Flexable flight dates?

Four of a kind

How does one go about finding out about flexable dates for a return flight?

Planning to to to SE Asia next June but don't know when I'll be coming home(whenever money goes).

So if I wanted to fly in and out of bangkok but did'nt know what date I'd be returning home, how would I be able to get a flexable ticket?

I don't want to book separate flights as this would work out alot more expensive I'm sure.

Anyone any info?

BuffyBot

Most airlines will sell you a flexible ticket (either with a change fee, or more expensive again with no fees, that you can change as many times as you like) - however, when booking you'll always have to give *a* return date. You can then change it later.

Bear in mind that these tickets will be a bit more expensive than the cheap, non-flexible kinds.

Four of a kind

BuffyBot wrote: »

Most airlines will sell you a flexible ticket (either with a change fee, or more expensive again with no fees, that you can change as many times as you like) - however, when booking you'll always have to give *a* return date. You can then change it later.

Bear in mind that these tickets will be a bit more expensive than the cheap, non-flexible kinds.

Ok, thanks for the reply. So for instance, if I make a booking with/through ebookers.ie or any other site like that, how do I get the flexible ticket? I've never seen it on a site before?

magentas

I had normal return tickets to and from Bangkok and decided to stay an extra month so contacted the airliner a week or 2 before I was due to return home and changed the return date for about €30

I know you asked about flexi tickets but just want to show you that it's not that expensive to change the dates (not in my experience anyway)

Four of a kind

magentas wrote: »

I had normal return tickets to and from Bangkok and decided to stay an extra month so contacted the airliner a week or 2 before I was due to return home and changed the return date for about €30

I know you asked about flexi tickets but just want to show you that it's not that expensive to change the dates (not in my experience anyway)

Cheers,

Yeah the reason is because we plan on going for a min of 3/4 months, but will probably have enough money to last us 5/6 months, but we won't be sure. Plus you never know, we may have had enough after 3 months and decide to return home etc..

I don't want to go booking return flights without knowing for sure if we can change date and what costs etc would be involved.

Do you think we should just ring up the airline and see?

magentas

Four of a kind wrote: »

Cheers,

Yeah the reason is because we plan on going for a min of 3/4 months, but will probably have enough money to last us 5/6 months, but we won't be sure. Plus you never know, we may have had enough after 3 months and decide to return home etc..

I don't want to go booking return flights without knowing for sure if we can change date and what costs etc would be involved.

Do you think we should just ring up the airline and see?

Well I'm just speaking from MY experience and don't want to give you false info but I had planned 10wks around SE Asia and when I thought hmmm I don't wanna go home just yet... I'm having WAAAY too much fun! I thought I wouldn't have enough money to stay on after paying fee to change my return date but just walked into travel agents in Hanoi and asked could they suggest anything so they rang airliner and it was either €30/€40

Now this is about 5yrs ago so could be different now.
Who are ye flying with?

I'd send them an email asking bout flexi tickets AND reg return tickets and what is the fee for amending ret date.

I know I was offered a couple of dates for return but I was very flexible and didn't care when I came home:D

BuffyBot

So for instance, if I make a booking with/through ebookers.ie or any other site like that, how do I get the flexible ticket?

You may have to call them - depending on the site, or the airline, you may not be able to book it online. Many sites are geared to just spit out the cheapest fare, not one that necessarily has flexibility built in.

<edit>For example, I just picked the random fare on ebookers, and found an Etihad flight. Deep in the fare rules, you find the following:

Amendments to this ticket will incur airline charges detailed below and an ebookers.ie fee of €45.00 per ticket
FOR FARES WITH FOOTNOTE 11 CHANGES ANY TIME CHARGE EUR 125.00 FOR REISSUE/REVALIDATION. WAIVED FOR ILLNESS OR DEATH OF PASSENGER OR FAMILY MEMBER. NOTE - CHANGE FEES MUST BE CODED AS XP IN THE TAX FIELD. CHILD PAYS FULL CHARGE. INFANT NO CHANGE PENALTY APPLIES

---

ENTIRE TICKET CAN BE UPGRADED TO HIGHER FARE PROVIDED APPLICABLE CHANGE FEE IS COLECTED PLUS FARE DIFFERENCE

So not only will the airline charge you €125.00 plus the difference between the fare you paid, and the fare available on the day you want to go home (if it's more expensive), ebookers will also whack another €45.00 on top for the privilege.

You'll need to do some shopping around through the airlines/travel sites to find a good deal. </edit>

killbillvol2

If you want flexibility I think you'll be much better off to book directly with the airline.

Four of a kind

killbillvol2 wrote: »

If you want flexibility I think you'll be much better off to book directly with the airline.

Yeah...i think this probably will be the way I'll have to go about it. Just ring up the airline(any recommendations on which airline is best for booking flights to/from bangkok?) and see what they have to say.

Probably will cost a fortune

steve-o

You should also try a travel agent like Trailfinders who deal with this kind of ticket all the time. Explain what you want and they'll find you something suitable. Travel agents often have tickets that are not available directly from the airline.

dearg lady

Four of a kind wrote: »

Yeah...i think this probably will be the way I'll have to go about it. Just ring up the airline(any recommendations on which airline is best for booking flights to/from bangkok?) and see what they have to say.

Probably will cost a fortune

some airlines it can be booked online, they'll over a 'standard' or 'flexi' ticket. Try KLM, Etihad, Air India, Emirates, a price comparison like Ebookers might be useful just to give you an idea of what airlines are cheapest, then go on to airline website.
Air Asia are cheap, they fly to KL, might not be good for changes but I booked a flight to Stansted from KL about two weeks in advance for around 320 so not tooooo bad

Trampas

Air Asia are the ryanair of asia.

don't expect a free meal on board.

dearg lady

Trampas wrote: »

Air Asia are the ryanair of asia.

don't expect a free meal on board.

This is true, they provide nothing, but when it's cheap, I wouldn't really care. You can 'add on' a meal at time of booking. Cost me aroun 4-5 euro for two meals and two bottles of water.
No TV screens on Air Asia either!

Four of a kind

dearg lady wrote: »

This is true, they provide nothing, but when it's cheap, I wouldn't really care. You can 'add on' a meal at time of booking. Cost me aroun 4-5 euro for two meals and two bottles of water.
No TV screens on Air Asia either!

And what are the prices like? Very cheap compared to others or just a little bit cheaper?

For the sake of a few bob I'd rather have comfy seats and tv's/movies for a 12 hour flight!

dearg lady

Four of a kind wrote: »

And what are the prices like? Very cheap compared to others or just a little bit cheaper?

For the sake of a few bob I'd rather have comfy seats and tv's/movies for a 12 hour flight!

tbh it really depends, the prices vary wildly, given that I slept for around 9 of the 12 hours I didn't really mind lack of comfort!!