Originally Posted by
Emirated
Thanks for the info so far, even though it's not what I want to hear!
For context, selecting/changeing dates isn't the problem ... the reason for the questions is that I'd rather book once bookings are open, but it's a long gap between outbound and inbound (3 months) - so ...
Would prefer to grab fares before buckets are empty, upgrades before they vanish, and nice seats before they're taken, of course, not to mention trying to co-ordinate with getting bookings on other airlines for connections (including points bookings which vanish soon after 365 days out).
Sadly, EK don't seem to offer sensible one-way pricing, unlike some airlines, otherwise I'd just grab two one-ways.
(Pity there isn't such a thing as being able to book a return flight with a confirmed departure date under 365 days ahead, and, say, a set date for the return, even though it's over a year away ... that way they'd still have my money, for even longer, and I wouldn't have all the worry!
)
BTW: The fares would be J (with just enough points in the "family pool" to upgrade one way from standard flex, if my calculations are correct, and if you can do that from the family pool ... but's upgrades are less important than airfares and seats!)
I'm not sure if / how this might help, but I generally have long gaps between outbound and return flights. It has to do with fare differences between different markets, but that's another story.
I normally fly J, sometimes F if I can get a good 'deal' and never Y (fingers crossed...)
What I do is book the outgoing in J, preferably Saver and the return in Y Flex+. At that stage I have a vague idea of when I will fly the inbound leg, but it can easily vary by a week or two. It is often 5 or 6 months after the outbound, hence the planning uncertainty. Once I know when I want to return, I change the Y Flex+ date (no charge fee because it is a Flex+) and then upgrade it to J (again Saver if it is available). The cost of that is just the fare difference as it was when I booked the original ticket. As I get closer to the return flight I start trying out what the cost is for a further upgrade to F (Flex, 'A' fare bucket). A few times, I have been pleasantly surprised, otherwise I just stay in J (and am perfectly OK with that). If I add up the three lots of money I have given to EK (original Y Flex+, upgrade to J, upgrade to F) it is still a bit eye-watering, but it does not seem to feel so bad. I call it the 'salami method' of flying F'. Small slices at a time. As a bonus, collecting the extra (tier) miles for F has helped me to get to / maintain Gold once or twice.