OK y’all… it’s getting to the pointy end of the planning stick.  I’ve had a few of you contact me after being given quotes on flights for amounts between $2,500 to $3,000 round trip.  Eeeeeeeek!  Even at peak times this is high pricing, and considering this is not my first rodeo I thought I’d put some tips together to help you all save some dollars / pounds:

1. when searching for flights, do the LA to Sydney or Melbourne / London to Sydney or Melbourne  first.  You can fly to either of these major hubs depending on costs or if you’re keen to explore one of those cities at the beginning or end of your trip.  Right now I’m getting results for round trips from $1,750 to $1,900 (US) / £1,020 (UK).  I’ve based the date range as departing the States or London around the 29th December and leaving around the 11th Jan.  It helps to be open to searching a day or so on either side or to flying on NYE or New Years Day to save dollars.

2.  book the domestic flights separately.  I don’t know why, but it always comes in several hundred dollars when you do a search as a bundle (e.g. the Denver – LA / Sydney – Hobart bits) than as individual bookings.  Be careful with the Australian budget airlines though – they are notorious arseholes with baggage (as in, no free check, smaller than US allowances for carry-on etc).

3.  try to find a family member or friend who will sell you 80,000 frequent flyer points.  My network are tapped out, but you’d be surprised how many folk out there are prepared to sell points for cash.  I lucked out once and got a return flight from a mate with loads of points for $1,000; $1,500 would be more than a fair offer so it’s worth thinking who you know who might have accrued a tonne but maybe isn’t using them.

4.  if you know a friend who is a pilot, ask if they’d consider putting you on their “buddy” system.  I got round trip tickets for under $900 on this scheme once.  It’s a little risky because you’re on stand-by but might be worth exploring…

After a bit of a chaotic re-entry to the States, I’m back in the swing of things, and it looks like a solid crew of you beautiful people are going to be part of this adventure.  I can. not. wait.

Andi xx