Flighthacker

Happiness is a warm ski-season fare to Japan. Sydney - Tokyo on sale for $886 return.

As some of you folks may know, I have a skiing problem. My hunt for cheap fares wherever the snow falls is brutal and relentless. However, in my quest I find some real deals that will make you drop your kim-chi, such as Korean Air’s $886 Sydney – Tokyo special, offered through STA Travel, for journeys between January – March, 2010. Which is ideal, as that’s the perfect time to be kicking up some Hakuba snow!

The best way to find these fares is to search via Wego.com and find Korean Air’s $886 fares during these months ($740 base). Once found, click through to STA Travel’s website. These fares are fixed regardless of day, meaning that you shouldn’t be shy searching for weekend departures and arrivals.

Please note that these flights make a 2-hour stopover in Incheon, Korea (near Seoul). Before you get tempted by Malaysia Airlines’ marginally-cheaper flights, note that the stopovers on their Australia-Tokyo flights really hurt… Unless you enjoy sleeping in airports, that is.

I apologise to you for the last string of posts being so Sydney-centric, but that’s where the deals be at right now. See you in Sapporo!

Find yourself in New Zealand... Again. Photo Credit: Geof Wilson

Just as the Winter ski crowds have started to tramp out after a bumper season, Air New Zealand has given us all a reason to head back, by offering $100 off return fares booked between now and 2 September.

In order to redeem this offer, visit Air New Zealand’s sale page and enter the following code during booking:

100OFF

This offer certainly takes a bite out of your total airfare. For example, Sydney to Auckland is $307 and Sydney to Christchurch is $303 return including tax after this discount. You bargain-junkies may scoff, however given that Air New Zealand is a premium carrier (ie. food + Airpoints), this is an extremely competitive price.

Check out Air New Zealand’s snappy sale page for details. Choice!

Tiger's Knockout Fares: $28 between Sydney and Melbourne from Oct onwards!

Another notable mention from Tiger ‘Always on Sale’ Airways – fares between Sydney and Melbourne are $28 each way, including tax! Make sure you book with a debit card, skip seat allocation and leave your check-in baggage at home in order to get tickets at this price. Sale is on now until 2 September, or until seats sell out, for travel between 4 October and 27 March, 2010. Don’t fret too much over snapping up tickets for this one – knowing Tiger, similar prices will be floating around in the weeks to come.

Other great fares are currently on offer for a swag of Australian cities, including the $48 Tour Down Under Adelaide fares mentioned in yesterday’s article. Check Tiger Airways’ sale page for details and Adioso for available flights. Scoot to!

Come on Jetstar, spoil us some more! Photo Credit: Christopher Bearman

Jetstar has announced their Domestic Sale and to be honest, after weeks of insane international fares, Sydney – Melbourne madness and what-not, I’m a little underwhelmed. That said, the fares are still pretty attractive and for the earlybirds amongst us, extend well into 2010. Some of the highlights include:

• Sydney – Gold Coast for $45
• Melbourne (Tullamarine) – Gold Coast for $79
• Sydney – Townsville for $79
• Oh… And Sydney – Christchurch for $129. Now we have a common border, it’s a domestic fare, right?

Sale is on now until 27 August, for travel between 20 October – 10 December, 19 January – 23 March and 20 Apr – 24 June, 2010. Check out Jetstar’s sale page for details. Hop to!

Bali, $124 nearer. Photo Credit: Michael Dawes

Folks, it’s hit us. Completely by accident, we have discovered $124 return fares between Sydney and Denpasar, Bali, between 4 November and 12 December, 2009. These fares are inclusive of fees and taxes (base fare is a heart-stopping $20). Usual ‘sale’ price for such fares is over $350 one way, so don’t hesitate. Run. Bring your mum and your best friend. You will not see this again.

View an example $124 return booking

We have encountered site issues, so something big is going on. Visit virginblue.com.au to book now.

