New Zealand: L.A.-Auckland round-trip airfares start at $848 for May travel

Air New Zealand has a sale on round-trip airfares from Los Angeles to Auckland.

The deal: Discover New Zealand fares start at the bargain price of $848 round trip, excluding taxes and fees. Add $150, and you get three stops within the country on the airline’s Airpass -- a great way to see more and save.

When: Good for travel May 4 to June 6 (remember, that’s late fall / early winter in New Zealand), but you must purchase tickets by 11:59 p.m. PST Monday. Fares are $250 higher for travel during March and April.

Tested: I went to Air New Zealand’s website and found the sale airfare available from May 22 to 27 for slightly less than the advertised low rate. Here’s the breakdown on the fare I confirmed Tuesday online: $828 base fare; $87.10 for taxes and fees; total cost $915.10.

If you want to purchase the Airpass for travel within New Zealand, check the website for directions and destination options for booking multi-stop tickets. (You can phone the airline to reserve, but they tack on a $100 fee to do so.) One of the more popular routes includes visiting Rotorua, Christchurch and Queenstown.

Contact: Air New Zealand, (800) 262-1234