September/October 2013 check in

[PrincessInOz]

Thanks to Kristin5 for mentioning the direct Air NZ AKL-SFO flight!! We are now going to fly to San Francisco, stay 2 nights, go to Yosemite, then to LA before heading to Florida. Yay!!!

DH was watching something on TV last night about the Golden Gate Bridge and wanted to know if we were going back to San Francisco. This is his 5th trip and the first time he has ever actually wanted to do something. Personally I would rather be going to NYC, but am excited to be going to Yosemite. I have already booked Yosemite Lodge.

Still have not booked the flights. We can only get the cheaper fare on the first flight. I have realised the date we are coming home is the last weekend of NZ school holidays so probably why that flight is full price. I find airfares stressful, the waiting and the gamble.

Congrats Jade! Sounds like your plans are taking shape.

 

[Jade+3]

Thanks PIO. May need your expert advice on a whirlwind trip to SanFrancisco.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Thanks PIO. May need your expert advice on a whirlwind trip to SanFrancisco.

Happy to help....but I do tend to do off-the-beaten track a little these days.

Where are you staying?

 

[Kristin5]

Thanks to Kristin5 for mentioning the direct Air NZ AKL-SFO flight!! We are now going to fly to San Francisco, stay 2 nights, go to Yosemite, then to LA before heading to Florida. Yay!!!

DH was watching something on TV last night about the Golden Gate Bridge and wanted to know if we were going back to San Francisco. This is his 5th trip and the first time he has ever actually wanted to do something. Personally I would rather be going to NYC, but am excited to be going to Yosemite. I have already booked Yosemite Lodge.

Still have not booked the flights. We can only get the cheaper fare on the first flight. I have realised the date we are coming home is the last weekend of NZ school holidays so probably why that flight is full price. I find airfares stressful, the waiting and the gamble.

I know, waiting for flight discounts is terrible. And I am not a risk-taker by nature (hence the first sale I saw, I grabbed it!). I wish I could be one of those chilled people who waits it out until only a few weeks before, but with my luck, the prices would be even worse, rather than spectacularly cheap! It is much easier to sleep at night once airfares have been booked though (yes, I'm a stress head!)!

Is it an option to fly over with Air NZ, to take advantage of the direct to SFO flight (albeit with a stopover in Auckland), but then get a cheaper return flight with Virgin? I know a couple of weeks ago they had return flights from LA to Melbourne (via Sydney or Brisbane) for $780. That will also allow you extra baggage for the return flight!

 

[Jade+3]

Happy to help....but I do tend to do off-the-beaten track a little these days.

Where are you staying?

Don't know. We are only staying 2 nights, the first is our arrival day so we will be buggered.

I was thinking Fishermans Wharf for convenience but so expensive. Will have to research that some more. Beauty about travelling with family is I can off load a child to their room so no searching for hotels for 5.

DH and I have been before but the in-laws have not. They want to see the bridge, visit Alcatraz and ride the cable cars. I want to eat at Bubba Gump as this may be the only one we come across. On day 3 we will be up early to get the hire car and hope to be at Yosemite around lunch time.

 

[Jade+3]

I know, waiting for flight discounts is terrible. And I am not a risk-taker by nature (hence the first sale I saw, I grabbed it!). I wish I could be one of those chilled people who waits it out until only a few weeks before, but with my luck, the prices would be even worse, rather than spectacularly cheap! It is much easier to sleep at night once airfares have been booked though (yes, I'm a stress head!)!

Is it an option to fly over with Air NZ, to take advantage of the direct to SFO flight (albeit with a stopover in Auckland), but then get a cheaper return flight with Virgin? I know a couple of weeks ago they had return flights from LA to Melbourne (via Sydney or Brisbane) for $780. That will also allow you extra baggage for the return flight!

I am a stress head too, and I am thinking exactly the same thoughts. I have exited out of the booking screen so many times this weekend. The AIR NZ one way fare is $1357. Good thinking though. I know I should wait to see what Virgin and Qantas offer, but as we are leaving a few days before school holidays I may be pushing my luck.

DH is telling me to book it. The in-laws are saying book it. It is cheaper than we paid in school holidays in 2011. I really should just do it, especially as we need 7 seats.

 

[Kristin5]

I am a stress head too, and I am thinking exactly the same thoughts. I have exited out of the booking screen so many times this weekend. The AIR NZ one way fare is $1357. Good thinking though. I know I should wait to see what Virgin and Qantas offer, but as we are leaving a few days before school holidays I may be pushing my luck.

DH is telling me to book it. The in-laws are saying book it. It is cheaper than we paid in school holidays in 2011. I really should just do it, especially as we need 7 seats.

Is that the one way fare for the Air NZ return flight? Seems steep, but the same as what Virgin is quoting at the moment. ETA I just checked Virgin fares for LAX to Melbourne and it is back down to $1200. That'll probably come down more, if you have the patience to wait (as i said, it was lower, briefly, over Christmas).

