We'd like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum. This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are - or become - political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.

Flights to New Zealand

Hi,

Going to New Zealand to stay with family in December....not flown in years and never booked flights online.

Wondered if anyone had any tips to get reduced prices......cheapest so far is direct with Air New Zealand but the taxes they put on are huge!!

Thanks!!
«1

Comments

  • richardw
    richardw Posts: 19,458 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts
    There are at least 3 airports on the trip, that is why the taxes are high.
    Posts are not advice and must not be relied upon.
  • Moonchild
    Moonchild Posts: 802 Forumite
    If you add when, where, how many and the best you have to date, people may find you better prices.
  • Ok......

    3 adults, 1 child
    from Manchester to Wellington
    11th December to 2nd Jan 2010
    best price so far is £5200

    thanks!!
  • I presume you are going to spend Christmas in NZ, unfortuately this is the most expensive time to go so you are going to have to pay a higher price. Is Christmas very important to you or could you go at a cheaper time of the year?

    Also how many times do you want to change plane? The more changes the cheaper the fare but it will make a long tiring journey seem even longer. Where did you get this price from? Have you tried phoning Trailfinders and Oztravel as they are usually pretty competitive. I presume you are flying Manchester/Heathrow/LA/Auckland/Wellington which is why the tax is so much, 5 airports. However this is probably the shorter of your possible routes and Air NZ have the longest long room and good service. You're going to be travelling a really long time so you should consider comfort and convenience as well as price. Having flown this way a few times I'd go with Air NZ or Singapore Airlines (have you tried them?)
  • boombap
    boombap Posts: 765 Forumite
    Try booking over on Expedia's NZ site (you are allowed to do this).

    I've just looked now and the total cost for 2 x adults and 1 x child (didn't know age but said 5) comes to 13,254 NZD which works out as being £4767.

    This is for flights from Manchester to Wellington, flying out on 11/12/09 and returning 02/01/10.

    Linky here but might expire - just start a new search if so:

    http://www.expedia.co.nz/pub/agent.dll?&&qscr=fexp&flag=q&date1=&time1=362&date1=11%2F12%2F2009&city1=MAN&citd1=WLG&time2=362&date2=02%2F01%2F2010&city2=WLG&citd2=&cAdu=2&cSen=0&cChi=1&cInf=&ages1=6&infs=2&tktt=3&trpt=2&ecrc=&eccn=&qryt=1&load=1&rdct=1&rfrr=-54538&zz=1233948697410

    HTH

    S.
  • toshtec
    toshtec Posts: 26 Forumite
    Re your trip visit the airports you will be stopping at in my case it will be Singapore airport, I will have a 4-5 hr lay over for the change at Changi they have a swimming pool you can go into also if you dont want to go that far they have showers in the Rainbow/Rainforest Lounge these are well worth the cost of having as you are sticky and tired after the flight to there take a change of undies and some lighter clothing to wear inNZ when you get there and you will feel more human for the ongoing trip.

    also in Changi airport if you go upstairs above the shops you will find a singapour restaurant that has to be the cheapest airport restaurant I have ever eaten in I think it only cost me about £6.00 but I had a fantastic oriental meal.

    Google the airposts you stop in and see what facilities they have there.
  • Wow....thanks! You are all so helpful and fountains of knowledge!!
  • knightstyle
    knightstyle Posts: 7,076 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts
    We flew SA last winter, try to go earlier, flights are cheaper. Singapore airport is great, we had a shower and massage can't remember how much it cost. If you use seat guru to check out the best seats be aware that SA often use charter planes between Singapore and Auckland so the seats are not the same layout as on the plan. Have fun.
  • Just had a quick look again....prices have shot up overnight!!! Is this normal??
  • kiwifruit_2
    kiwifruit_2 Posts: 4,760 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    Ok......

    3 adults, 1 child
    from Manchester to Wellington
    11th December to 2nd Jan 2010
    best price so far is £5200

    thanks!!

    do you need to fly into Wellington??? Personally flying from UK to Auckland and then getting a domestic flight to Wellington is cheaper...As already said December is the height of summer,school holidays and workers take their annual leave...I hate to say it but AirNZ is not always the cheaper airline..have a look at the flight centre for flights as well as they often have good competitive deals.
    'Normal' is a dryer setting.
This discussion has been closed.
Meet your Ambassadors

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 346.6K Banking & Borrowing
  • 251.3K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 451.4K Spending & Discounts
  • 238.7K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 614.1K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 174.7K Life & Family
  • 251.9K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16K Discuss & Feedback
  • 15.1K Coronavirus Support Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.