Are fares ex-NZ or ex-Malaysia/Singapore better?

[taless]

Hi,

I will be relocating from the UK to NZ soon (to join my gf), with family living in Malaysia. So in the future, I will be flying from NZ to Malaysia/Singapore fairly regularly.

I have 2 options,
a. Buy a return flight from London to NZ (for my relocation), then use only the New Zealand-SIN portion of the return. Then in the future. all my flights (return) will be ex-Malaysia/Singapore.

b. Buy a one-way flight from London to NZ, then in the future, all my return flights will be ex-NZ.

In your experience, do you get better fares ex-Malaysia/Singapore or ex-NZ? Which option would you pick if you were me?

Thanks!

[wlgspotter]

Hi taless:

I think it depends of which city you are relocating to in NZ. If it is anywhere other than AKL or CHC (to which SQ's flies into), then I think your option "b" may be cheaper as the fares ex-NZ will usually include the domestic NZ add-on.

If you are relocating to just AKL or CHC, then perhaps fares ex SIN may be cheaper.

I could be wrong with the above, but at least the former is relevant to me - I live in Wellington and with family in Singapore, I fly WLG-SIN fairly often or having family visit regularly. I always find the fares cheaper WLG-SIN (via either AKL or CHC) than the other way around, as SQ sometimes offer good throughfares originating from WLG to SIN.

That's my thoughts anyway - happy to stand corrected! Note that I am an "occasional" traveller, i.e. travelling WLG-SIN vv approx 1 (at most 2) times a year so I don't consider myself a frequent flier.

Cheers
WlgSpoter

p/s: Welcome to NZ in advance, by the way! -

[CarbonMan]

Taless, you seem to be a contrarian. Most people I know have moved from NZ to either AUS or the UK. Good for you, I personally think life in NZ is far superior than say, crowded London.

[Guy Betsy]

Fares between LHR/NZ and v.v. will be cheaper ...! Sometimes its even less than a simple SIN-AKL factor.

Fares ex-SIN on SQ are usually more expensive. Fares ex-BKK or in many case, ex-HKG are cheaper than ex-SIN. KUL isn't that much of an option anymore either. Their fares are very similar to those from SIN.

[coffeeblack]

Actually this is something I've seen all around. Flights out of the home country of the airline always seems more expensive than when purchased out of some other location.

[taless]

Thanks a lot for the replies above!! Sorry I have been away for a while.

I will be relocating to AKL. And I forgot to mention I will be flying mostly in Y when I do those trips back to Malaysia.

Looks like most people feel flying ex-NZ will be cheaper than ex-SIN.

Does the same apply with other carriers (I think the few that will allow me to fly to either SIN or KUL will include MH, QF, +/- D7...)?

Thanks again for any input/past experiences!!

[coffeeblack]

Does the same apply with other carriers (I think the few that will allow me to fly to either SIN or KUL will include MH, QF, +/- D7...)?

it should do. With the exception of Jetstar, it's generally cheaper throughout in my experience.

[Guy Betsy]

Just remember.. generally it is more expensive to fly home country airline out of home country. eg SQ ex-SIN, MH ex-KUL and direct flights usually also more.

eg AKL-SIN on SQ will cost more than MH via KUL.

As AKL-SIN is a monopoly as NZ does not fly the route anymore, SQ's fares will be higher than say EK where you have to change planes in SYD, or QF via Australia.

[wlgspotter]

Just remember.. generally it is more expensive to fly home country airline out of home country. eg SQ ex-SIN, MH ex-KUL and direct flights usually also more.

eg AKL-SIN on SQ will cost more than MH via KUL.

As AKL-SIN is a monopoly as NZ does not fly the route anymore, SQ's fares will be higher than say EK where you have to change planes in SYD, or QF via Australia.

Well, if you don't mind flying with a LCC or budget carrier, you can consider Jetstar (Asia), which also does non-stop AKL-SIN vv. We're tried it once, ex WLG, and find it is OK. I have some friends who have tried it 2-3 times and they also find it acceptable - you do get what you pay for but it is not "too bad". I also do know some people who would not go near Jetstar, so I guess the best is to check all the fares, and decide whether the difference in fares is worth any (potential) hassle for you.