Book one way now and one way later or wait and book return

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crow

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I am planning to book 2 seats ADL-SYD-LAX for about this time next year then a couple of weeks later return with SFO-SYD-ADL.

I have a couple of options.

Book one way ADL to LAX as soon as it is 355 days from my departure date and then book one way from SFO to ADL as soon as it is 355 days from my proposed return date.

Or option 2, wait until it is 355 days from my proposed return date and book ADL-SYD-LAX and then SFO-SYD-ADL at the same time.

Obviously with option 2 I risk losing the availability of the outward leg while awaiting the three weeks for the return leg to be available.

Are there any reasons not to or disadvantages in using option 1 that I am unaware of?

Thanks,

BT
 
Re: Book one way now and one way later or wait and book retu

crow said:
I am planning to book 2 seats ADL-SYD-LAX for about this time next year then a couple of weeks later return with SFO-SYD-ADL.

I have a couple of options.

Book one way ADL to LAX as soon as it is 355 days from my departure date and then book one way from SFO to ADL as soon as it is 355 days from my proposed return date.

Or option 2, wait until it is 355 days from my proposed return date and book ADL-SYD-LAX and then SFO-SYD-ADL at the same time.

Obviously with option 2 I risk losing the availability of the outward leg while awaiting the three weeks for the return leg to be available.

Are there any reasons not to or disadvantages in using option 1 that I am unaware of?

Thanks,

BT

I believe that your biggest risk is the one that you've highlighted. That is by waiting you may loose the flexibility of getting exactly what you want on the outward leg. You need to balance this with your flexibility (or otherwise) if you can't get exactly what you want for the return.

Good luck. :)
 
I'm assuming you're talking about Qantas FF points and booking a ticket.

One of the advantages introduced in May last year was 2x One Way awards costing the same as a return award from a points perspective.

I think it is pretty reasonable to jump in ASAP to get your outward journey, then book a seperate inbound journey when it is released.

Apart from the benefits/ gotchas above, The issues I see with doing this is possibly 2 cancellation fees if you need to cancel as well as possibly not finding the availability you need on the inbound journey and having to cancel.

I don't see it as a real issue though. Seats this far out (especially in economy) should have fairly ok availability. You can also choose a more convoluted route back home if you can't find the availability and can't go the direct route - be creative!

Also, if you are Plat/Gold/Silver, there is an unwritten benefit of the 2500 point date change fee being able to be waived. Assuming it still applies, you could just book your preferred outbound flight now with a dummy return date and then phone up later and change it at the right time.
 
Thanks for the feedback.

I was talking about QFF and I think will book oneway for both legs when thay are available.
 
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crow said:
Thanks for the feedback.

I was talking about QFF and I think will book oneway for both legs when thay are available.
I did this myself when booking a ticket for my daughter to accompany me on a business trip to Singapore. I booked her outbound ticket as soon as I could get availability, then about a week later found a return ticket for her and took that. Then I asked my TA to purchase tickets for me on the same flights.

The only minor issue you face is that check-in staff will want to see your return e-ticket when you depart Australia. I even had to show this in Singapore when checking in for a JL flight to KUL. I guess they want to make sure you will eventually be going home!
 
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