• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • recipes
    • baking
    • mid-week meals
    • time-worn tucker
    • entertaining
    • kid-friendly feeds
  • Latest Posts
  • About Me
  • Shop
    • Cart
    • Checkout
    • My account

Cooker and a Looker - Australian Home Cooking

  • Home
  • recipes
    • baking
    • mid-week meals
    • time-worn tucker
    • entertaining
    • kid-friendly feeds
  • Latest Posts
  • About Me
  • Shop
    • Cart
    • Checkout
    • My account
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • Latest Post
  • Recipes
  • Shop
  • Work with me
  • About Me
    • Email
  • ×

    Home » pondering

    By Amanda Smyth 21 Comments

    the blog post that saved me $745.16 this week

    Share9
    Pin
    9 Shares

    Bearhands and I headed to Port Douglas for a wedding this weekend.  We’d intended making a long child-free weekend of it, but life happened and we had to cut our trip short.  I looked at booking our new flights home and we were looking at $160 each – ouch!

    Then something magical happened; I came across a blog post by Chantelle of Fat Mum Slim fame.  I tried things using her magical trick of booking our flights via Japanese expedia and snagged both tickets for just $180.  So I packed my white shorts and other incompatible-with-children clothing and headed off to watch two of our friends tie the knot.  It was hands-down the most beautiful wedding I've ever been to and I've been to my fair share of weddings!

    Off to celebrate with the happy couple
    Port Douglas wedding chapel
    St Mary's by the Sea church Port Douglas
    Church in Port Douglas
    Sunset on The Spit at Port Douglas
    Port Douglas Sugar Wharf sunset
    Port Douglas Sugar Wharf wedding
    Sugar Wharf Wedding Port Douglas

    This afternoon, I compared ticket prices for our upcoming family holiday to Georgetown.  Four return tickets to Cairns on Jetstar = $1412.  The same four tickets booked via expedia  = 72800 yen or in $806.84 Aussie dollars.  I bought check-in baggage allowances separately from the Jetstar website after I booked the flights.

    Chantelle for the WIN! image credit: Fat Mum Slim
    Chantelle for the WIN!
    image credit: Fat Mum Slim

    I don’t want to steal Chantelle's thunder – so pop over to her post for the deets and tell what a clever clogs she is while you're there.

    do you have a thrifty travel tip?
    ever scored a bargain overseas?

     

    Share9
    Pin
    9 Shares
    « good timing and the Target toy sale + giveaway
    school holidays, scientific discoveries and squid »

    NEVER MISS A RECIPE!

    Sign up and be the first to receive new recipes straight from my oven to your inbox.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Judy Thornton says

      June 25, 2013 at 6:36 pm

      Wow! That is a lot cheaper! I will have to have a look into that.

      Reply
    2. Sydney, Kids, Food + Travel says

      June 25, 2013 at 9:22 pm

      I must have a look at that site. Have a sudden urge to go to Port Douglas! Was it lovely and warm up there. This week has been hideous here in Sydney and my wee Mr7 is sick, poor wee lad. Longing for sunshine!

      Reply
    3. Jodie@freshhomecook says

      June 26, 2013 at 6:49 am

      That's awesome! Will definitely be looking into that one!! Port Douglas looks just gorgeous - always wanted to go there. Ooooo .... using this little gem, maybe now I can!! 🙂

      Reply
    4. Katyberry says

      June 28, 2013 at 8:20 am

      That is amazing. Will definitely keep that in mind for next time I am booking flights - with a family of 5, any discount is worth pursuing.

      Reply
      • Amanda, Cooker and a Looker says

        June 28, 2013 at 2:45 pm

        Agreed Katrina!

