Non refundable fares SYD - AKL

[bronwyn75]

I am looking at flights SYD-AKL on 18 Dec and finding only non-refundable fares in all classes (want to book Premium Economy) . Whilst I am hopeful we will travel, I would prefer to be able to book a more flexible fare. Does anyone know if it is possible to book a different type of fare? Thank you

 

[Mwenenzi]

You many have to phone Air NZ. Or a real travel agent?
Some NZ SYD AKL flights are B787 and other A321
Also have QF, JQ and LATAM on that route.
Sunday 18 Dec, 1 week before Christmas, will be a popular day to travel

 

[bronwyn75]

Thanks Mwenenzi - good suggestions.
I was keen on the NZ Premium Economy as that seemed like a reasonable price (approx $700) between the Economy and Business fares. eg J on QF is around $1200 which seems crazy for such a short flight

 

[Mwenenzi]

All trans Tasman prices are crazy at this time. Can be 2 to 3 times pre CV19 prices.
When capacity is added prices may reduce. QF is restarting some routes 21 May.
But for Sunday 18 Dec would expect high prices, and later higher prices as more people book. Some have not travelled for 2 years at the peak Christmas - New Year period, when on holiday/school out.

 

[AviationNZ]

As you go through the booking process on the website, there is an option to make the fare refundable. So just select the flight/cabin you want, then on the next page or two, you can check the box to make it refundable (and naturally the extra cost will be added to the price).

 

[bronwyn75]

Hello Mwenenzi and Aviation NZ - thanks for your interest and input. In the end, my husband said 'Just book Business class' so we have done that on NZ and, as you say AviationNZ, I found that step about being able to pay extra for a flexible fare. We are flying to AKL pre a Seabourn cruise back to Sydney and quibbling over a few hundred dollars in airfares when compared to the cruise cost, was a little silly on my part.
Really appreciate both of you helping me out. Cheers, Bronwyn

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Given appalling NZ's refund policy on tickets, I wouldn't bank much on receiving a full refund from them regardless of fare class.

-RooFlyer88

 

[bronwyn75]

RooFlyer88 - fair comment; we are very hopeful of travelling and my hesitancy was really down to what we've all experienced over the last couple of years; some wins, some losses with cancelling/refunding (not talking NZ here, just in general re travel arrangements). What surprised me was that J was non-refundable as well as all the Y variants; however, as AviationNZ pointed out, in the booking process you can pay more to have a flexible fare, which brought the NZ fare up to pretty much equal to the QF fare

 

[AviationNZ]

RooFlyer88 - fair comment; we are very hopeful of travelling and my hesitancy was really down to what we've all experienced over the last couple of years; some wins, some losses with cancelling/refunding (not talking NZ here, just in general re travel arrangements). What surprised me was that J was non-refundable as well as all the Y variants; however, as AviationNZ pointed out, in the booking process you can pay more to have a flexible fare, which brought the NZ fare up to pretty much equal to the QF fare

Correct, your situation is booking a fully refundable fare which is binding and will be refunded if you want, no matter the circumstance. RooFlyer88 is referring to refunds in the case of cancelled flights, which varies airline to airline, and country to country.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

One thing to consider is whether Qantas Frequent Flyer plays a role in all of this. For instance, you can upgrade a Qantas economy fare from SYD to AKL for just 21,800 points each way. In addition such a fare would attract 25 status credits and 1,375 QFF miles each way. Now I will grant you that QF upgrades on international flights aren't a guarantee, but if you're strategic on the booking you can certainly increase your odds (i.e. travelling on days where there is less business travel across the ditch).

-RooFlyer88

 

[bronwyn75]

Thanks RooFlyer 88 - good points. I was keen to get a booking as our travel date is only a week before Christmas....

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Thanks RooFlyer 88 - good points. I was keen to get a booking as our travel date is only a week before Christmas....

Plenty of award availability during this travel period. Here's what I'm seeing on the 15th of December for instance:


The other big benefit booking a classic award gets you is the ability to change or even cancel your flights for a full refund, supposing of course you book the flight prior to 30th June and travel finishes by December 31, 2022. Unsure what your point balance is but there are plenty of ways to be rolling in the QF points rapidly such as transferring your EverydayRewards points into Qantas points at a 2:1 rate.

-RooFlyer88

 

[bronwyn75]

Thanks RooFlyer 88, very kind of you to do this work. I do have plenty of QF points so your suggestion is worth considering.