Travel to the U.S From Australia

If you're seeking a low budget vacation package to travel to the U.S. I have just the solution. Try Japan Airlines. When departing Australia the airfares with J.A.L. are significantly cheaper. Is there a downside? No. Not if you don't mind a wonderful overnight stay in either Osaka or Tokyo. Flights out of Australia, particularly on Mondays and Fridays can be difficult to secure. If you're traveling with another person you'll be hard pressed to locate 2 seats together; if you can find a flight at all.

Flying out of Melbourne mid week directly to Tokyo will get you a discount as much as $500 or $600. The flight is around 11 hours. You will likely find that there are many empty seats on the outbound flight too, so stretching out and taking a nap is no problem. Meals served in flight are of course Japanese style, although you are able to pre order a more western style meal is this is what you prefer.

Upon arrival in Tokyo, you will be transported by bus to your Hotel for an overnight stay. The staff are very gracious but I did have some problems with the language barrier. Buses ferry guests in and out of the Hotel all day from every conceivable place in the world you could imagine. Fortunately some are fluent in both Japanese and English, so lounging in the overstuffed armchairs in the foyer is a great way to meet people and find someone who can ask the staff a question for you in the native tongue.
A word of caution, if you need to call ahead to arrange pickup from the airport at your destination;do not call the U.S from a public telephone. The rates are astronomical. There is public internet upstairs at the Hotel with a small surcharge for 30 minutes use. Send an email instead.