Flight Centre Big Red Sale 2024: Best travel deals
With up to 50 per cent off holidays, including $2500 off Whitsundays getaways, you'd think it was Black Friday already.
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'Tis the season… the season of sales! And one of the biggest is already in full swing: Flight Centre's Big Red Sale.
Capturing deals across holiday packages, cruises, tours and flights, the discounts are eye-watering. Dare I say it: they could be bigger than Black Friday.
We're talking hundreds off holidays as well as bonus extras, to the tune of free massages, day tours, meals and late check-out. Because we all deserve to sleep in while holding onto the last vestiges of our time off the clock.
Our top pick?
Our top pick? This four-night stay at the five-star InterContinental Hayman Island Resort. With pools that practically spill out onto the ocean, it'll set you back just $1100 per person. Or $275 per person, per night! For that price you'll score breakfast daily, unlimited use of the resort's facilities and non-motorised watercraft, including kayaks and paddle boards, and discounted airport transfers.
"The hotel is spectacular!" praised one review who went on to say, "The island setting is really wonderful and our room was great. We stayed in a one-bedroom bedroom suite, beachfront (pavilion) and couldn't get a better setting for a holiday."
The Flight Centre Big Red sale ends on November 13, 2024, though some deals may end earlier.
Here's what else we reckon is worth your coin.
All prices and taxes are correct at the time of publishing, and may vary based on demand and availability.
BEST HOTEL DEALS
Up to $2560 bonus value: InterContinental Hayman Island Resort, four-nights from $1100 per person
One of the heaven-sent dots in the Whitsundays, Hayman Island is the ultimate destination for rest, relaxation and yes, a massive pamper. The InterContinental is its only resort and is a five-star wonder with beach access, expansive pool, children's activities and divine spa treatments.
The average nightly rate sits around $600 but this deal takes that down by a peg with four-night stays for $2199 (or $1100 per person). Plus, it includes a buffet daily buffet breakfast, full use of the resort's facilities - including non-motorised watersports - and discounted airport launch transfers. Which, translates to a cheap one-hour scenic flight above the Whitsundays. Incredible.
With prices this cheap you have no excuses not to book yourself a tropical week away. On top of your already bargain stay, this deal comes with free daily breakfast, a day tour of Kahung Beach and TBH2000 (approximately $90) in resort credit. Let Flight Centre take care of your flights to and from Australia and they'll also throw in airport transfers for free.
As for the hotel? It's a four-star haven that's garnered an impressive 2300 Google Reviews and, as the name suggests, is moments from the beach, though neatly tucked away from the Patong crowds.
"The rooms are quiet, spacious and clean," says on five-star review. "Exceeded my expectations!" exclaims another. "It has a great location on the beach and all the staff are friendly and nice!"
Whether you're a Disney adult or have grand plans to take the fam to the happiest place on Earth, Flight Centre is getting you there for 25 per cent less with this hotel deal. That's five-nights at the Sheraton Park Hotel which sits right on the doorstep of Disneyland.
Because the stay is all about the park, you'll have access to it daily. This is limited to one park per day. If you've booked a family trip, you'll get two adult and two child passes, valid for kids three to nine years old.
BEST HOLIDAY PACKAGES
$1055 bonus value: Blu Zea Resort by Double Six, seven-nights from $675 per person
Boasting an enviable four-tiered pool, spacious and airy rooms, a wellness spa, poolside bar and unique Greek Taverna, Blu-Zea is a haven for holidaymakers. It's also extremely family friendly with interconnecting rooms, a kids' corner packed with activities and a private cinema with a wide selection of movies.
With over $1000 in extras, you'll been living large for a steal as, not only are you scoring a whole week's worth of accommodation, you'll also get breakfast daily, a 60-minute massage, day trip to Nusa Penida, welcome bucket of beers and one set lunch and dinner menu.
"Fabulous vibe to the hotel," says one five-star review. "The room was luxurious and spotless, providing the perfect atmosphere for relaxation," says another.
Up to $615 off per person: The Tower Tomamu Japan, seven-nights from $1049 per person
Forget Thredbo. True powder hounds will tell you that Japan's snow is superior. And thanks to Flight Centre it won't cost you an arm and a leg to explore either with this Stay, Ski & Play Package in Tomamu saving you hundreds.
Valid for selected seasonal dates (sorry folks, the peak Christmas season is excluded), it's perfect for a week of skiing or snowboarding, with seven-nights accommodation, daily lift passes, return airport transfers and breakfast all included.
Because we all need a break it also comes with entry to the famous Ice Village winter festival and tickets to Mina Mina Beach; Japan's largest indoor wave pool.
Up to $4699 bonus value: Siyam World Maldives, seven-nights from $3400 per person
If you've made the effort to fly to the Maldives then you really have to go the extra mile and stay in an overwater bungalow. Luckily, it won't cost you an arm and a leg when you book a stay at Siyam World through Flight Centre.
Packed with over $4600 in bonus value, this unforgettable week in paradise is completely all-inclusive with three meals daily, selected drinks and a guaranteed water villa with a private plunge pool. The personal slide into the lagoon is also a nice fun touch.
