Buying refundable ticket during New year period
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2015
Posts: 7
Buying refundable ticket during New year period
Hi, I need to travel from Toronto to San Jose, California on Jan 2nd as I have to start my internship on Jan 4th Monday. I got my J1 visa approved today but the officer said I can get my passport in two to three weeks time. She also mentioned that I can buy refundable or ticket that I can change the dates. For the above travel of one way, presently it costs me around $510. If it is week-after or in off-peak period, it's around $250. I am student and can not afford too much. What are the options do I have.
1. I can buy it once I have the visa (let's say I get it on Dec 28th). Then I have to buy a ticket which I have to fly in 4 days time. By the time, the ticker price would be skyrocket.
2. Buy a refundable or flexible date (any tickets available like that?) ticket now. But it will be more than $510 to cover the refund option. Which website suitable for it?
3. Buy any travel insurance policy to cover myself?
Thanks-in-advance for the help.
1. I can buy it once I have the visa (let's say I get it on Dec 28th). Then I have to buy a ticket which I have to fly in 4 days time. By the time, the ticker price would be skyrocket.
2. Buy a refundable or flexible date (any tickets available like that?) ticket now. But it will be more than $510 to cover the refund option. Which website suitable for it?
3. Buy any travel insurance policy to cover myself?
Thanks-in-advance for the help.
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Massachusetts, USA; AA Plat, DL GM and Flying Colonel; Bonvoy Platinum
Posts: 24,209
Welcome to FT!
I always buy non-refundable tickets when I'm after savings. The occasional losses when one becomes worthless (or worth very little, in terms of credit toward a future flight minus change fees) are tiny compared to the amount I save over time.
Your willingness to make this bet may vary, but that's one data point.
I always buy non-refundable tickets when I'm after savings. The occasional losses when one becomes worthless (or worth very little, in terms of credit toward a future flight minus change fees) are tiny compared to the amount I save over time.
Your willingness to make this bet may vary, but that's one data point.
#3
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: New York, NY
Programs: AA Gold. UA Silver, Marriott Gold, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt (Lifetime Diamond downgraded to Explorist)
Posts: 6,776
Many tickets are changeable for a fee and sometimes fee+fare difference which can really add up. Right now of the airlines that I know of (not familiar with Westjet and a few other airlines policies) SouthWest has the most friendly policies in regards to changing the date. They do not fly out of YYZ or YTZ but they do fly out of BUF which isn't that far. I used to fly out of YYZ to London when I went to University in Buffalo and it's an easy trip.
Something else to consider is that sometimes it's cheaper to buy a return ticket instead of 1 way and either using the return for a visit home or just not using it at all.
Something else to consider is that sometimes it's cheaper to buy a return ticket instead of 1 way and either using the return for a visit home or just not using it at all.
#4
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: YYZ
Programs: United 1K,CX GOLD,SPG GOLD, Club Carlson GOLD, Accor PLAT, Amex PLAT
Posts: 219
Buying refundable ticket during New year period
A totally free to change/cancel ticket like you're after on AC to SFO showing ~$1800 one way on that date.
You're likely better off buying the cheaper ticket and eating a change fee/hoping there's availability on what you want to change to.
Alternatively, anyone in your family have some points/miles? May be helpful in this situation.
You're likely better off buying the cheaper ticket and eating a change fee/hoping there's availability on what you want to change to.
Alternatively, anyone in your family have some points/miles? May be helpful in this situation.
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 13,565
Hi, I need to travel from Toronto to San Jose, California on Jan 2nd as I have to start my internship on Jan 4th Monday. I got my J1 visa approved today but the officer said I can get my passport in two to three weeks time. She also mentioned that I can buy refundable or ticket that I can change the dates. For the above travel of one way, presently it costs me around $510. If it is week-after or in off-peak period, it's around $250. I am student and can not afford too much. What are the options do I have.
1. I can buy it once I have the visa (let's say I get it on Dec 28th). Then I have to buy a ticket which I have to fly in 4 days time. By the time, the ticker price would be skyrocket.
2. Buy a refundable or flexible date (any tickets available like that?) ticket now. But it will be more than $510 to cover the refund option. Which website suitable for it?
3. Buy any travel insurance policy to cover myself?
Thanks-in-advance for the help.
1. I can buy it once I have the visa (let's say I get it on Dec 28th). Then I have to buy a ticket which I have to fly in 4 days time. By the time, the ticker price would be skyrocket.
2. Buy a refundable or flexible date (any tickets available like that?) ticket now. But it will be more than $510 to cover the refund option. Which website suitable for it?
3. Buy any travel insurance policy to cover myself?
Thanks-in-advance for the help.
#6
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,298
OAK is less convenient, but tends to have cheap flights too. There's a shuttle to a BART station and then you're in the BART system, just as if you had started at SFO, although the travel time between the two airports would probably be about an hour.
In comparing fares into different airports, be sure to check the cost and logistics of transportation from the airport to your specific destination (apartment?) in San Jose.
In comparing fares into different airports, be sure to check the cost and logistics of transportation from the airport to your specific destination (apartment?) in San Jose.
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2015
Posts: 7
A totally free to change/cancel ticket like you're after on AC to SFO showing ~$1800 one way on that date.
You're likely better off buying the cheaper ticket and eating a change fee/hoping there's availability on what you want to change to.
Alternatively, anyone in your family have some points/miles? May be helpful in this situation.
You're likely better off buying the cheaper ticket and eating a change fee/hoping there's availability on what you want to change to.
Alternatively, anyone in your family have some points/miles? May be helpful in this situation.
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2015
Posts: 7
OAK is less convenient, but tends to have cheap flights too. There's a shuttle to a BART station and then you're in the BART system, just as if you had started at SFO, although the travel time between the two airports would probably be about an hour.
In comparing fares into different airports, be sure to check the cost and logistics of transportation from the airport to your specific destination (apartment?) in San Jose.
In comparing fares into different airports, be sure to check the cost and logistics of transportation from the airport to your specific destination (apartment?) in San Jose.
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2015
Posts: 7
Looking at this option. For me it shows $840 as the lowest in American.
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2015
Posts: 7
A totally free to change/cancel ticket like you're after on AC to SFO showing ~$1800 one way on that date.
You're likely better off buying the cheaper ticket and eating a change fee/hoping there's availability on what you want to change to.
Alternatively, anyone in your family have some points/miles? May be helpful in this situation.
You're likely better off buying the cheaper ticket and eating a change fee/hoping there's availability on what you want to change to.
Alternatively, anyone in your family have some points/miles? May be helpful in this situation.