        Reply
    5. Renee at Mummy, Wife, Me says

      June 28, 2013 at 10:27 am

      Wow. That is a huge saving. I will definitely keep that in mind for our trip to NZ later this year. Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
    6. Have a laugh on me says

      June 28, 2013 at 10:29 am

      I need to try and look for bargain accommodation cos I get dirt cheap flights through Virgin, thanks for idea. BTW - you look GORGEOUS at wedding - looks like a picturesque place to have one - Em x

      Reply
      • Amanda, Cooker and a Looker says

        June 28, 2013 at 2:45 pm

        Thanks Em - I bought that dress up there - 50% off! 🙂

        Reply
    7. Lydia C. Lee says

      June 28, 2013 at 10:51 am

      I am the queen of bargin flights - I paid $900 return to NY and $1600 for 5 return to Singapore (with bags, food - ipads were another $100) and this year's Sing GP weekend is costing me $1000 for airfare, ipad, accom and GP stand ticket (3 day pass). Whoohoo! Also got $10 airfares to Melbourne - so $80 return for 4. (somehow no taxes) Free infant was $60 in taxes each way but I couldn't risk losing the flights and booking her a $10 tickets.
      That wedding looks AMAZING - sorry it was cut short but whaty a wonderful weekend.

      My tip is sign up to everyone's newsletter and keep an eye on the sales. The scoot one was only for 18 hours.

      Reply
      • Amanda, Cooker and a Looker says

        June 28, 2013 at 2:43 pm

        You are clearly Queen of the bargain flights Lydia! Nice work! I'm going to take that tip and sign up for everyone's newsletter - especially now the Little Sister needs a seat! 🙂

        Reply
    8. marleisa says

      June 28, 2013 at 11:25 am

      I love it when you get a bargain!!

      Reply
    9. Dorothy says

      June 28, 2013 at 11:26 am

      What a bargain! I tried the trick too, but the flights I was looking at were exactly the same. Well done!

      Reply
      • Amanda, Cooker and a Looker says

        June 28, 2013 at 2:40 pm

        It made no difference when I compared QANTAS flights Dorothy - I think it might only work for Jetstar.

        Reply
    10. One of My Own says

      June 28, 2013 at 12:29 pm

      What a great idea - I never would have thought of that. We are wanting to have a week away, but cannot afford it at the moment, but maybe if we use these tips, we can!

      Reply
    11. Lisa says

      June 28, 2013 at 12:39 pm

      Great tip - will definitely give that a go! Glad you had a great time in Port Douglas, it's a beautiful town.

      Reply
    12. Neets says

      June 28, 2013 at 3:13 pm

      I'm always looking at ways to save a $. What a clever girl Chantelle is. Looks like the wedding was just perfect!

      Reply
    13. Lisa@RandomActsOfZen says

      June 28, 2013 at 10:22 pm

      That's great saving Amanda! What a glorious place for a wedding, it all looks so beautiful x

      Reply
    14. MrsD says

      June 29, 2013 at 12:23 pm

      Such lovely photos - and that sunset - wow!!!! Well done on the ticket prices - I will be absolutely keeping this tip up my sleeve!! xxx

      Reply
    15. toddlersontour says

      June 29, 2013 at 6:55 pm

      I had read Chantelle tip some time ago and have to admit thought maybe she just snagged a rare deal. Obviously not, this appears to be a great way to get a cheaper flight.

      If you have time on your side then a great way to find cheap flight and deals is to "Like" and subscribe to airlines and travel agents and they will send notifications of up and coming deals.

      Reply
    16. Grace says

      July 01, 2013 at 7:08 pm

      How awesome is that??? I had a read of Chantelle's post and who would've thought you could get such cheap domestic flights? We're planning a few trips in the next several months, will be keeping the link in mind! Thanks for sharing! x

      Reply
    17. Natt says

      August 18, 2013 at 12:01 am

      It's awesome to find out that this hint has found its way into blogs so people can share the savings 🙂

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Footer

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
    • find new recipes
    • buy the book
    • download free printables

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer
    • Terms & Conditions

    Contact

    • Contact
    • About Me
    • Latest Post
    • Shop

    Copyright © 2021 Cooker and a Looker

     

    Loading Comments...