Aussies - which airlines do you use?

[Amanda and Josh 12]

So what airline do you usually fly back to the states on? Do you book directly with the airline or do you have some other tip for the cheapest fares? When we first started dating it was like $1300 return and now it is nearly $2000 and with 4 of us moving, i need to look at all options. Also how did you guys get your stuff to the states?

[VanessaTony 3,567]

So what airline do you usually fly back to the states on? Do you book directly with the airline or do you have some other tip for the cheapest fares? When we first started dating it was like $1300 return and now it is nearly $2000 and with 4 of us moving, i need to look at all options. Also how did you guys get your stuff to the states?

I usually fly United as they usually turn out to be the cheapest. Flights will go down depending on when you're planning on moving. There are also some sales on a different times of the years.

Here's a US flight booking site: http://www.kayak.com/ that when you enter the "from" and "to" it shows you a calendar on the right and how much flights are that month. Some flights RETURN from MEL to LAX went down to $1300. i don't usually book through those sites but I will find out what airline is doing it and book through that airlines site directly.

Hopefully that helps!

As for moving stuff... I haven't had much luck with good prices so hope yu can find something!! I started this thread: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/293179-shipping-costs-aus-to-usa/ feel free to post there and see if anyone answers

Edited August 28, 2011 by Vanessa&Tony

[Derek and Callie 7]

I have founded United the cheapest at the moment, got my visa interview in 2 days, and then I am planning to book a flight 1-2 days after receiving my visa, looking at prices I dont think I will be paying more than $1650 (I have 10% off voucher so looking at around $1500. I just search directly on the United website and book through them.

[Austramerican 83]

United/Qantas here, I searched everything for the best price at around the time I went (Feb 2010) and I got my best price on orbitz with United for the first part and then Qantas once I was in Australia. It was no frills but it was the cheapest at the time at ~$1625 From DC to Adelaide

Kayak is a good site that Vanessa&Tony also recommended I second it!

Good luck

[Katie & Trev 3]

I flew V Australia the first time I went, which worked out to be $1300 in November, then the last time I flew I went United which was $1700 in June. That was from Brisbane to LAX both times. I found if you fly on a Tuesday/Wednesday it's cheaper for some reason.

I found United to be rude, right through from the check in desk, to the flight attendants, and they had no TVs on the plane (Both ways! Bris-LAX and LAX-Bris) so it was 15 hours of... Boredom. Felt sorry for any kids on the plane, there was nothing to do at all. If I get a choice when I do go out there again, V Australia all the way! The seats are a tiny bit wider and you get more room than United (flew Economy on all flights)

I use www.bestflights.com.au too. Kayak is good too but it's good to shop around to see what's best.

[together4evr 360]

Vayama.com gives me the best rates

i checked sydney to los angelas california and it says 1518.00 to leave on sept 12 and return date oc 0ct 14th.

I did not check one way tickets

and I do not know where you live.

good luck

[Travis and Meghan 24]

I'm lazy so i just go to my travel agent, lol. the first time i went over Adelaide-Sydney(QANTAS) sydeny to LAX (United) LAX to phoenix (skywest) all on on eticket and it cost me $2100 return in January this year. This time i'm going one way, Adelaide-New Zealand and New Zealand to LAX (air new zealand) and then LAX to PHoenix with i think skywest again.

I was really happy with United but that's probably jsut cos i was more happy to read the whole way. They do have TV's through out the cabin though and i was lucky enough to be sitting in a seat that it was easy to see it so i could watch it when i got sick of reading or listening to music.

Ohhhh, and i found the same thing as Katie and Trev, i flew on a wednesday in January because it was cheaper. I'm going back on a sunday this time though

[Amanda and Josh 12]

Thanks guys, I usually fly Delta (syndey, LAX, Cincinnati) and book direct. They have usually been the cheapest for me. I also liked that there was no terminal changes, just into the hub and out of the same hub. I decided it was time to broaden my horizons and see if I could shrink the budget!