"Lived up to and beyond our expectations," says one traveller on TripAdvisor. "The perfect holiday that redefined what an all-inclusive should look like. Five-star service, friendliness, food and drink. Everything was perfect from the moment we arrived."
$1499 bonus value: Warwick Fiji holiday, seven-nights from $1000 per person (previously $1150pp)
Fiji is an absolute paradise for couples seeking sun, relaxation and romance. If you want to get away from the resort-heavy Denarau Island in the north, then the five-star Warwick Fiji is the answer. It sits along the Coral Coast in the south, and has been praised for its "fantastic sunset views", "cool vibe" and "beautiful" location.
To make the most of your holiday, this seven-day package comes laden with complimentary extras, including a 60-minute massage, Sigatoka Shopping District Tour and a reef tour of your choice. To make life even easier (you are on an island holiday, after all) a full buffet breakfast and return airport transfers have also been thrown in.
It's just had another price drop, originally on sale for $1150 per person, now $1000 per person. Get in quick.
BEST CRUISE DEALS
Families frothed when Disney made its big announcement to sail through Australian waters. If you missed out on the first season - or couldn't part with the dollars - you can score a last-minute November 2024 cruise for a very tasty price.
Now down to $1145 per person for a five-night cruise, sailings depart for Melbourne bound for Auckland and include all the magic you could ever want. Think character meet and greets, youth clubs, themed meals, and live entertainment.
Cure those post-holiday blues with a sunny escape up the coast of Queensland. This sailing departs on January 4, 2025, capturing all that glorious sunshine and comes with return flights to Brisbane and a night's stay at the Art Series the Johnson in Brisbane.
If you've never been on a Royal Caribbean ship you're in for a treat. Coined as the best all-rounder by Escape, these mega liners are like floating cities, offering fun and entertainment to suit all ages and travel styles. All meals are included and, if you wish to give yourself a bonus treat, upgrades to a balcony room can cost as little as $330 more per person.
BEST TOUR DEALS
50 per cent off Thailand Island Hopping - West Coast, eight-days from $935 per person
Half-off. No, you're not seeing things. This tour really is that cheap. Coming in at $935 per person you'll be sailing from dot to dot across some of Thailand's best known islands for a song.
Departing from Bangkok, it includes internal flights, seven-nights accommodation, some meals and plenty of free time to laze on or explore Thailand's beaches. A few activities have also been thrown in, including a half-day snorkelling experience around the Trang Islands as well as a traditional beach barbeque. Count us in!
Up to $830 off: Trafalgar European Wonderland, 11-day tour from $5445 per person
First timers in the region can do no better than this European tour - not least because it includes hand-picked accommodation, many meals, a fun kick-off party and a fully guided tour through our favourite must-visit cities. This includes the cultural meccas of Florence and Siena and the picturesque city of Lucerne.
Unlike other discounted tours which depart in the shoulder season, you'll be securing peak dates with this one with a June 12, 2025 departure. Blue skies and sunshine, here you come!
Plus, if you want to take all the planning out of your holiday you can tack on international return flights, and a night in Rome at the beginning and Paris at the end of your tour with this Fly, Stay and Tour package.
Fly and Tour: G Adventures Highlights of Morocco, 15-days from $3745 per person
Experience the sights, sounds, colours and flavours of Morocco on this comprehensive tour around the country.
What we love about this tour is that it spends a good amount of time winding through the bustling medinas of Marrakech, Casablanca and Fes, as well as experiencing the natural landscape with trekking tours of the Sahara, sunset camel rides and home cooked meals under the famous High Atlas Mountains all on the agenda.
Return flights from Melbourne to Casablanca are included, as is your completely guided tour, over a dozen unique experiences, nightly hotel accommodation, all breakfasts and a stay in a Berber mountain gite.
BEST FLIGHT DEALS
USA flights from $1172 return on Fiji Airways
Los Angeles or San Francisco? Fiji Airways flies to them both and fares have now dropped as low as $1172 return. It's not just one route that's sporting this price tag either with Sydney-Los Angeles, Brisbane-Los Angeles, Brisbane-San Francisco and Sydney-San Francisco all starting at this epic price. Even more, the travel dates range from February 3, 2025 through to August 31, 2025. Blackout dates apply but there are loads of summer dates to snatch up.
Years ago Amsterdam was one of the cheapest ways into Europe. Now it sounds like Paris has taken over with fares inching closer to and closer to pre-Covid prices, starting at $1325 return for early 2025 trips. The cheapest route Flight Centre has hunted out is from Melbourne to Paris on China Southern Airlines.
If you're flying in from the western cities though, you'll be sitting pretty on the five-star Qatar Airways with flights from Adelaide down to $1353 return or from Perth from $1365 return.
Travel dates range from February 3, 2025 to April 4, 2025.
Want more discounts? Don’t miss out on the news.com.au Coupons section. There, you can find savings on all manner of travel experiences through companies such as Klook, Red Balloon and Experience Oz.
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