"Open" Return?
Jun 1, 2014, 10:07 pm
#1
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"Open" Return?
I can't find the answer to this readily in a post merger thread.
it used to be common to book round trips with "open" return dates. I haven't had a need to do this before, but with a son returning home from college with a known coming home date but only a "sometime at the end of the summer" return date, how best to book? 2 one ways? (this would be far less than a unrestricted full fare RT). Is there still a way to do an open date return?
it used to be common to book round trips with "open" return dates. I haven't had a need to do this before, but with a son returning home from college with a known coming home date but only a "sometime at the end of the summer" return date, how best to book? 2 one ways? (this would be far less than a unrestricted full fare RT). Is there still a way to do an open date return?
Jun 1, 2014, 10:39 pm
#2
Join Date: Jul 2004
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This is a good question. It's been awhile I've heard this. In my younger years, when I would spend my summers in Europe with my grandparents, I would have a ticket with an open return. They wouldn't be expensive full-fare tickets either, simple coach fares. I'm sure these still exist - those in the travel business on here would know better.
Jun 1, 2014, 10:52 pm
#3
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AFAIK, UA doesn't issue open-ended published fare tickets anymore. You could get close by buying a ticket without a change fee and immediately after ticketing, cancel the return segment and just leave the return portion of the ticket hanging out there without a confirmed segment.
I still think you can get true "open return" international tickets through consolidators, where they book a confirmed outbound leg and leave the return open and wait for you to call to book the actual date.
I still think you can get true "open return" international tickets through consolidators, where they book a confirmed outbound leg and leave the return open and wait for you to call to book the actual date.
Jun 2, 2014, 8:54 pm
#5
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SEA-HNL
The absence of replies is likely telling...I'll bet this is now a historical relic.
Bought him a OW home, so thats that for now. If I find an answer that helps, I'll use it for his return / back home.
The absence of replies is likely telling...I'll bet this is now a historical relic.
Bought him a OW home, so thats that for now. If I find an answer that helps, I'll use it for his return / back home.
Jun 2, 2014, 9:22 pm
#6
Join Date: Oct 2013
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This is the answer, at least for domestic fares. Open return is unnecessary. You can always pay the change fee for international, still cheaper than two one ways. But if this still exists for international flights, I'd also be very interested in learning how it works.
Jun 2, 2014, 9:47 pm
#7
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Hardly anyone ever purchase them as they are the highest fares you can buy for the cabin. You need to contact a full service travel agency to book. It doesn't really make sense for anyone to purchase them unless someone else is paying.
Last edited by TerryK; Jun 2, 2014 at 9:53 pm
Jun 2, 2014, 9:58 pm
#8
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I've been a 1K since the late 90's and quite tuned in to this sort of thing and the only time I ever heard of open ended tickets was in the movies or on TV. With an unrestricted ticket you can change the return without a change fee but "open ended" tickets are a thing of the way way way back and no longer exist...at least on US carriers.
Jul 26, 2014, 2:50 pm
#9
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Back to TX after living across the pond
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International college student
My European based son is studying in the US and needs to fly from Europe and return to Europe at Christmas time. If I follow the discussion correctly then the date of starting school is know so the first ticket should be the cheapest ticket option (can't find again the wiki that had the fare class of tickets) and the second return should be a changeable one. Is that correct? Can anyone help with the fare classes I want please.
Jul 26, 2014, 3:00 pm
#10
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It's not something you can pull up on ua.com, especially if the POS is in the US.
"Open tickets" are extremely common from foreign destinations, which are essentially ticketed by travel agents. I've never heard of it working (outside a normal refundable/changeable high fare class) within the US.
One option is to book with miles as one-ways, and if you're Plat or above, changing is not an issue. Of course, as it's Xmas time on the return, it may be tougher then to find Saver inventory.
"Open tickets" are extremely common from foreign destinations, which are essentially ticketed by travel agents. I've never heard of it working (outside a normal refundable/changeable high fare class) within the US.
One option is to book with miles as one-ways, and if you're Plat or above, changing is not an issue. Of course, as it's Xmas time on the return, it may be tougher then to find Saver inventory.
Jul 26, 2014, 3:36 pm
#12
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And thanks to low cost airlines, domestic fares are now priced on a one-way basis so the OP should just buy a one-way ticket now and wait to buy another one-way ticket for the return when he knows the dates with certainty.
Jul 26, 2014, 3:36 pm
#13
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....If I follow the discussion correctly then the date of starting school is know so the first ticket should be the cheapest ticket option (can't find again the wiki that had the fare class of tickets) and the second return should be a changeable one. Is that correct? ....
Make a best guess on the return date and if needed pay the change fee. The higher cost of a changeable would have exceed the change fee in most cases.
Jul 26, 2014, 11:42 pm
#14
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eg, many SFO-EWR fares, especially close in, are not available for one-ways.
That said, booking two one-ways is still probably the best option, especially as long as you're not booking last minute.
Jul 27, 2014, 4:32 am
#15
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