Australia is all about long summer days on Sydney's beaches, coastal drives along the Great Ocean Road, and exploring the Great Barrier Reef. Because our winter is their summer, you want to aim for December through February when the weather is at its warmest. Booking five to six months out gives you the best shot at reasonable flights and available lodging before peak holiday rates kick in.
A typical US trip runs around $7,800 once you factor in long-haul flights, hotels, and getting around. Spreading that out over time makes it much easier to manage without draining your checking account all at once. Here is how to map out the booking process and handle the payments.
That 18-month window is a hard deadline, not free money. If you still carry a balance when the period ends, you will get hit with interest on whatever is left.