But if it is already cheaper than what you paid last time, then go for it now! (We also went in school holidays in 2011, and I think our airfares this time are around the same price - would've been great to get them even cheaper!) Especially if you need 7 seats - when I did the seat selection, some of the flights were filling up pretty quickly - and you also don't want to be stuck with long stopovers.

So, for peace of mind, it is better to book now too, but then don't check prices afterwards!!!

 

[Jade+3]

All done! I sort of have a sense of relief, but I must cancel my Kayak fare alert.

Not a fan of the seat selection process. I made 2 booking, one for the 5 of us, and the other for the in-laws. For the IL's I could pick individual seats or a block, but for us I had to pick a block and it was very random how the blocks were selected. I managed to get 3 in front and 2 behind. I actually prefer 5 straight across. Will have to call and see if it can be changed. Should not complain, at least Air NZ dont charge for seat selection so that saved a few hundred dollars.

I was surprised at how full the flights are.

 

[Kristin5]

All done! I sort of have a sense of relief, but I must cancel my Kayak fare alert.

Not a fan of the seat selection process. I made 2 booking, one for the 5 of us, and the other for the in-laws. For the IL's I could pick individual seats or a block, but for us I had to pick a block and it was very random how the blocks were selected. I managed to get 3 in front and 2 behind. I actually prefer 5 straight across. Will have to call and see if it can be changed. Should not complain, at least Air NZ dont charge for seat selection so that saved a few hundred dollars.

I was surprised at how full the flights are.

Yay! Congrats!

I did two bookings, each for 3 people, and i think when I did the seat selections I could only do blocks of 3 too. It worked out well for us, but I can see it wouldn't be as convenient for you guys, with 3 kids.

My problem with the seating is that I did our booking, but then when I did it for my friend, she wanted to pay by bank transfer so i went through the seat selection process, only to find I couldn't do such a transaction on my ipad. So then did it all again on my pc, and of course couldn't get the same seats, as the system saw them as being already reserved, so my friend is now 2 rows behind us instead of directly behind us (she'll probably be thankful for that though - she will be further away from my DS now, who would've probably annoyed her and her teenage kids the whole trip otherwise! Lol)

Are there many seats left now? I wonder if not all have been released yet perhaps?

 

[WanderlustNZ]

Yay! Congrats!

I did two bookings, each for 3 people, and i think when I did the seat selections I could only do blocks of 3 too. It worked out well for us, but I can see it wouldn't be as convenient for you guys, with 3 kids.

My problem with the seating is that I did our booking, but then when I did it for my friend, she wanted to pay by bank transfer so i went through the seat selection process, only to find I couldn't do such a transaction on my ipad. So then did it all again on my pc, and of course couldn't get the same seats, as the system saw them as being already reserved, so my friend is now 2 rows behind us instead of directly behind us (she'll probably be thankful for that though - she will be further away from my DS now, who would've probably annoyed her and her teenage kids the whole trip otherwise! Lol)

Are there many seats left now? I wonder if not all have been released yet perhaps?

I booked my Sep/Oct flights the week they were released and even then my seating options were limited. Air NZ had blocked off all the skycouches (hadn't paid for one of those) as well as all the middle aisles between the skycouches (incase people book skycouch plus seat). After eliminating the seats I had to pay more for (exit row, front of plane etc), I felt like my options were pretty slim.

Was quite annoyed actually. Booking early used to ensure I got good seats. But now Air NZ has gone down the money hungry route of trying to get extra $ for certain seats, I felt like the ones I ended up with are no better than had I booked last minute.

So anyway, I wouldn't assume the planes are that full just yet. I just think the seat picking process has less options.

Have you tried going back into the system to move your friends? The hold on those seats would now be released and they might still be empty.

 

[WanderlustNZ]

All done! I sort of have a sense of relief, but I must cancel my Kayak fare alert.

Not a fan of the seat selection process. I made 2 booking, one for the 5 of us, and the other for the in-laws. For the IL's I could pick individual seats or a block, but for us I had to pick a block and it was very random how the blocks were selected. I managed to get 3 in front and 2 behind. I actually prefer 5 straight across. Will have to call and see if it can be changed. Should not complain, at least Air NZ dont charge for seat selection so that saved a few hundred dollars.

I was surprised at how full the flights are.

Yay, congrats on the booked flights. It seems everyone's plans are finally coming into fruition.

Air NZ's seat selection system is annoying. The last time I flew as a party of 4, we wanted a block of 3 and one across the aisle. Instead the system kept putting the 4th person in front or behind. Because it was just a short flight, I gave up caring after a short while.
But in your case, you should definitely call them. Hopefully they can sort it out.

 

[5ofus]

Congrats on the flight booking!

I didn't like their seat selection process either. So much so that I've already gone in and changed our seats three times! On the flights to and from AKL they kept putting us on a row of three and then one aisle seat in front and one aisle seat behind!?!? How that would work with kids as young as mine, I have no idea? Although DH quite liked the idea of the kids sitting alone! LOL

 

[WanderlustNZ]

Congrats on the flight booking!

