Note: All of these flights are for the year 2003. 

I require some serious research done to provide answers to the 
following: 

Where can I get the cheapest First Class or (maybe) Business 
Class Tickets to and/or from the following locations. 

Kingston/Montego Bay to Pina Del Rio Havana departing approx
June 1,2,3
(Note: I recently flew on this flight path with Air Jamaica and
due to the small size of the aircraft it was only 1 class.

Approx June 14,15,16 Pina Del Rio to London.
(perhaps/maybe via Jamaica)
Approx June 28,29,30 Depart London to New Delhi.

Approx July 5,6,7 Depart New Delhi preferably direct to to Cairns
Australia. (Next choice is New Delhi direct to Brisbane.)

I need to be able to book and pay for these tickets on the internet
and need to know what restriction (if any) are on the tickets.
Note: I find I sometimes need to change dates. And really need that
option, without too great a penalty.

For all legs I would like to know the cost of both 1st and Business
Class. I am finding after a "cuppla" chardoneys and a hearty meal I
tend to doze off on these longer flights and wake up at my destination
(well almost). So business class is a possible consideration this time
around. (If we cant find some "good-value" 1st Class tickets) 

Special Note: The difference in the price of a first class ticket London
to Australia can vary enormously between different carriers. I am hoping
with some good research we can "rat-out" some bargain price first class
tickets. What with SARS & Terrorism you would think the airlines would
considerably reduce the price of First Class Tickets. They seem to offer
plenty of bargins "cattle-class" (no disrespect meant to anyone).
But almost zero reduction on first class tickets. The last half dozen
flights I have had I have had the entire first class cabin to myself.
With maybe one other isolated person.

I am seeking to have this fully researched, and decisions made for
me based on value for money. I have flown 1st class on many flights
with many different airlines. I can assure you that after a "cuppla"
Chardoneys (stretch out the old legs) and there is not a lot of I 
difference. So why such a hugh variation in price I ask myself?
So I am primarially looking to get "value" for my money. 

I am hopeful of saving some big bucks on these tickets and will tip to
max for good research and a five star answer/s. My time is my own so
all dates are flexible to track down a good bargain.

Kind regards from Roger

---

Request for Question Clarification by clouseau-ga on 22 May 2003 22:07 PDT

Hello again Roger,

I immediately learned something on this search: I can not book flights
(or even check flight fares) on some trips that start outside of the
US on some of the more popular travel web sites. Orbitz falls into
this category, for example. So unless the trip originates stateside,
some sites refuse to cooperate. Expedia.com will not book or quote
flights to Havana (or from Jamaica - they did not specify which
desitnation was taboo)!

Undaunted, I pushed on. Poured a tall chardonnay and donned my headset
and keyboard.

Since some of these flights have difficulty booking online, at least
from the states, I called American Express travel *assuming* you must
have an American Express card. Unfortunately, not knowing which flavor
American Express card you carry and not having the card number, they
would not research this information for me. My lowly Blue card got me
nowhere in the evening hours.

When online searching at Travelocity balked, I called their customer
service. Travelocity would not check multiple airports or dates for
fare comparisons and also would not book to or from Cuba. They also
mentioned that any fare quotes I find online today are likely to
change tomorrow with the volatile nature of travel as it is today.
Good point.

I think that the best deals and most accurate quotes might be
uncovered by using a travel agent and a patient one at that, even if
only the American Express Travel Agency, though you would then have to
call them to do final bookings rather than book online. How important
is the ability to book online to you?

All that being said, I will unlock this question for the others listed
to give their best efforts. Should I find this question unanswered and
unlocked tomorrow, I will attempt to go voice with the airlines and
agents to see what I can uncover for you.

Best,

-=clouseau=-

---

Clarification of Question by bwll77-ga on 23 May 2003 00:43 PDT

Good Morning clouseau. I didnt realize it would prove to be so
difficult. I set the question at 8.30pm Kingston time. Somebody else
had the question locked for a hour
or two then i noticed, no comment and it locked again. I found that
quite confusing.
Nonetheless now that you have commented I understand. Time is now 2.30
am I went
to bed about midnight and have been tossing and turning ever since.
Thought
I would check again and found your comments. 

Problem is with Travel Agents, especially in places like Kingston,
they have no
interest whatsoever in getting you value for your money. The more
expensive the
tickets they sell you the more money they make (I think). I have had a
couple of ridiculous quotes from here which is the reason I have
turned to you my friends at GA.

I will check again in about 5-6 hours time and probably reset the
question eliminating the cuba leg of the journey. I have an
appointment with the Cuban Embassy here on Monday morning next
regarding a Business Visa and once I have had that appointment I can
be more specific regarding dates etc.

If you GA guys/gals cannot help me I will just fly Air Jamaica to Cuba
and back
(like I did last week) then fly Air Jamaica 1st class to London. In
London the
Travel Industry is more competitive and I will just go to any Local
London Agency for the final legs of the journey.

It is not all that important/imperative for me to pay via the net. I
just thought that would be easiest (more convenient). By the way I had
a "run-in" with Amex about a decade ago and vowed never to use them
again. So these days, in my retirement, I use a couple of Visa Gold
Cards together with half a dozen "Off-Shore" Visa-Debit Cards. I have
no problem existing without Amex; which might be a little more
difficult living in the States(??).

Anyway I will get back to bed and check again, as I say, in another
5-6 hours.
Thank you for (yet again) for you kind help and assistance, it is much
appreciated. Good night from: Roger

---

Clarification of Question by bwll77-ga on 23 May 2003 04:37 PDT

Good morning all; it is now 10hours (plus) since I originally posted
this question and in light of the fact that it is not currently locked
and
further in light of what clouseau has said I am going to close this
question off (now) in it's present form. Thank you to any and all who
had a go at it.
And kind regards from: Roger