Not Sure of Return Date - Best Booking Option?

[robd]

So I have Jnr#2 heading back to AMS in March from MEL with no problem booking the outgoing flight, but she is unsure of a return date.

What is the best option in this scenario? Book a return 12 months out or book a one way?

Can you extend a return date past 12 months (paying the fee)?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

So I have Jnr#2 heading back to AMS in March from MEL with no problem booking the outgoing flight, but she is unsure of a return date.

What is the best option in this scenario? Book a return 12 months out or book a one way?

Can you extend a return date past 12 months (paying the fee)?

You have a few options.

Booking one way with an open return is usually a more expensive option. You pay accordingly for the 'flexibility' of a long stay. But there may be some carriers that are more forgiving and will offer a lower fare for even one-year tickets. You'd then change this, usually with a change fee and any difference in fare if applicable.

Tickets are generally valid for one year. So extending beyond that is not common.

The other option, depending on the fare and carrier you find, and Jnr#2's travel plans, you be to 'nest' tickets. Buy a one way, but then purchase round-trip tickets from Europe back to MEL. These can usually be very cheap, and quite possibly the same or less cost than buying a one-way ticket home from Europe.

I would use googleflights to check out some options for carriers with a one-year return. And also the same tool to check both one-way and return flights ex Europe. That should give you a few options to work out the cheapest method.

 

[robd]

You have a few options.

Booking one way with an open return is usually a more expensive option. You pay accordingly for the 'flexibility' of a long stay. But there may be some carriers that are more forgiving and will offer a lower fare for even one-year tickets. You'd then change this, usually with a change fee and any difference in fare if applicable.

Tickets are generally valid for one year. So extending beyond that is not common.

The other option, depending on the fare and carrier you find, and Jnr#2's travel plans, you be to 'nest' tickets. Buy a one way, but then purchase round-trip tickets from Europe back to MEL. These can usually be very cheap, and quite possibly the same or less cost than buying a one-way ticket home from Europe.

I would use googleflights to check out some options for carriers with a one-year return. And also the same tool to check both one-way and return flights ex Europe. That should give you a few options to work out the cheapest method.

I didn't think of the nesting option. Excellent idea. Thanks.

 

[Mattg]

I would personally book one-way, either on points or with low-cost airlines. You can get to Asia for a few hundred dollars on the likes of Scoot, Air Asia etc. then on to Europe relatively cheaply from Bangkok using Eurowings or Norwegian.