The price of choice

[threemonkeys]

The trans-Tasman flights situation out of Wellington annoys me. There is so little choice. While everywhere else is getting the benefits of greater competition, the two airlines which operate into Welly are cutting services. But wonder beyond amazement they have a sale on at the moment and Welly is actually included for a change. So, if I want to get the best fares to attend Convergence in June I need to book this week. But this is where the lack of choice makes it hard. As far as I can see there are only two feasible choices. Everything else is much more expensive and involves going via Sydney or Auckland and I am so over killing time between flights at airport - it means the whole day is taken travelling for a 4 hour flight.

choice 1 - fly QANTAS and go just for the con - arrive friday morning, leave monday night. Obviously the cheapest overall and easiest to fit in with any work obligations. The work thing being important because I have no idea what I will be doing work-wise in June.

choice 2 - fly Air NZ and spend pretty much a full week in Melbourne. Sure it is a more expensive trip overall with accommodation etc, but a short holiday in Melbourne seems like a good thing to do. Also, the Air NZ planes are newer and more comfortable.

So what should I do? I'm soliciting opinions because I don't really want to book this far out unless I'm sure. But if I leave it, things get more expensive and increase the odds of an indirect flight. Go on, put your $0.02 in - this is what lj is good for.

Comments

[threemonkeys.livejournal.com]

littenz is lobbying me to stay longer because he plans to go for that period and wants a navigator or somesuch for his travels (not a bad gig I should add). I may have to flip a coin.

Fear not, Conflux is very firmly in my sights. I even checked the cost of flights for that weekend and it would be best to buy them now too. I just don't have it in me to plan that far ahead.

"any last bits of book money" - does that phrase even mean anything. :-) - I am in permanent book money debt.

[gillpolack.livejournal.com]

If it doesn't prevent you coming to Conflux then stay the week :). Melbourne is a very good city to spend time in.

[threemonkeys.livejournal.com]

Yes, I have been to Melbourne several times before and I know that I have really only scratched the surface of what can be done there.