Flights to New Zealand

[pointybird]

I want to book a flight to New Zealand for next year, but can't afford to pay the whole cost of the flight upfront! Do all travel agents allow you to preliminarily book with a deposit, then pay the balance later? And can I pay a bit off each month, or do they expect just a deposit then the rest of the cash all in one go? I've never gone on a long-haul flight before, so I'm not sure how it works!

[spudqueen]

When I went to Florida last year I certainly only paid a deposit at the travel agents and then paid the rest of the amount about two months before the holiday. I would go in and check with a travel agent. If you can't pay a bit off each month then stick it in a savings account where you will be earning interest.

[Gef]

Not sure about paying but shop around well before you book.
I'm going Glasgow to Auckalnd with BA on June 29th for �733. After that the price rises by at least �250. Try to go outwith the school holidays. Sorry if this is of no use to you.

[Gef]

Sorry that should be �723.

[STAH]

Hello pointybird.

You may wish to consider taking out a credit card. Credit card providers invariably offer new customers 0% interest for one year on new purchases. As long as you can afford the minimum payment, then you can spread the cost of your flight without paying the banks a bean!

Try this site out:

http://www6.marksandspencer.com/pages/default. asp?PageId=home&Product=CC

I have an account with Marks and Spencer and have always found them to be very good.

We went to New Zealand last year. We visited Auckland, Wellington, Rotarua, Christchurch and the Southern Alps. It is a truly beautiful country and well worthy of the exhausting and long journey. I really do hope that you make it and experience what we thought was a truly magical country.

Good luck!!

Scott

[ken c]

a lot of travel agents will charge you for using a credit card to pay for travel.
my travel agent took a deposit at booking with the balance paid two months before leaving,
you could always save it yourself and book online and take advantage of sale prices at this time of year.
going myself soon cant wait

[ukbod]

I only know of one airline - Excel - that allows you to pay a deposit and then the balance later for flights only- unfortunately they dont do NZ.
Virgin has a number of schemes along this line but not for flights only - perhaps you could book a few days accomodation with them so it would technically be a holiday.

[Memore]

I used London Flight Centre whcih took deposit but I paid it off within a month so not sure what the rules are