I tried to book an open round-trip LAX-PEK (Beijing) ticket with AA and was told that all airlines' round-trip tickets expire in 12 months. My only choice was to buy a one-way now and another one-way later, the AA agent said.

Would anyone happen to know any other alternatives with any airline or is this it? Thanks for the help.

That is correct. Maximum ticket validity is one year

Dave

Book the LAX-PEK as far ahead as you can... ie MAR 20, 2003. And leave the return OPEN.

You may rebook your flight prior to that date if you like, but your return (as long as AA does not reissue it - which I don't think they will since they don't fly the route and probably China Eastern codeshares it..) will be valid till MAR 20, 2004!

This works best for full fare tickets. Other restricted tickets' rules apply so it might not work that way.

QUOTED by bkong:I tried to book an open round-trip LAX-PEK (Beijing) ticket with AA and was told that all airlines' round-trip tickets expire in 12 months. My only choice was to buy a one-way now and another one-way later, the AA agent said.

As long as the 1st segment has a date on it, the ticket will be valid 1 year FROM that date of departure. If you leave it entirely OPEN, then the validity of the ticket will be 1 year from the date of issue.

[This message has been edited by Guy Betsy (edited 04-27-2002).]

Thanks for the help! Since I leave June 2002 and return July 2003, I guess I'll just have to swallow the cost of two one-ways.

bkong - you'll probably find out that the cost of the return oneway from China would be cheaper than the return.. HOWEVER, you may not be able to get it on an AA flight number if you want a cheaper fare! AA might sell or worse... no one there in China might even know how to sell you a codeshare ticket.

bkong, my brother bought last year a 15 months RTW on QF/BA from STA travel. I'm sure you could also get a 15 month regular fare.

goodo

godoo - there is no such thing as a 15 month ticket. All fares have a maximum validity of 12 months only.

STA's RTW is usually NOT a single ticket. They try to combine the special or student fares they have and get you the routing so they can get the trip for more than 1 year.

Last time when I chatting with them for a USA-Aussie ticket for my RTW, they offered to do a RTW by the above method for me.