Best "flexi" tickets for Europe

[N860CR]

I have a family member who is off to live in France for about a year. For the relevant visa, a "return" ticket is required. The return date won't be fixed so an amount of flexibility is needed.

One preference is to book something flexible and use the outbound and maybe refund the return after arrival, however I'm not sure if airlines will allow a partial refund after travel has commenced.

Otherwise, can anybody suggest which carriers have generally the most flexible/affordable fare combos?

 

[JohnK]

Have you thought about FF miles/points as 2 one-way awards where you cancel the return and get a refund of the miles/points and taxes. Or doesn't that count as a return ticket?

 

[BensAdventures]

I was thinking 2 one-way tickets too, awards or otherwise. I know a colleague did this a year or so ago, and booked a relatively expensive full flex economy ticket one-way, and cancelled it with a full refund.

 

[N860CR]

Thanks. Awards were an option... But it would have been Y so poor value.

SQ had a fairly good flexi for about $2700 which allows the return date to be changed within minimal hassle