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Airfare deals are typically only available on limited dates. We recommend you use Google Flights to find dates to fly, then book through an online travel agency, such as Orbitz or Expedia, which allows you to cancel flights without penalty by 11pm Eastern Time within one day of booking. However, if you’re using the American Express Platinum Card, you’ll need to book directly with the airline or through Amex Travel portal to get 5x MR points. Remember: Fares may disappear quickly, so book right away and take advantage of Orbitz or Expedia’s courtesy cancellation if you’re unable to get the time away from work or family.
If you got in on the Air New Zealand error fare to Australia back in September only to see it cancelled a few days later, here’s another way to get down to the Australasia region without breaking the bank. Hawaiian Air is currently offering great prices on trips to Auckland, New Zealand (AKL) from multiple cities on the West Coast, including San Francisco (SFO), Phoenix (PHX), Seattle (SEA), Las Vegas (LAS) and Los Angeles (LAX) starting as low as $716 round-trip in economy.
What’s really interesting about this fare is that it can be booked as two separate one-ways, and sometimes by doing so, the price gets even cheaper. So if you wanted to book with cash in one direction and use points or miles for an award redemption in the other direction, this is a great chance to do it.
You’ll find most of these airfares from November through September 2018, and you don’t need any tricks to get these prices. So just use Google Flights to pick the dates you want — again, make sure you search for the legs as one-ways to see if the price is lower that way — then book on Orbitz, Expedia or directly with Hawaiian itself.
Airline: Hawaiian Airlines
Routes: SFO/SEA/PDX/LAX/LAS to AKL
Cost: $716+ round-trip in economy
Dates: January-September
Booking Link: Orbitz, Expedia or with the airline directly
Pay With: The Platinum Card from American Express (5x on airfare), Chase Sapphire Reserve, Citi Prestige (3x on airfare) or Chase Sapphire Preferred (2x on travel)
Here are a few examples of what you can book:
San Francisco (SFO) to Auckland, New Zealand (AKL) for $716 round-trip via Orbitz:
Phoenix (PHX) to Auckland, New Zealand (AKL) for $791 round-trip via Orbitz:
Seattle (SEA) to Auckland, New Zealand (AKL) for $791 round-trip via Orbitz:
Las Vegas (LAS) to Auckland, New Zealand (AKL) for $791 round-trip via Orbitz:
Los Angeles (LAX) to Auckland, New Zealand (AKL) for $455 one-way via Orbitz:
Maximize Your Purchase
Don’t forget to use a credit card that earns additional points on airfare purchases, such as the American Express Platinum Card (5x on flights booked directly with airlines or American Express Travel), Chase Sapphire Reserve, or Citi Prestige (3x on airfare) or the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card (2x on all travel purchases). Check out this post for more on maximizing airfare purchases.
If you’re able to score one of these tickets, please share the good news in the comments below!
H/T: The Flight Deal
Featured image by AsianDream/Getty Images.
With great travel benefits, 2x points on travel & dining and a 50,000 point sign up bonus, the Chase Sapphire Preferred is a great card for those looking to get into the points and miles game. Here are the top 5 reasons it should be in your wallet, or read our definitive review for more details.
- Earn 50,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $625 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®
- Chase Sapphire Preferred named "Best Credit Card for Flexible Travel Redemption" - Kiplinger's Personal Finance, June 2018
- 2X points on travel and dining at restaurants worldwide & 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases.
- No foreign transaction fees
- 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
- Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Ultimate Rewards. For example, 50,000 points are worth $625 toward travel
- No blackout dates or travel restrictions - as long as there's a seat on the flight, you can book it through Chase Ultimate Rewards
Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
Disclaimer: The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser’s responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.