I didn't like their seat selection process either. So much so that I've already gone in and changed our seats three times! On the flights to and from AKL they kept putting us on a row of three and then one aisle seat in front and one aisle seat behind!?!? How that would work with kids as young as mine, I have no idea? Although DH quite liked the idea of the kids sitting alone! LOL

Eeek, I've definitely been reading too many Disney forums. I had to stop and think for a second when I read your post as I initially misinterpreted AKL to mean Animal Kingdom Lodge instead of Auckland. And AKL is my home airport.
Far too much Disney on the brain

 

[Jade+3]

Yay! Congrats!

I did two bookings, each for 3 people, and i think when I did the seat selections I could only do blocks of 3 too. It worked out well for us, but I can see it wouldn't be as convenient for you guys, with 3 kids.

My problem with the seating is that I did our booking, but then when I did it for my friend, she wanted to pay by bank transfer so i went through the seat selection process, only to find I couldn't do such a transaction on my ipad. So then did it all again on my pc, and of course couldn't get the same seats, as the system saw them as being already reserved, so my friend is now 2 rows behind us instead of directly behind us (she'll probably be thankful for that though - she will be further away from my DS now, who would've probably annoyed her and her teenage kids the whole trip otherwise! Lol)

Are there many seats left now? I wonder if not all have been released yet perhaps?

I thought the sky couches had been blocked off, which makes the middle cabin unavailable. If you go into seat selection, you can make changes and see what is available. Still wants me to change in silly blocks of 5.

Congrats on the flight booking!

I didn't like their seat selection process either. So much so that I've already gone in and changed our seats three times! On the flights to and from AKL they kept putting us on a row of three and then one aisle seat in front and one aisle seat behind!?!? How that would work with kids as young as mine, I have no idea? Although DH quite liked the idea of the kids sitting alone! LOL

I am going to call today as I want to sit 5 across. I lost count of the number of times I would have to pass stuff to DH to hold, especially food trays and drinks. That is not going to work with DH sitting behind me. The only positive I can see is if DS starts kicking the seat in front, he will at least be kicking one of us.

Eeek, I've definitely been reading too many Disney forums. I had to stop and think for a second when I read your post as I initially misinterpreted AKL to mean Animal Kingdom Lodge instead of Auckland. And AKL is my home airport.
Far too much Disney on the brain

I didn't even think of that! I used to work in travel so am guilty of using port codes instead of typing airport names.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Don't know. We are only staying 2 nights, the first is our arrival day so we will be buggered.

I was thinking Fishermans Wharf for convenience but so expensive. Will have to research that some more. Beauty about travelling with family is I can off load a child to their room so no searching for hotels for 5.

DH and I have been before but the in-laws have not. They want to see the bridge, visit Alcatraz and ride the cable cars. I want to eat at Bubba Gump as this may be the only one we come across. On day 3 we will be up early to get the hire car and hope to be at Yosemite around lunch time.

I haven't stayed at either but the Radisson and Holiday Inn are usually the ones that people stay at when at FW.

I've stayed at the Hyatt Regency Embarcadero. It's easy to get to using the BART (if you're thinking of catching it from the airport).

I had a great morning at the WD Family museum at the Presidio on the last trip. There is just so much memorabilia there!

 

[KiwiMouseGirl]

My Air New Zealand flights that I want have gone in sale. Woo woo woo woo! Now to see what the travel agent can conjure up with accommodation getting a little bit excited...

 

[Kristin5]

My Air New Zealand flights that I want have gone in sale. Woo woo woo woo! Now to see what the travel agent can conjure up with accommodation getting a little bit excited...

Brilliant! It's all happening now!

Thanks for suggestions about changing seat selection - I didn't think of that! D'oh! I just figured that I had locked us all in already! There must be a lot of blonde in my strawberry blonde hair!

 

[5ofus]

Brilliant! It's all happening now!

Thanks for suggestions about changing seat selection - I didn't think of that! D'oh! I just figured that I had locked us all in already! There must be a lot of blonde in my strawberry blonde hair!

Haha, I wasn't sure if I could change us either, but it wasn't a problem

I booked HoJo's last night Still hoping for a bigger discount because it's a bit more than we want to pay per night, but it's in for now

 

[Kristin5]

Haha, I wasn't sure if I could change us either, but it wasn't a problem

I booked HoJo's last night Still hoping for a bigger discount because it's a bit more than we want to pay per night, but it's in for now

Great stuff! So were you able to get a queen room or something other than a King room? A king room is the only available option for our dates (last time I checked, anyway).

Also, when doing the seat selection now (which I have stuffed up again, would you believe?!), you can change between block selection or individual selection.

 

[5ofus]

Great stuff! So were you able to get a queen room or something other than a King room? A king room is the only available option for our dates (last time I checked, anyway).

Also, when doing the seat selection now (which I have stuffed up again, would you believe?!), you can change between block selection or individual selection.

We got a Queen Deluxe or Superior... I can't remember now. Our dates seem to be in a slow period, all room types were available.

Ooh, I feel another seat swap coming on! I might change our seats on the flights to and from NZ (refrained from using AKL abbreviation to avoid confusion! ) I won't tell DH though, he already thinks I'm nuts!