With limited time on your adventure Downunder, flying is the fastest and usually, the least expensive way to travel through the country. Planning your adventure before you buy your airplane tickets with our cheap flights to Australia can save money.
Other than Qantas, airlines that offer cheap flights to Australia internationally do not fly within Australia. Consider the options for flying domestically in Australia when planning your travel.
Aussie AirPass
Qantas' Aussie AirPass is a promotional airfare that allows 3 pre-booked flights in Australia for what is often the lowest price of a round-trip ticket. If you're planning to visit three or more Australian destinations, the AirPass can offer exceptional savings compared to economy class airfare.
The cost of a Qantas AirPass is based on the time of year you're traveling (May is least expensive, December to mid-February have the highest fares) and the cities (priced according to zones) within Australia you visit.
An Aussie AirPass is only available through AirBank, a travel professional or Qantas. The 3 flights within Australia must be booked when purchasing the pass and changes are not allowed. Availability for the AirPass is extremely limited – Qantas offers only a few passes on each international and domestic flight.
The long-haul flight on the AirPass begins in Los Angeles, San Francisco or New York - and starting in May 2011, Dallas-Fort Worth, when service from San Francisco will end - but low-cost "add-on" fares from major cities are available. International travelers are allowed 2 checked pieces of baggage on every flight operated by Qantas.
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Virgin Blue AirPass
Virgin Blue's AirPass is available only to international visitors and must be purchased before you depart for Australia. It can be used with cheap flights to Australia on any airline and offers substantial savings on domestic flights.
A minimum of 3 and no more than 8 flights within Australia can be included on each AirPass. The pass is non-refundable, but reservations can be changed up to 24 hours before departure for no fee. On a VirginBlue AirPass, one checked bag is included on each flight.
Jetstar
Jetstar is owned by Qantas and operates as Qantas' low-cost airline. Jetstar tickets allow only one checked bag. On-board refreshments are served for a fee.
Regional Airlines
There are several regional airlines in Australia that service the more exotic destinations and smaller airports. Each airline has its own luggage restrictions.
Reduce your costs with savings tips for add-on flights to Los Angeles or San Francisco:
You may have to fly to Los Angeles to connect to your flight to Australia. With today's excessive charges for checked luggage and other amenities on flights within the US, the total add-on cost of a flight to San Francisco or Los Angeles can be quite high.
Checked luggage charges are quite complex, are different for each airline and are in a state of flux.
Usually, two pieces of checked luggage, each weighing less than 50lbs, are allowed on flights to Australia.
To reduce your additional fees, try to find code-share flights offered by the international airline for the connecting flight from your home airport to Los Angeles.
For example: if you uncover a cheap flight to Australia on Delta Air Lines with a flight from your first airport on Delta, your luggage can be checked all the way through to Sydney from your home airport and you will not be charged a checked luggage fee for the flight to Los Angeles.
If however, you find the least expensive flight to Australia includes a flight to Los Angeles on Spirit, AirTran, American or a non-code-share partner for your international flight, your flight from your home airport may be considered a domestic flight and you could be charged checked luggage fees. Additionally, you may have to claim your luggage in Los Angeles and carry it to the international terminal for your flight to Australia.
If you are taking 2 pieces of luggage to Australia, any checked bag fees on US domestic flights might easily increase the cost of your tickets by an additional $120 round-trip.
Checked baggage fees on domestic Australian flights:
When purchasing airfare to Australia from the US and Canada on Qantas, travelers can also check up to 2 pieces of luggage on every Qantas domestic flight at no additional charge. If your international flight to Australia is on a different airline, you will be limited to one complementary checked bag on domestic Qantas flights.
The other domestic airlines in Australia – regional airlines, JetStar and VirginBlue – have lower checked luggage allowances and depending on your ticket, they may charge for all checked luggage.
ETA Visa requirements
If you are traveling with a US passport, you must apply for an Australian ETA Visa before departing for Australia. Application is made directly to the ETA office on-line and approval is usually instantaneous. The fee is $20 AUD.
Apply for your Visa at least a month in advance of your travel – if your application is denied, you will be required to forward supporting information to the Australian Embassy.
New Zealand, Tahiti and Fiji do not require visas for vacationers traveling with a US passport.
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