Frequent Miler's latest team challenge, Million Mile Madness, is happening now! Follow us as Greg, Nick, and Stephen compete to earn 1 Million SAS miles by flying 15 airlines before November 23rd. Who will complete the challenge with the most Speed, Affordability, and Style?
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Update #2 [1/4/18]: Will Run for Miles reports that Air New Zealand has confirmed they are honoring this fare. Looks like good news for those who got in!
Update: Secret Flying reports prices from under $1300 round trip (see their post). See as well and check Skyscanner / Momondo for smaller online travel agencies.
Air New Zealand is running what looks like an awesome deal for business class flights to Australia from Chicago, with prices under $1500 round trip. That’s so low that I’d recommend holding off on making other nonrefundable plans until you’re sure the airline will honor the fare they are offering, though in the aftermath of Cathay Pacific honoring even crazier fares just days ago, I’d be hopefully optimistic here. That said, these fares will not last. If you’re interested, you’ll want to move to book right away.
The Deal
- Round trip business class flights from Chicago to Australia via Air New Zealand (or United) from just $1482 round trip (cheapest flights to Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane)
- Direct link to search Google Flights
Quick Thoughts
This is a fantastic fare. It is available directly via Google Flights, so I’d expect you can also find it via the Chase Travel Portal for about 100,000 Ultimate Rewards round trip if you have the Chase Sapphire Reserve card or via the Amex Travel portal, which would cost even less after the Business Platinum pay-with-points rebate.
Air New Zealand just recently launched this service, so it’s possible that this is a fare sale to drum up interest. However, you never know when an airline will claim that something is a mistake, so your best bet is to hold off on other nonrefundable expenses until you’re sure it will be honored.
According to wheretocredit.com, these flights ought to earn more than 100% mileage flown in many different programs (and as much as 200% in Virgin Atlantic Flying Club or Avianca LifeMiles). On a round trip, that could be almost 40,000 redeemable miles earned in those programs (without any status).
H/T: One Mile at a Time
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Hi Nick, I knew you are a kinda MS guy, I have a question here. Marriott is dead to me to actually stay. after merger. do you know if ms $75K on spg luxury card will trigger platinum status? I knew amex is getting strict. Have you ever ms for marriott status or spending $40K on hilton for diamond? Thank you.