This week's top travel deals

Turkish Airlines deals are certainly great value - but agents are not happy with the number of flight cancellations - and the lack of customer care - particularly if you are stranded somewhere.
 
Also - some good news for solo travellers.  
 

SINGAPORE AIRLINES is on sale again - check out  exclusive New Year deals and enjoy Companion Special fares when you book for two or more adults to select destinations. Book by 5 February 2025 and as an added bonus earn 30% bonus KrisFlyer miles on eligible bookings. 

VIRGIN AUSTRALIA/QATAR:  Get 20,000 bonus Velocity Points for return Business Class or 10,000 Points for return Economy Choice fares when you book eligible flights to Doha and beyond. 

TAUCK: We are enhancing solo travel on Europe's rivers by waiving the single supplement for Category 1 riverboat cabins on every departure of all Tauck river cruise itineraries.

COASTAL CRUISES is the agent for Hurtigruten. Right now save up to 25% on the 12 day coastal Express from Bergen - and a number of other voyages. Pay no single supplement on selected voyages.

HELLOWORLD has great deals to North America flying with Air New Zealand. A 5 nights discover the neighbourhoods of New York tour costs from $1709.

SEABOURN is on sale - enjoy up to 15% savings and up to $US1,000 shipboard credit plus reduced deposit on selected sailings. 

VIETJET:  From now until February 7 the carrier's weekly Friday promotion is offering 50% off flights between Vietnam and Australia for travel between 10 February and 31 March. Vietjet is launching four new direct routes connecting Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to Beijing and Guangzhou, starting 30 March 2025.
 
AAT KINGS have cut prices on some of their most sought-after itineraries including Perfect Tasmania and Essence of New Zealand. Valid on select departure dates - new bookings only. Some great holiday ideas here.

VIETNAM AIRLINES has released a Sky Sofa package so you can enjoy a comfortable row in the economy-class cabin. Now available on direct flights between Australia and Vietnam,  the economy flex cost is from $US400 (about $650).

TRAVEL TRADE ONLY:  The Travel Industry Club's first release for 2025 is updated industry rates for 5 star AmaWaterways.  Take a look at cruises in Europe and Asia. More details, Sue Francis. 

Remember conditions always apply to these specials. Check airline prices from your capital city. I recommend you use a travel agent - and travel insurance is essential. Finally I make mistakes like all of us. Check websites to confirm details.

This week's top travel deals

According to the latest Amex Air Monitor report, airfares within and from Australia are set to soar in 2025 - domestic for instance up by 13.7% over last year. The collapsing Aussie dollar does not help. So folks, the faster you book, the better the price.

This week's top travel deals

Not much to report this week as everyone heads off for a break.

This week's top travel deals

Here's to a safe and successful 2025 from the top holiday deals team.

NT - The Northern Territory has released Boxing Day deals on flights, packages, accommodation and tours to the Top End and the Red Centre including flights to Darwin from $124 and Uluru from $94.

MALAYSIA AIRLINES - you have until January 2 to enjoy flights from AUD 739 return when you book on the carrier's website or app. There are some good savings here.

VIKING is offering free flights with selected river, ocean or expedition voyages valued up to $2,400 plus $500 shipboard credit with selected ocean and expedition bookings. Must be a new booking - deal ends in March 2025.

CATHAY PACIFIC has come up with a novel idea if you travel in that direction regularly. Book two return flights from Sydney to Hong Kong in one booking and pay from $888 per return. Flights must be between 19 January - 21 November 2025.

CELEBRITY CRUISES Boxing Day sale includes offers of up to 75% off the second guest and save up to $850 per room. I emphasise - up to!

BEST WESTERN AWARD MEMBERS -  stay two nights at any Best Western hotel in Australia and New Zealand before February 2 2025 and you will receive 5,000 bonus points.

HELLOWORLD is advertising a new five night luxury Tokyo adventure priced from $2699. 

VIETNAM AIRLINES:  It ends on January 1 - but until then enjoy a 15% discount on airfares for domestic and international flights.

TRAVEL TRADE ONLY:  Super deals on Crystal, Silversea: Iceland includes airfare, Regent: Iceland includes airfare. More details, Interline Travel.

Remember conditions always apply to these specials. Check airline prices from your capital city. I recommend you use a travel agent - and travel insurance is essential. Finally I make mistakes like all of us. Check websites to confirm details.

Merry Christmas from the top holiday deals team

#traveldeals

A merry and safe Christmas to you all from the top holiday deals team.

FINNAIR invites you to visit the old boy in person. Santa Claus lives deep within the Finnish Lapland, near the Arctic Circle at the mystical Korvatunturi Fell. Flights from Sydney to Rovaniemi are priced from $1834 return.

WORLD EXPEDITIONS has announced  a Boxing Day sale - For 48 hours, starting December 26, more than 140 of the company's most popular adventure travel trips will be reduced.

CATHAY PACIFIC has come up with a novel idea if you travel in that direction regularly. Book two return flights from Sydney to Hong Kong in one booking and pay from $888 per return. Flights must be between 19 January - 21 November 2025.

 
CUNARD'S brand new Queen Anne will head off on her maiden South America Discovery voyages in 2027 and early save fares have been released. The 82 night Southampton round trip costs from $30,499 - or you can also choose from 17 and 20 night itineraries.

NT NOW deals (plenty of them) include a 4 night crocs and chill Darwin Getaway from $649pp twin share. Enjoy everything from crocodile encounters along the Adelaide River to exploring the best Darwin has to offer. Travel until March 31 2025. Flights not included. 

THE QATAR AIRWAYS/VIRGIN AUSTRALIA alliance takes off in June and the competition should help to reduce air fares to Europe. You will earn 20,000 bonus Avios in Business or First and 10,000 in Economy by booking a return trip by 20 January 2025, and complete your journey by 30 September 2025. Avios is the reward currency now used by a number of airlines. Pity Adelaide is not included - would have been a great idea to replace the fake Qatar service via Melbourne. 

FAR EAST INSIDERS is offering up to 43% savings when you book 2025 accommodation at least 14 days in advance (minimum 2 nights). Hotels include the Oasia Hotel Novena, Singapore.

SEABOURN has unveiled its annual "Sail of the Year" event which features saving of up to 15%  on select ocean and expedition voyages, reduced deposits and up to $US1000 in onboard credit.

ANANTARA  HOTELS AND RESORTS is offering increased advance purchase savings and benefits plus exceptional rates on longer stays in the Maldives.

PONANT has launched its  2026 Kimberley season -  16 departures from May to September offer a 30% PONANT Bonus in savings.

TRAVEL TRADE ONLY:  Super deals on Crystal, Silversea: Iceland includes airfare, Regent: Iceland includes airfare. More details, Interline Travel.

Remember conditions always apply to these specials. Check airline prices from your capital city. I recommend you use a travel agent - and travel insurance is essential. Finally, I make mistakes, just like all of us. Check websites to confirm details.