The Big Picture
If you’re looking for a holiday getaway or would like to explore summertime in Australia and/or New Zealand, now is the time to book as there are plenty of saver awards available through Virgin Atlantic (flying Delta) and Qantas from October 2023 through June 2024 from 35k per person in economy or 71k in premium economy.
Examples of routes (priced per person one way)
- LAX to/from SYD = 45,000 in economy through Virgin Atlantic
- LAX to/from AKL= 37,600 in economy through Qantas
- LAX to/from AKL= 71,100 in premium economy through Qantas
If you have Chase points, there is a 30% transfer bonus to Virgin Atlantic through Nov 15 bringing the price down to 35,000 per person one way!
While you can transfer directly from AMEX, Chase, Citi and Bilt directly to Virgin Atlantic, Capital One is actually only partners with Virgin Red (not Virgin Atlantic). This is no problem as you can link your Virgin Red account to your Virgin Atlantic account, and then you will be able to book your flights on Virgin Atlantic using your Capital One points as usual.
To search on Virgin Atlantic, click the “Advanced search” option, and select show price in “Points”. If it will not let you select the show price in points option, change the “one way” box to “multi-city” and then back to “one way”.
All of the dates below have confirmed availability for at least 2 passengers with more than 9 seats available on various dates. Expect to pay ~$60+ per person each way in taxes.
Available Dates
Outbound
LAX-SYD (book through Virgin Atlantic)- Economy
Oct 16, 17, 23, 24, 30, 31
Nov 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21, 27, 28
Dec 4, 11, 18, 19, 25, 26
Jan 1, 2, 15, 16,22, 23, 29, 30
Feb 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20, 26, 27
March 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 19, 25, 26
April 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23, 29, 30
May 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21, 27, 28
June 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18, 24, 25
LAX-AKL (book through Qantas)- Economy
Dec 28-31
Jan 1, 6, 7, 21, 23, 28-31
Feb 1, 3-7, 9-14, 18, 20, 21, 25
March 1, 8
LAX-AKL (book through Qantas)- Premium Economy
Dec 22, 23, 28-31
Jan 1, 3, 6, 7, 9, 13, 15, 16, 20-22, 27, 28, 30
Feb 2, 3, 5, 6, 12, 14, 18, 21, 25
Return
SYD-LAX (book through Virgin Atlantic)- Economy
Oct 16, 17, 23, 24, 30, 31
Nov 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21, 28
Dec 4, 5, 12, 25, 26
Jan 9, 15, 16, 22, 23, 29, 30
Feb 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20, 26, 27
March 4, 5, 11, 12, 18, 19, 25, 26
April 15, 22, 23, 29, 30
May 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21, 27, 28
June 3, 4, 10, 11, 18
AKL-LAX (book through Qantas)- Economy
Dec 22-25, 30
Jan 15-31
Feb 1-15, 18, 22, 27
March 3, 7, 11, 12, 14-16, 18-22, 26, 30
AKL-LAX (book through Qantas)- Premium Economy
Dec 22-31
Jan 11-26, 28, 30, 31
Feb 1-12, 14, 16, 20, 27
