Flights within New Zealand?

Question

I need to purchase a one-way ticket in New Zealand from Queenstown to Auckland. Is it better to purchase the ticket while I am in New Zealand or beforehand? FYI, I need the ticket for March 29 and I am leaving on the 14th.

Answer 1

Totally up to you when you want to purchase the ticket, but I would suggest checking online each day at http://www.grabaseat.co.nz

This site is where you get the bargains

Specials change daily.

Answer 2

I have found that, in general, the sooner you book a flight the more options you have and the more chance there is of getting a lower priced ticket. If price is important to you and it is essential that you travel on the 29th March, then I suggest you buy as soon as possible. Both Air New Zealand and Qantas operate that route. At the moment Qantas is being quite aggressive and has flights available at around NZ$160. AirNZ's cheapest flight is NZ$200. You can book with either airline on their websites and both issue E tickets.

Air New Zealand, via their 'grabaseat' system, offer daily specials in addition to their normal fare prices. However, these are first come first served, offer travel for specific short periods and on selected flights. They are great if you are flexible and prepared to wait and see if something comes up. Their specials change daily. However, the best deals (other than when there is a special celebration of some sort) tend to be on less competitive routes and at 'off peak' times of the day. Specials do come up from time to time on the competitive routes but the savings are not huge and the 'stress' of hanging on for a better deal may not be worth it.