How far ahead to book International Flights?

[robolb]

I know this question has come up in the past, for not for a few years I think.

I'm looking to book flights to Europe for next year. Departing Sydney, but could fly into Madrid, Paris or other Cities. Not too fussed.
We're still fairly flexible on dates so can avoid school holidays etc.

Likely economy or premium economy. I have lots of Qantas points, but award seats seem very scarce, so happy to fly with anyone really.
Well maybe not quite 'anyone'.
Was thinking of buying Qantas economy and trying to upgrade, but Qantas fares just seem really expensive these days, when compared to other carriers of similar quality.

Anyway, my question.

We are probably 6-10 months out from our travel date.

Is there a 'sweet spot' to get reasonably priced fares?
Book as far ahead as possible?
Look for last minute deals?

Any thoughts would be most appreciated.

 

[RooFlyer]

I would say purchasing earlier the better. There are certain numbers of so-called cheaper fares and then intermediate fares, and then full price fares, and people like you will buy the cheaper ones first. Over time they will disappear and the lowest cost will keep rising.

Definitely shop around for Airlines. You are very like to find cheaper options than Qantas with similar or better quality. Also look at some indirect routings - there maybe deals there to encourage people to go that way.

 

[knagelli]

I'm looking to book flights to Europe for next year. Departing Sydney, but could fly into Madrid, Paris or other Cities. Not too fussed.
We're still fairly flexible on dates so can avoid school holidays etc.

I would say as soon as your dates are locked in , start looking for the tickets if you have preference for any specific cabin class/itinerary. For the trip to Europe in May 2024 , we booked the tickets early in July 2024 and it was roughly 2K ( not sure if you are looking for reward tickets). The same itinerary is now costing around 3K just to give you an indication.

All the best!!

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Have you checked EK with a QF flight number?
EK lounges are to die for, so to speak.
Maybe look at flying into CDG via DXB, if you can find seats with EK with a QF flight number.
But as for departing to come back, avoid UK as they have their APD which is very high for prem seats out of the UK.
Some say there are ways to avoid it,, I haven't chased the info up, but if I was doing it, I would probably chunnel train it to CDG, and fly out from there to come back to Aust.

 

[encryptededdy]

If you're looking to travel in Economy, I feel like you have a decent chance finding some classic reward reward seats to Europe, especially if you looking around different destination ports and are ok with transiting internationally. China Airlines via Taiwan is usually a good option with decent award seats available.

 

[robolb]

Have you checked EK with a QF flight number?
EK lounges are to die for, so to speak.
Maybe look at flying into CDG via DXB, if you can find seats with EK with a QF flight number.
But as for departing to come back, avoid UK as they have their APD which is very high for prem seats out of the UK.
Some say there are ways to avoid it,, I haven't chased the info up, but if I was doing it, I would probably chunnel train it to CDG, and fly out from there to come back to Aust.

Ah. I understood I can't use QF points on EK. But OK with a QF Flight number?
I presume I would find those through the Qantas website rather than the EK website?

Post automatically merged: Nov 10, 2023

If you're looking to travel in Economy, I feel like you have a decent chance finding some classic reward reward seats to Europe, especially if you looking around different destination ports and are ok with transiting internationally. China Airlines via Taiwan is usually a good option with decent award seats available.

Thanks. Sadly only have QF points. The negative side of loyalty LOL

 

[anyonebutqantas]

Consider flying to Asia first and then booking a separate Asia-Europe ticket. Asia-Europe you will find more points tickets and also more discount J fares.

 

[BriarFlyer]

Thanks. Sadly only have QF points. The negative side of loyalty LOL

With QF points you can book Classic Reward seats with partner airlines such as Emirates and China Airlines, if they're available for your dates.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Yes, you can use QFF points on EK flights, with a QF flight number.
Choice of cities not as wide as EK's flight numbers of course, and akso depends on seats released by EK to QFF.

 

[encryptededdy]

Yes, you can use QFF points on EK flights, with a QF flight number.
Choice of cities not as wide as EK's flight numbers of course, and akso depends on seats released by EK to QFF.

The opposite is true, actually. If redeeming for Classic Rewards, you can only book EK (prime) flight numbers, not the QF codeshare.

 

[CaptJCool]

Pre Covid
The industry seemed to have two periods for the following European season

1. October / November like around now or just passing - we saw Etihad offer europe returns and recently Qatar (return tickets going past 353 ahead are generally not on the marketplace so if you wanted to linger longer, you’d need wait until they show up … so to speak

2. The second window for sales will likely be February 2024
That’s when most people can get leave booked in and set up their more reliable plans for an extended european summer holiday, and outbound and return legs are both on the marketplace

As for Classic Rewards
We just saw a large release (gone within petite hours)
But I suspect there’s still some ex-Australia kicking around late in that travel period with the trouble of finding a way back to Australia…

 

[downgraded]

The opposite is true, actually. If redeeming for Classic Rewards, you can only book EK (prime) flight numbers, not the QF codeshare.

Talking cross purposes here. QF and EK have a partnership. You can look at QF website for reward flights on EK. Ultimately you end up spending QF points but have an EK flight number in your booking which is pretty immaterial.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Ooo, I see, most likely/maybe my tutulege of the knowledge base, is very "bad".

 

[robolb]

With QF points you can book Classic Reward seats with partner airlines such as Emirates and China Airlines, if they're available for your dates.

Really? via the QF website? or direct with Emirates / China website?

 

[BriarFlyer]

Using QF points, always via the Qantas website.

 

[adammarcos]

There are certain numbers of so-called cheaper fares and then intermediate fares, and then full price fares, and people like you Speed Test will buy the cheaper ones first. Over time they will disappear and the lowest cost will keep rising.