Perth Flights - Investigating a Group Booking

[crocoduck]

At Daro's suggestion I'm checking if we could get cheaper flights for Perth Atheists Meetup group using a group booking. Am waiting on a response from Qantas. Virgin don't appear to offer cheaper deals for groups, unless we are thinking of chartering our own plane. (May be necessary if the speaker list keeps going the way it is!)

FYI the best deals I can see currently avail today on www.webjet.com (http://www.webjet.com) for an individual booking are -


Perth- Melb Virgin Fri 13/4/12 dep 6.20 am arrive 11.55 am $189 no check in bags, $201 w/ checked bags
Melb - Per Virgin Sun 15/4/12 dep 8.30 pm arrive 10.45 pm Same prices

Total return $378 no check in bags (carry on bags only) ; $402 with check in bags



Will let you know when Qantas get back to me on the group booking enquiry, but I think Virgin will be cheapest, tho Qantas have better flight times. (A Qantas flight will leave at lunchtime and get there just in time for the start)

Group bookings have to travel on the same flight. ie we can't unfortunately use a group code and book on same day but different flight times. Some people will need to work the Friday and miss the opening of the convention Friday evening (a great pity.. they had great comedians last time, and it's always nice to be there right at the start, a lovely atmosphere in the room!). Some will be able to go earlier, and won't want to miss the start, so a decision on the flight over would not suit everyone. Coming back the flights are easier to choose as the evening flights are the cheapest anyway.

Webjet are also showing cheapest hotel deals with $81 a night at Nomads All Nations backpackers (close to convention centre)


I dont have any experience with group bookings so if anyone has any advice or tips please let me know. It may come to no cheaper but just letting you know I should get a response back from Qantas by tomorrow.

[Darwinsbulldog]

Interested, but I think Mrs DB and myself were going into Me-BUN a day or so sooner?

[crocoduck]

Interested, but I think Mrs DB and myself were going into Me-BUN a day or so sooner?


Same for me DB, I am waiting to see about volunteering and whether it's viable to get to the training.

I will try to find the best available price for groups and put it out there for people to compare. It may not be viable, as we may all have different priorities juggling day, time, and price. Also I dont know yet if we have to have one type of check in baggage for all and whether we can opt in or out of insurance individually.

This thread could become a point for people to check if they have same flights if they want travelling companions.:)

[Quark]

I'm new to the forum, but I'll also be flying over from Perth. May be interested in the flights if you decide to go with Qantas. I'll keep an eye on this thread, but it's great to see others heading over for the event!

[Darwinsbulldog]

Same for me DB, I am waiting to see about volunteering and whether it's viable to get to the training.

I will try to find the best available price for groups and put it out there for people to compare. It may not be viable, as we may all have different priorities juggling day, time, and price. Also I dont know yet if we have to have one type of check in baggage for all and whether we can opt in or out of insurance individually.

This thread could become a point for people to check if they have same flights if they want travelling companions.:)

Wot training? Eeek....., this old fart has missed summat! You mean for volunteers?

[Daro]

This might be of interest to a few people:
http://www.lifehacker.com.au/2011/08/get-qantas-frequent-flyer-membership-for-free/

Unsure when I'll fly over just yet. I'm hoping to catch some comedy festival shows while I'm there, so fingers crossed I'll stay a little over 2 weeks.

I'm interested in sharing a hotel room with others.

[crocoduck]

I have received a quote from Qantas.

Option 1

Flight QF802 Fri 13/4 dep PER 11.50am arrive MEL 5.25pm
Flight QF773 Sun 15/4 dep MEL 5.45pm arrive PER 7.55pm

Total cost $724.26


Option 2

Flight QF776 Fri 13/4 dep PER 6.10pm arr MEL 11.45pm
Flight QF773 Sun 15/4 dep MEL 5.45pm arr PER 7.55pm (same as option 1)

Total cost $833.16

Both quotes incl taxes and normal baggage allowance. Other conditions apply to each. A minimum of ten people would be needed for the booking. Frequent Flyer points can't be used. Quote is valid for 15 days from today.

Definitely not the cheapest available. The flight time in option 1 is very good for arriving in time for the start at 6pm. I'm putting it out there for your comments.

[crocoduck]

I have received a quote from Qantas.

Option 1

Flight QF802 Fri 13/4 dep PER 11.50am arrive MEL 5.25pm
Flight QF773 Sun 15/4 dep MEL 5.45pm arrive PER 7.55pm

Total cost $724.26


Option 2

Flight QF776 Fri 13/4 dep PER 6.10pm arr MEL 11.45pm
Flight QF773 Sun 15/4 dep MEL 5.45pm arr PER 7.55pm (same as option 1)

Total cost $833.16

Both quotes incl taxes and normal baggage allowance. Other conditions apply to each. A minimum of ten people would be needed for the booking. Frequent Flyer points can't be used. Quote is valid for 15 days from today.

Definitely not the cheapest available. The flight time in option 1 is very good for arriving in time for the start at 6pm. I'm putting it out there for your comments.


ADD: After speaking further with the Qantas rep, Option 1 could be reduced to $615.36 but if the group was large it might have to be split over two returning flights, one departing an hour later than the stated one.

She said the cheapest class of fares appear to be blocked out at this time. Not sure if they will be available later, or if it's because they are anticipating high demand because of the Melbourne Comedy Festival or other events.

[Darwinsbulldog]

I am also interested in the fringe events, so both accommodation and flight dates cannot be finalised until then.

[Dan]

I plan to arrive on Wednesday at the latest. I like to explore the food and drink options around Melbourne before hand.

[Darwinsbulldog]

AS far as the [Singapore] Oz Flying Wallaby is concerned, there is said to be industrial action from now to XMas. So it looks like a long campaign of industrial action.

[Darwinsbulldog]

Looks good to me Protes...

[Mother of Chaos]

Bloody hell I posted this on the 15th "Virgin still have cheap flights from Perth $378 return. Qantas $438. $60.00 more than virgin. But includes checkin baggage and you get food plus crappy movie lol."

Qantas prices have jumped a bit and are filling up plus a few have hurry flashing 5 seats or less left. So booked virgin leaving Perth 6:20am on the 12th return tue 17th 1:00pm total cost was $423.95 with check on baggage and ins.

[crocoduck]

Bloody hell I posted this on the 15th "Virgin still have cheap flights from Perth $378 return. Qantas $438. $60.00 more than virgin. But includes checkin baggage and you get food plus crappy movie lol."

Qantas prices have jumped a bit and are filling up plus a few have hurry flashing 5 seats or less left. So booked virgin leaving Perth 6:20am on the 12th return tue 17th 1:00pm total cost was $423.95 with check on baggage and ins.

Sounds like a very good deal Louise.

[crocoduck]

Wot training? Eeek....., this old fart has missed summat! You mean for volunteers?


DB, unless I dreamt it I think I read somewhere on this forum that the MCEC requires volunteers to do health and safety training, like fire doors and exits etc, before they will let you loose.

[Mother of Chaos]

$79.00 to park at the bloody airport :eek:

[Daro]

I plan on going Friday 13 April ($189 or $219) to Mon 30 April ($189) with Virgin, hoping to catch some comedy festival shows etc.

I'd be eager to fly and stay with others. I'll discuss with others at this Sunday's Impromptu Lunch, and hopefully others will be interested, and we can book that night.

Finally starting to get excited about this. :)

[two dogs]

...
Finally starting to get excited about this. :)
Finally? I started getting excited about this when it was first mooted (http://www.atheistfoundation.org.au/forums/showpost.php?p=111465&postcount=1) over a year ago. :D