Emiric

Hi All
Looking for flights for 4 of us about second week in Jan..
Have a nearly 3 year old and a 1.5 old..Would it be best to pay for the extra seat for the youngest? long way on our laps!
Also would you book now or take a gamble nearer the time.
Have been getting quotes for about 2000 k for 4 seats..

slipshot

Hi - we are flying on 13 Jan from H/row to Melbourne and paid 2.7k for 2 adults, 2 kids plus one infant. Direct with Singapore Airlines - cheapest with the exception of Thai and I prefer SA...

I don;t think prices will change but flights were getting busy when I booked and you'll either get lucky and get a cheap one, but are you willing to risk it. Id say you have the strong potential of having to change your ETD or paying a lot more due to lack of choice nearer the time...

The Bloke

www.expedia.co.uk/default.aspx
www.austravel.com
www.lowfares.com

You'll just have to fill in the blanks.

If you book nearer the time, it will usually cost more because all the cheaper seats have usually gone long ago.

Dazster

Yes - I can recommend paying the extra to get a seat for your infant! We did this and can't imagine how tough it would have been had we not done so.

Another tip I always give, for what it's worth to you, is; book your accommodation THEN your flights. You may well have done this already, but it makes sense to find and book accommodation before arranging your flights. There are flights every day - but accommodation might not be available every day.

Cheers,
Dazster

Also for what it's worth - we flew out with Emirates and, we personally, couldn't fault them.

Pollyana

Flight prices drop from the Christmas high usually on the 16th Jan, so if you can fly after that date you may find them slightly cheaper.

slipshot

I've heard this before but as we had no set time or date when we needed to fly, I tried dates between 10 - 30 Jan '09 and the prices barely changed at all. The 16 Jan date, if it existed in the past, does not seem to anymore. Virtually every price was determined by the day (ie Friday's being more expeinsive than a Tuesday for example) but nothing else seemed to make a difference. This was with all airlines through the usual search engines... bit of a bummer really...

Emiric

Thanks all for your replies.
Booked a flight with Cathay Pacific in the end for the 15th Jan for 2000 pounds,not bad.
Only prob was only got 20k each.

MrCro

try travelmood and lees travel club had good deals off both of them in past.

someone also mentioned travelzoo recently but not tried it for Oz flights yet.

good luck

Dazster

Did you book online? If so, give Cathay Pacific a call and explain you are a new immigrant - they may have a double-baggage allowance service for new immigrants. I know Emirates do this - but you have to contact one of their staff directly who will up your allowance as long as you can prove you are emigrating (i.e. scanned copy of your passport visa label or visa grant letter).

Regards,
Dazster

PoppetUK

Definitely a seat for the 18 month old and if you can take a car seat just for the flight. Was a god send for us (we've always bought seats from 11months up). Do a search on here and you'll see lots of tips about flying with little ones.

Good luck.

PoppetUK

Depends if you have already travelled on that visa already and normally only on one way tickets. Worth a shot though

Sunshine Coast Settlers

Emirates or their sister company El Etihad are both fantastic airlines and although thay are not perfect they both have very good reviews.

Emiric

Tried to get extra baggage when we booked, they said because we have a cheaper seat we coulnt get any more..maybe i should call the airline personally!

Dazster

Yes - that's what I meant - Cathay Pacific. I'd assumed you'd booked directly with the airline. Are you new immigrants emigrating for the first time?

IvanM

And they go down a lot more after Australia day.