the game date falls within the travel deal period. the sample lowest fare shown is for LA/SF to Melbourne but Sydney also available. Combine this with the ground-only travel package deals I posted on the Bears Without Borders thread.

http://www.airnewzealand.com/australia-sale

Those are very good fares. Went to Oz in 1988 and paid $700 for round trip SFO-Sydney with hops to Brisbane and Cairns.

Some Aussies were totally hammered on the outbound flight from SFO. They were tossing full Foster's oil cans to each other across rows and aisles. Got cuffed and frog marched out to wild applause during a scheduled refueling in Hawaii.

Note: All routes include a stop in Auckland, New Zealand. Flights from Chicago, Boston and Washington, D.C. are two stops.

http://www.travelzoo.com/airfare/international/-883-up-Ends-3-31-Australia-Fares-on-Sale-Save-300-2232911/?tz_cs=FS_C1

I travel to Oz a lot and that's an EXCELLENT fare. Normally a RT to Sydney runs $1200-$1500 and higher in our winter/their summer.

Also Air New Zealand is one of the best airlines in the world and vastly superior to flying United or Delta to Australia. Hey also have a fantastic lounge at LAX and, I think, SFO. If you're going to Oz, it's a no brainier. And the layover in Auckland isn't bad. it's a great airport with lots of All Blacks merch for sale...and it breaks up the long flight by stopping in Auckland. But beware of the Maori massages in the airport. You'll be sore for days!

With this deal, I'm taking my wife to Melbourne! Thanks for the heads up!

travelingbears;842672481 said:

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With this deal, I'm taking my wife to Melbourne! Thanks for the heads up!

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I lived in Melbourne for a year (and recently) so if you need any help on places to stay, neighborhoods to explore, side trips to take or places to eat, feel free to PM me. And Melbourne is awesome...my favorite place on earth.

BearBackerinLA;842672282 said:

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the game date falls within the travel deal period. the sample lowest fare shown is for LA/SF to Melbourne but Sydney also available. Combine this with the ground-only travel package deals I posted on the Bears Without Borders thread.

http://www.airnewzealand.com/australia-sale

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I missed out on this deal.

Any hope or news of a similar airfare deal opening up again to Sydney or Auckland for the week before the game in August?

jaccpot10;842674890 said:

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I missed out on this deal.

Any hope or news of a similar airfare deal opening up again to Sydney or Auckland for the week before the game in August?

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In the past, I have gotten good leads on international fares at this one-stop shop:

http://www.momondo.com

For example, they show a pretty reasonable non-stop student fare on Qantas, and even cheaper fares on Air Canada. Not as cheap as the Air New Zealand fares, but not much higher. They search multiple sites, kinda like Kayak. Disclaimer: I can't vouch for all the sites they link to.

I also like this site, which I don't think momondo searches:

http://www.vayama.com

Other tips:

I've often found better international fares (going to Europe or Africa) out of LAX, even factoring in the separate domestic flight to LA. However, a quick look now shows no significant difference between LAX and SFO fares to Oz.

OskiDeLaHoya;842674911 said:

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In the past, I have gotten good leads on international fares at this one-stop shop:

http://www.momondo.com

For example, they show a pretty reasonable non-stop student fare on Qantas, and even cheaper fares on Air Canada. Not as cheap as the Air New Zealand fares, but not much higher. They search multiple sites, kinda like Kayak. Disclaimer: I can't vouch for all the sites they link to.

I also like this site, which I don't think momondo searches:

http://www.vayama.com

Other tips:

I've often found better international fares (going to Europe or Africa) out of LAX, even factoring in the separate domestic flight to LA. However, a quick look now shows no significant difference between LAX and SFO fares to Oz.

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Thank you!

jaccpot10;842675064 said:

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Thank you!

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Watch out for vayama. I've had problems with them in the past if you have to change your flight. I always seatch those sites but if the lowest price or close to is the airlines website, I just book through them.

Delta has a $675 fare from nyc to Sydney, min ten day stay and valid until nov 30. Didn't try to price from lax but might be available.

WildBear;842675069 said:

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Watch out for vayama. I've had problems with them in the past if you have to change your flight. I always seatch those sites but if the lowest price or close to is the airlines website, I just book through them.