Update (25/08/09): This offer has expired, congrats to all that got the cheap fares!

These sale fares should have you hanging out for Macau. Photo Credit: Henrik Berger Jørgensen

Viva Macau are well and truly back on the scene, offering fares from Sydney to Macau from $640 return including tax! As I’ve mentioned previously on this blog, Macau is a sensible alternative-entry point to Hong Kong and the rest of southern China, as an ‘express link’ service exists to transit passengers to Hong Kong via high-speed ferry. Read more about the ‘Express Link’ ferry service.

Sale is on now until 28th August, for travel between 1 October and 28 March, 2010. Blackout periods apply, so check Viva Macau for sale periods and to book.

Note too that that Viva Macau also offers flights onwards from Macau to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam (from $160), Jakarta, Indonesia (from $190) and two flights a week to Tokyo, Japan (from $571). All prices quoted are for return flights from Macau and include taxes, however you can book one-way segments with no penalty. Ka-ching!

Take yourself to Tokyo! Photo Credit: Ali Nishan

Malaysia Airlines have released their Global Getaway sale, for travel until June, 2010! Although I don’t think their fares to the UK and Europe are particularly flush with some of the ripper deals on right now, their Asia fares are certainly worth a squint. Some highlights include:

• Sydney to Tokyo for $822
• Sydney to Bangkok for $851
• Sydney to Johannesburg for $1710

All fares are for return flights and include taxes. Sale is on now until 4 September, for travel between 17 August – 30 November and 6 January – 30 June, 2010.

I’ve been on the prowl for ski-season sale fares to Tokyo, however I’ve found that while it’s easy to nab a cheap flight to Tokyo in February, finding a bargain fare back is less forgiving. So take note that some routes bay be blacked out during the sale period. Another note too is that I’m not a fan of their booking system. Their flexible date search feature doesn’t work, so have some patience. Hopefully those cheap fares will come to you. And once you’re done, don’t forget to flash your Virgin Blue Velocity card for frequent flyer point goodness!

Check out Malaysia Airlines’ sale page for details and to book. Bingo!

Tiger, Tiger, burning bright. In the fare war of the night. Photo Credit: Alan Chia

Hot on the heels of the Twitter news that Jetstar was upping its Melbourne (Tullamarine) frequency to 7 daily, a couple of crazy things have happened in the last 24 hours:

1. Jetstar gave away free Sydney - Melbourne fares to their Twitter followers
2. Jetstar offered $19 fares between Sydney and Melbourne (Tullamarine) during 8 – 10am today to everyone else; then
3. Tiger Airways announced $25 fares for the same route, until seats sell out.

In the last 6 months, airfares on the the Sydney – Melbourne trunk have hit rock-bottom faster than Britney Spears’ career. I now consider $39 one-way to be the top price to pay for a flight on this route, and with the fight now on between all the Australian low-cost carriers, this doesn’t look likely to change.

Sale is on now until 26 August, for travel between 4 October and 27 March, 2010. Check Tiger’s sale page for details and to book.

Make sure you check Adioso.com for the latest salvo in the Sydney – Melbourne fare war. I love the smell of a cheap fare in the morning!

Sydney flights on sale! Photo Credit: Christopher Chan

Virgin Blue have also announced a massive nationwide sale on their domestic and trans-Tasman routes. Their table of sale fares is so gargantuan that I’m having trouble identifying highlights to list here. In essence:

• Gold Coast – Sydney: $45
• Sydney – Townsville: $89
• Sydney – Christchurch: $169
• Canberra – Anywhere: Priceless (Joke!)

All fares are one-way and inclusive of taxes. Sale is on now until 31st August, or sold out, for domestic travel during 20 October to 10 December, 12 January to 25 March and 20 April to 24 June, 2010. Similar travel periods exist for the sale fares to New Zealand. Visit Virgin Blue’s sale page for the full spread and details.

Yes, I have a lot of love for Canberra folks, sorry guys!