If you are wanting to head to The States anytime over the next year (excluding the school holidays), now would be a good time to buy.

Qantas has launched a new Fly Away to the USA sale, with other airlines following suit in dropping prices.

Example fares

You can find nonstop flights from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane to:

• Honolulu from $849 return
• San Francisco from $904
• Los Angeles from $930
• Chicago from $1,194
• Houston from $1,245
• Dallas/Fort Worth from $1,249

Those in Perth and Adelaide can fly to LA or San Francisco via the East Coast from $1,049 return, whilst flights to New York via LA start at $1,299.

How to choose which airline to fly Economy Class to the US

• If points are important to you, choose to fly:
  • Qantas or American Airlines to boost your Qantas Frequent Flyer or Asia Miles balance
  • Virgin Australia or Delta to earn Velocity Points
  • United to receive KrisFlyer miles

• If you would prefer to have more legroom, you’ll get:
  • 32 inches with Virgin Australia, United and Qantas (Boeing 787 Dreamliner)
  • 31 inches with American Airlines, Delta and Qantas (Airbus A380)

This handy Google Chrome extension compares legroom across airlines when performing a flight search.

A word of warning

Travellers from Australia will find that their Australian Dollars have 10% less power compared to their peak over the past year. I predict that the exchange rate will continue to depreciate in 2020, meaning that the US will continue to become a more expensive destination for us.

Depart: Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth or Adelaide

Arrive: Honolulu, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston or New York

Dates: October 2019 to June 2020 (excluding school holidays)

Airline: Qantas, Virgin Australia, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines and United

Cost: From $849 in Economy

Where to credit points: Most of these fares earn points at a Discount Economy rate.

For example, on a return trip with Qantas between the East Coast and New York in Economy Class, you’ll earn 12,400 Qantas Points + 140 Status Credits. Point Hacks values those points at 2 cents each, meaning that you are effectively earning a cashback of $248—compare that to your $1,299 fare!

Read more in our guide to where to credit points.

Lounge access:

• If you hold Qantas Gold or above status, are a Qantas Club member or have Qantas lounge passes with one of these credit cards, you enjoy access to Qantas and associated partner lounges when flying Qantas or American Airlines
• Velocity elite status holders can enter to The House in Sydney and Melbourne and My Lounge in Brisbane when flying Virgin Australia and the SkyTeam Lounge in Sydney when flying Delta
• American Express Card Members get access to the Sydney and Melbourne Amex lounges regardless of airline
• Priority Pass members can gain access to these lounges regardless of airline

Booking link: my suggestion is to compare your options at Google Flights and then click through to book directly on the airline’s website. Most fares are on sale until 13 September.

Airfare deals are typically only available on limited dates. Fares may disappear quickly, so we suggest booking as soon as you are confident in your travel dates.