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I too have had really bad experiences changing international flights with Vayama. Be careful.

TheSouseFamily;842675126 said:

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I too have had really bad experiences changing international flights with Vayama. Be careful.

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Just curious, but how bad could it be? I've used online brokers like Travelocity and Expedia and CheapoAir in the past, and my experience has been that they are all a pain when it comes to changing international airfare. Like you have to pay the broker an expensive change fee, and that's in addition to whatever the airline charges you.

jaccpot10;842675136 said:

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Just curious, but how bad could it be? I've used online brokers like Travelocity and Expedia and CheapoAir in the past, and my experience has been that they are all a pain when it comes to changing international airfare. Like you have to pay the broker an expensive change fee, and that's in addition to whatever the airline charges you.

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Several reasons. An example: last year I was in Stockholm and the day prior to departure, I needed to extend my trip by a day. After spending about 30 mins on the phone with Vayama, they told me they couldn't help and that I had to call the airline. But the airline referred me back to Vayama. After another long hold and scant information from customer service, they said they would email me in 24 hours what they can do about my ticket. Well great but my flight was scheduled to leave in 16 hours. So the airline couldn't change my ticket and Vayama (per their rules apparently) needs 24 hours for changes. I had no options. The best resolution for me in this case was to buy another new ticket and just use half of it.

Vayama is fine if you stick to your itinerary but you can find yourself in a world of hurt if you change anything. I fly a lot particularly internationally and never has a change been so difficult. The whole thing was bizarre and incredibly frustrating

Lots of complaints about Vayama too if you google it. Known for horrendous customer service and I can vouch for it.

$417 from SFo-Sydney:

http://www.secretflying.com/2016/04/error-fare-usa-australia-417-return/

Unfortunately not during August...

Edit: ~$715 during July/August

TheSouseFamily;842672490 said:

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I lived in Melbourne for a year (and recently) so if you need any help on places to stay, neighborhoods to explore, side trips to take or places to eat, feel free to PM me. And Melbourne is awesome...my favorite place on earth.

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Told my boss (based in Melbourne) that I'm taking my wife to Melbourne/Sydney for a couple weeks in May for personal vacation, and she offered to pay for my flight if I work one day in their office. I already had plans to work a few hours in the office for a day or two anyway... win-win! =D

I'm expected to go back in June/July/August anyway for a project...

Yes, Delta has good pricing. I did the $580 rt from SFO with a stop in LAX a couple nights ago. I booked via priceline. Found the original deal via a friend's posting of http://www.theflightdeal.com/2016/04/07/virgin-australia-580-san-francisco-sydney-australia-roundtrip-including-all-taxes/

UA is having some insane deals from Delta hubs to Sydney. Just booked $580 RT from Seattle to Sydney. Wow!

NWBear90;842676045 said:

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UA is having some insane deals from Delta hubs to Sydney. Just booked $580 RT from Seattle to Sydney. Wow!

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I just booked that deal for 380 per person

NWBear90;842676045 said:

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UA is having some insane deals from Delta hubs to Sydney. Just booked $580 RT from Seattle to Sydney. Wow!

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I'm seeing a $725 round trip deal from LAX to Sydney on Kayak. Not as good as $580, but good enough.

How's the Delta flight to AU? United sucks and I'd much prefer flying Qantas (partners with American) and Air NZ.

They had a one morning mistake fare for $210 from lax or sfo. Gone now. Hitting guy next to me over the head for not booking it. United and delta both suck. I'd def try to get quay as but best bet might be virgin Australia.

It's back.
$416 LAX-Sydney.
$412 SFO-Sydney.

Round trip. Includes all taxes and fees.

http://www.secretflying.com/2016/04/error-fare-los-angeles-sydney-australia-416-roundtrip/

Mr. Triangle;842683820 said:

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It's back.
$416 LAX-Sydney.
$412 SFO-Sydney.

Round trip. Includes all taxes and fees.

http://www.secretflying.com/2016/04/error-fare-los-angeles-sydney-australia-416-roundtrip/

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Damn.

I already bought my LAX-AKL-SYD ticket. I'd forego the extra few days in New Zealand, though, for that super cheap $412 nonstop fare from LAX-SYD.