Open Return Date
 

I am a newie, please bear with me.

I am planing to travel from New Orleans to China soon, within few months, with a non-specified return date. The return date will be very time flexible within couple weeks though. I am confused between 3 options:

1. One way ticket
2. Open return ticket
3. Dated return ticket with option to change.

Thanks in advance for your advice.

1. One way does exactly what it says on the tin. However, this does not mean it will cost half the price of a return ticket on long haul, and may even cost more considerably more than a round trip! Plus you would then have to buy the one way return trip.

2. With an open return ticket no return flight has been booked, and you would have to arrange to return during a set period (say 6 months or a year) on a date when there is the appropriate availability in the right booking class. May not be available on all airlines/routes. Will probably include an admin fee for arranging return trip and are likely to cost more than a standard return. More common with various specialist, student or RTW fares and you are unlikely to see it as an option booking yourself on an airline's web site.

3. A fully flexible return ticket would allow you to change your ticket's return date, usually without a fee. However the ticket will cost a lot more than a regular non-flexible ticket. A cheaper ticket might allow changes for a fee, and the cheapest will not allow any changes at all.

Cheapest option is to pick a return date and stick to it! I'd avoid buying single tickets, as there are almost certainly not going to be a budget option. You'll have to ask around with travel agents to find out about open returns - they might be a good deal to China, but could also end up very expensive. You can try making a few mock bookings online yourself to find out what sort of flexible ticketing is available - you might be able to find a reasonably priced ticket where the cost of changing the return date is not too high and so works out cheaper overall than an open return.

At a guess, I'd say you might be able to get a good deal with a specialist TA on an open return, but it is worth checking carefully the rules and fees for changing a regular ticket that you might be able to pick up yourself. Prepare for a spot of research!!

ngungo,

welcome to FlyerTalk.

While an interesting question, it really has nothing to do with Budget Travel, so I am moving it to TravelBuzz! Forum.

Thanks for understanding.

EmailKid
Budget Travel Moderator

Woops I have got to stop opening multiple FT tabs and posting on the wrong one >_< Second time today....

Sorry for dragging this ancient thread up.

Open return ticket is the best option.

price all of your options....1 ways would probably be be easiest.... good luck..

Nice bump. :)

One positive development in the years since this thread was originated: one-ways (both award and paid) have generally become more available and more fairly priced.

Later this year, I'm flying to PVG on one award type and back home on a separate award type. In 2006, that wouldn't have been possible on any of my airlines.

The only potential caveat to buying only a one-way is that in some countries immigration officers will want to see the return flight confirmation.

But if you're planning to be in the country for many months and have the appropriate paperwork (student visa or whatnot), that's probably less of an issue.

speaking of bumping. does anyone know the code for an open fare/ticket. I am using ITA Travel Matrix Software and I'd like to confirm what the disclaimers indicate.