals only go to end of Aug 2013.
Current fares in Sep 2013 are ~$2,700 compared to ~$1,600 for Aug 2013.

Any timeframe when cheaper fares would be released?

Thanks

 

[harvyk]

I'd wait a couple of months before even considering booking. However I'd also keep checking prices online over that time. Also make sure you've signed up for Red E Mail, as often they will advertise fares in there, however when you see an advertised fare it's usually an idea to book pretty quick as it's often not valid for very long.

 

[serfty]

There may be some sales for September, but don't expect the fares to come down much - September is one of the "peak" ex-Oz holiday seasons.

 

[markis10]

Hi,
planning trip to USA/Canada in Sep 2013.

Qantas deals only go to end of Aug 2013.
Current fares in Sep 2013 are ~$2,700 compared to ~$1,600 for Aug 2013.

Any timeframe when cheaper fares would be released?

Thanks

Have you looked at buying some AA miles using their current promo, which allows you to buy 60000 for $1800 USD odd, and you get a 50% bonus. You could then top up another 10000 in the new year and book Business one way to New York and economy the other for 100000 points + $139 taxes.

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....advantage/buy-miles-promo-50-bonus-45014.html

 

[Edge]

My wife and i flew MEL-LAX-MEL in September this year with Qantas for $1299 each. We booked in Feb. I'd anticipate sale fares to kick in after Christmas

 

[serfty]

My wife and i flew MEL-LAX-MEL in September this year with Qantas for $1299 each. We booked in Feb. I'd anticipate sale fares to kick in after Christmas

Those sales tend to require departure dates before mid September.

Certainly not generally during Australian school Holiday periods. (Next Year: Sep 21 or 28 to Oct 7 or 13)

 

[lovestotravel]

There may be some sales for September, but don't expect the fares to come down much - September is one of the "peak" ex-Oz holiday seasons.

Certainly not generally around Australian school Holiday periods.

This pretty much sums it up

Mid September onwards will be $$

 

[Edge]

Those sales tend to require departure dates before mid September.

Certainly not generally during Australian school Holiday periods. (Next Year: Sep 21 or 28 to Oct 7 or 13)

Correct, it was early - mid September. Great time to go if you don't have school-aged kids that are coming along. Accommodation was great value as well.

 

[fewings85]

i will also be needing similar fares at around this time as have a wedding/bucks in LA to attend.

i want to go via singapore though and using singapore airlines not qantas.

My plan is to have a stopover in singapore on the way for the F1 weekend (i go every year) so would be flying out of perth on the 19th/20th sept. i dont have a return date from LA yet but id say it will be between oct 15th-20th somewhere.

Will i have the same sort of issue with pricing with singapore airlines as with qantas? any particular time fram early in the new year when the fares will be best/sale fares?

 

[Lewdannie]

Hi,

I am in a similar boat to the OP
I am desperate to take the family back to Disneyland in September.
We are happy to go before the school holidays
A 31 August departure would be OK, but a week later would be better.

I will try and contain myself and hang out for some specials for the first 2 weeks of Sept

 

[curtainbounce]

Hi Lewdannie,

I just booked my flights 2 weeks ago to LA departing August 31st and returning September 27th with Virgin for $1197, this seems to get on the August Sales fares due to Aug 31 departure

Just looked up the same dates on matrix.itasoftware.com and it's coming in around $1170 for Virgin and Delta and QF around $1400

 

[Maca44]

Hi,

I am in a similar boat to the OP
I am desperate to take the family back to Disneyland in September.
We are happy to go before the school holidays
A 31 August departure would be OK, but a week later would be better.

I will try and contain myself and hang out for some specials for the first 2 weeks of Sept

If you could depart at least a week prior to the AU school holidays in September you have a much better chance of better airfares and accommodation, and you could also do Disneyland/Adventureland in that first week and avoid the crowds. The USA school holidays have finished by then so crowds are minimal, but as you have been the DL previously you are no doubt aware of this.

 

[whatmeworry]

Just take the kids out of school early. Seems like most schools allow it these days.

 

[NoName]

What sort of prices am I looking at for a departure to LA around 10 October?

 

[pn1]

I got a good deal from Qantas; $2264 for a round the world ticket Melbourne-Frankfurt-Boston-Melbourne in September/October 2013. I am planning to go to Oktoberfest in Munchen and to meet up with some friends in the fall in New Hampshire. It was one of those "right for me" offers that came in an email a couple of months ago. Paying the $60 for operator assisted booking and $30 still made the fare cheaper than what the travel agent (who sent the original email) was offering EFT only!

 

[Sprucegoose]

Just take the kids out of school early. Seems like most schools allow it these days.

They don't like it though. We used to get a lecture then a 'enjoy the trip!!'

 

[Sprucegoose]

Hi,

I am in a similar boat to the OP
I am desperate to take the family back to Disneyland in September.
We are happy to go before the school holidays
A 31 August departure would be OK, but a week later would be better.

I will try and contain myself and hang out for some specials for the first 2 weeks of Sept

Have you considered Tokyo?

 

[eddie eagle]

Holy cow that is a cheap airfare!!

 

[Lewdannie]

Air New Zealand have just released some sweet deals for this period.
e.g. $1250 BNE to LAX with a stopover in Auckland
Hoping Qantas follow soon, would prefer a non-stop

 

[harvyk]

Just checked the QF site as we're planning to head to LAX at the end of oct, it's still sitting around the $1,300 pp each way (aka around $5000 for both of us). I'm personally thinking that there is going to be a sale between now and then which would easily save us $2000 (aka pay for our hotels whilst there), so whilst I'm checking the QF site on a regular basis, I'm not expecting to actually book anything until August at the earliest (last year I was there at the same time, I didn't make a booking until mid Sept).