October 19, 2004 -- You've dreamed of a trip Down Under for years -- now it's time to make that dream a reality. There has never been a better time to start planning your Australian vacation thanks to the Qantas Aussie AirPass (888/505-6252; www.qantasusa.com).
The AirPass simplifies your journey by providing standardized low-priced fares that include your international airfare from the US and three domestic flights within Australia.
With the Qantas Airpass, you can have the freedom to explore Australia at your own pace and choose your destinations, from cosmopolitan cities to pristine beaches, rainforests to outback adventures.
Obviously there are some rules and regulations, but the Airpass is an easy and inexpensive way to tour the country. It's available throughout the year but prices vary according to the season.
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Low Season is November 1 to December 9, 2004; April 26 to June 17 and July 19 to August 26, 2005.
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Shoulder Season is from now until October 31, 2004, February 23 to April 25, June 18 to July 18 and August 27 to September 30, 2005.
- High Season is December 10 to 14, 2004 and January 17 to February 22, 2005. Blackout dates are December 15, 2004 to January 16, 2005.
Qantas has divided its Australian destinations into three zones. The Airpass pricing includes a roundtrip economy flight from Los Angeles or Honolulu, plus up to three Australian domestic flights within one or more zones. If all your flights are within one zone, the price will be cost of that zone only. If any of your flights go into multiple zones, the price will be the cost of the highest priced zone you fly to.
Zone One destinations include Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Gold Coast, Hobart, Launceston and Canberra.
- Low Season: $999
- Shoulder Season: $1,299
- High Season: $1,599
Zone Two includes Cairns, Townsville and Hamilton Island (Great Barrier Reef destinations), Alice Springs, Ayers Rock, and Darwin (Northern Territory).
- Low Season: $1,199
- Shoulder Season: $1,499
- High Season: $1,799
Zone Three features the West Australian destinations of Perth and Broome.
- Low Season: $1,399
- Shoulder Season: $1,699
- High Season: $1,999
Taxes and fees of approximately $137 are additional. The base price is for departures out of either Los Angeles or Honolulu. You'll hae to add $50 for departures from San Francisco; $150 from Las Vegas, Phoenix, Portland, or Seattle; $220 from Dallas or Denver; $260 from Chicago or St. Louis; and $300 from Boston, Miami, Newark or Washington, D.C.
You can also add more Australian domestic flights to your trip for just $100 per flight. Minimum stay is seven-days, maximum is 21 days, however you may extend to one month for an additional fee of US$200.
Date and time changes are available at a cost of $100, but you cannot re-route your itinerary once confirmed. Reservations for all sectors must be confirmed at least 30-days before departure although the advance purchase period has been reduced to three days for departures until November 30, 2004. The Airpass must be purchased by December 31, 2004.
Australian tourism information and tour packages using the Qantas Aussie Airpass are available at www.australia.com.
Do you have questions or comments about this new product? Share your thoughts on our Air Travel Message Boards today.
