Travelzoo has a nice sale on Air New Zealand flights from Canada to New Zealand and to Australia.
Until today (Dec. 3, 2024) at midnight, take advantage of reduced Air New Zealand fares from Vancouver. Nonstop roundtrip flights to Auckland are $1395 CAD. The sale also lets you fly to other cities in New Zealand from $99. You’ll have 18 destinations to choose from, including Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown.
Travel on select dates from April–October. Air New Zealand is the only carrier offering nonstop service during this period.
Travelzoo said the price saves over $600 compared to what they usually see on these routes. Flights to Australia are on sale, too.
Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, Calgary and Edmonton departures can be arranged on Air New Zealand’s website.
Premium Economy and Business Premier flights are also on sale, starting at $3799 roundtrip. All flights include checked luggage, in-flight meals, drinks and entertainment.
Book by Tuesday, Dec. 3, 11:59 p.m. PT.
Mount Maunganui, New Zealand. JIM BYERS PHOTO
QANTAS SALE TO AUSTRALIA, TOO
Australia’s national carrier, Qantas, today announced a Travel Tuesday sale with discounted nonstop flights from Canada to Australia from C$1499*.
The sale will launch on Travel Tuesday (3 December 2024) and run through 9 December 2024. Discounted fares will be available across all cabins for varying travel periods in 2024 and 2025.
Fares are available for sale at qantas.com. Selected travel dates and days apply.
Some of the Vancouver-Sydney sale fares (starting from) include:
Fare Type Sale Fare (round-trip)
Economy From C$1499* round trip
Premium Economy From C$3,199* round trip
Business From C$6,299* round trip
Qantas international fares include checked baggage, amenity kits, premium food and beverage sourced from Australian producers, and inflight entertainment as standard with every booking.
Qantas operates three round trip flights per week year-round from Vancouver to Sydney. Flights operate Monday, Wednesday and Saturday aboard the Dreamliner, offering an Economy, Premium Economy and spacious Business cabin featuring fully lie-flat beds and 1-2-1 seating allowing direct aisle access.
*The Qantas Travel Tuesday Sale ends 11.59pm (PST) on 9 December 2024, unless sold out prior. Selected travel dates and days apply and fares may not be available on all flights or days. Blackout periods apply. Visit qantas.com for full terms and conditions.
The zoo in Sydney, Australia. JIM BYERS PHOTO
SNOWBIRDS TO FLORIDA
I had an item the other day that showed Florida has three destinations in the top 10 places Canadians are booking for winter trips. Fort Myers was first, followed by Fort Lauderdale and Orlando. That’s despite a very low Canadian dollar.
Now comes a note from the Canadian Snowbird Association, which says Canadians continue to travel to the U.S. sunbelt despite the Canadian dollar being at a four-year low against the U.S. greenback.
“The snowbird market is less sensitive to changes in currency, when compared to the traditional leisure travel market,” said Garry McDonald, president of the Canadian Snowbird Association. “I think you’ll see Canadian snowbirds adapt, as they always have, and make the necessary changes in their discretionary spending.”
The Canadian dollar is currently trading at $ .71 (U.S.).
“In the early 2000’s, the Canadian dollar bottomed out at 62 cents U.S. and that certainly did not stop snowbirds from heading to their winter homes,’ said McDonald. “We expect more of the same this season as snowbirds make their annual trips stateside.”
The Juno Beach Pier in Florida. JIM BYERS PHOTO
