Adelaide - Chicago | Elite Status on Every Alliance + Platinum on Etihad

[Rakesh]

Need to fly one-way from Adelaide to Chicago, around the 15th of August +- a few days.

Two questions:

I am heading for a year-long study abroad and do not know my return dates/cities, should I book a flexible ticket or two one ways?

I have Star Alliance Gold (Avianca Brazil Diamond), One World Sapphire (Air Berlin Gold), Skyteam Elite Plus (Alitalia FRECCIA ALATA PLUS/Platinum, also partners with Etihad). I am the king of status matches. For the dates I have looked, all airlines are really the same priced (~1300-1500 one way in economy) and hence really want to maximise my travel experience mainly lounges. Etihad is my first pick letting me use their new lounge in Melbourne, plus the first class lounge in Abu Dhabi however the trade-off is a longer journey time. Open to other options.

Cheers for the advice,
Rakesh

 

[JohnK]

Have you looked at any flexible return airfares? Fully flexible airfares are not usually cheap and could be more expensive than 2 cheap one-ways. Semi flexible airfares may work out cheaper if that's your intention but that is dependent on any change fees involved.

Another possibility is to use points/miles for a one-way award. If you don't have any points/miles look at buying points via Aadvantage or Avianca and travel in business class for roughly the same price as one-way economy.

 

[casanovawa]

Maybe you could buy a cheap return airfare and if the return date ends up not working for you just chuck it away and at that point buy a one way or get it on points...

But when travelling to the USA before I have been asked to show proof of a return flight so this would cover you without going to the expense of fancy flexible fares?

 

[ozbeachbabe]

Will you be coming back to ADL for holidays at all in those 12 months eg for Xmas, a wedding or any other family do?

Have you got any points you plan to use for part of the trip?

You could always purchase a one way cheapie on JQ ex MEL to SIN or DPS then look for a cheap J or PE fare ex Asia to ORD or the West Coast.

Another option is a JQ cheapie to HNL then buy a cheap domestic fare HNL/ORD or use QF points for a partner award on AA or VA points for DL or HA award.

 

[Rakesh]

No returns to Adelaide during the year, also no miles to spend.