The 5 best deals in Qantas’ mega-sale
Domestic fares with up to 45% off standard prices.
Qantas has rolled out its first big domestic sale since the coronavirus pandemic began, and there are some big savings to be had.
Sale fares start at $109, which is very cheap by Qantas standards. There are 40 routes with sub-$150 fares. In total, there are 77 routes included in the sale and 350,000 seats.
You can make one change to any fare booked in the sale without paying a change fee, making it less risky to book. (You will have to pay any difference in fare between the old and new booking, however.) That flexibility applies to all Qantas domestic fares booked up until 27 July 2020.
The sale runs from Monday 6 July through until Friday 11 July, and covers fares for August, September and October. That period includes school holidays on many routes.
You can compare flights and prices now through Skyscanner.
These are the bargains that jumped out at me amongst the pre-announced deals, based on the percentage discount on the lead-in fare (the usual lowest price on a route).
- Brisbane–Sydney for $115, down 45% from $208. That's a really solid saving for a full-service fare.
- Brisbane–Adelaide for $169, down 35% from $260. A similar deal for South Australia and Queensland.
- Sydney–Dubbo for $129, down 31% from $186. Regional QantasLink services are usually amongst the most expensive Qantas fares as there's no low-cost competition on the route.
- Hobart–Melbourne for $125, down 30% from $178. Flexibility could be useful here; Tasmania is due to open its borders in late July, but that's subject to review.
- Sydney–Gold Coast for $109, down 29% from $153. I'm noting this because there are plenty of passengers who prefer a full-service option. That said, Jetstar fares on this route are invariably much cheaper.
Qantas has specifically excluded routes where ongoing travel restrictions still apply. It says there will be sale fares offered to those locations once those restrictions are lifted.
Sale fares are going to be a key tactic used by airlines to attract nervous travellers back into the fold. In the past month, we've seen sub-$19 fares from Jetstar (owned by Qantas), the relaunch of Virgin's weekly Happy Hour sale, and a triple points offer for domestic Qantas trips.
Qantas is never going to drop its fares to Jetstar levels. However, for frequent flyers, the ability to earn points and enjoy access to lounges (many of which have also now reopened) remains a key attraction.
Angus Kidman's Findings column looks at new developments and research that help you save money, make wise decisions and enjoy your life more. It appears regularly on Finder.
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