[melissa87 0]

Expedia.com is a good site to check for the cheapest flights.

I'm using Grace Bros for moving my stuff - got a quote on 15 boxes for $1500 from Perth to Oregon.

[Ashton & Ben 1]

We have always flown with Qantas from Brisbane to LAX and American Airlines (their partner) through the states. We usually book directly through the Qantas website. I doubt they are cheapest but they have excellent customer service on the flight and great in-flight entertainment. I worked in the Brisbane International airport when I was living in Australia and I've heard that V Australia's LA flight is good as well though and when we first started looking it was several hundred dollars cheaper. We still ended up going with Qantas however because my fiance is a frequent flier and you earn a lot of miles on the Aus to US flights lol

Good luck finding a reasonable flight!

[VanessaTony 3,567]

Honestly on the "boredom" factor... I prefer boredom to saving a few hundred dollars

I take dramamine for the travel sickness (I don't get it bad just an unsettled stomach so trouble sleeping). I take my Kindle, and my iTouch. I make sure I have a jacket to keep me warm (with a hood to cover my face) and the in-flight blanket for my legs. Sometimes there's good movies on (the screens are on the bulkheads and also down the aisles but not on the backs of seats). Last time I took minties and milkyways on boards and bought a bottle of water once i was through security (total life saver). This all happened at once on the 3rd time I flew and it was SO much better. I slept, I didn't need to worry about asking for water. Food was okay but I had minties and milkyways to settle my stomach. Last time I flew with 2 weeks notice in September to November and it cost US$1100.

[Lainie B 465]

If you want the absolute cheapest one-way and you are willing to put up with inconvenient layovers, try looking at Jetstar to Honolulu ($700-800 one way from Melbourne, less from Sydney)then picking up a US airline from Honolulu to the mainland (there are plenty of great one-way deals from Honolulu). Or get yourself to Fiji and fly Air Pacific to the US. Unlike the typical Australia to US options that cost more for a one-way ticket than a return, these options have much better one-way deals.

I find http://matrix.itasoftware.com/ has the most extensive list of flights, though you can't book with this site. I use it to find the cheapest flights then book direct with the airline.

[SDuke 3]

I usually fly United/Qantas as they are usually around the same price - but even though Qantas have the individual TV sets - i have not been impressed with their customer service - i had hot coffee spilled on me during one flight (on an exposed arm) and i got a half hearted apology and told to go to the bathroom - no ice, no sincereness. United however, have incredible customer service - they are a lot more willing to rebook you on other flights etc and i have never had a problem with them. They lost my luggage once - i flew from JFK to SYD then ADELAIDE and my luggage went to London ha! But I told them i needed it as I had the wedding the next day and they had a courier drop it off to me at midnight. But either way, i just go with who is cheaper.

[Aloe 10]

I won't fly United anymore... I have had nothing but bad experiences with them in regard to service and mechanical issues with the planes. Just ONE flight I was on was delayed because they were having issues inside the cabin and once we were finally boarded and ON the runway the engine blew up! You can barely call what they have an entertainment system either and you are lucky if any of the 4 screens you can see actually work...

Qantas is ok I had no complaints with them and would fly them again.

V Australia SYD to LA, I have nothing but good things to say about them! From the AWESOME entertainment system, to the extra bit of space, to the food, to the service. It was fantastic! They couldn't seem to help me enough when there was a mess up with seats they quickly fixed the error and offered me a seat in the extra row or some sort of refund.. I took the Exit row

With kids I would definitley avoid United.

[Barbara J 115]

I flew Qantas and Delta 1st time cheapest back then but I got sick of changing airlines at LA so have flown Delta since and found them to be the cheapest whenever I have flown here to Atlanta. Just a matter of looking for the best deal and the day you want to fly. Mid week is always cheaper then the weekends (fri -sun)