Changing flights

Gongoozler

Hi all.
Myself and my boyfriend are just about to book return flights from Dublin to Melbourne, we're heading to Oz for up to a year and so we're not sure when exactly we'll be coming back or where we'll be coming from. So we reckon that you can make a change to the flight that you book, such as date and possibly the place you fly from. Just wondering can anybody confirm that? It's looking like we'd be flying Aer Lingus, Malaysia Airlines x 2, so is it possible to change the dates and departure airport(s)?

Also what is the fee like? I think there's probably a set fee for changes, but then do you possibly have a difference in fare to pay too?

If anyone can shed any light, I'd be grateful.

lc180

Gongoozler wrote: »

Hi all.
Myself and my boyfriend are just about to book return flights from Dublin to Melbourne, we're heading to Oz for up to a year and so we're not sure when exactly we'll be coming back or where we'll be coming from. So we reckon that you can make a change to the flight that you book, such as date and possibly the place you fly from. Just wondering can anybody confirm that? It's looking like we'd be flying Aer Lingus, Malaysia Airlines x 2, so is it possible to change the dates and departure airport(s)?

Also what is the fee like? I think there's probably a set fee for changes, but then do you possibly have a difference in fare to pay too?

If anyone can shed any light, I'd be grateful.

Depends what kind of fare you booked (non - refundable, flexible etc). It should say on your flight confirmation with a link to the terms of changing flights.

I've flown the same route a couple years ago. Pretty sure there was a fee to change flight times but not 100% sure so don't want to give you wrong info.

Gongoozler

Thanks, but do you get to see what kind of fare you have before you pay for it?

Bored_lad

Would you not just book two one way flights. One of the way out now and then another for the way back when you know where and when you want to leave from.

lc180

Gongoozler wrote: »

Thanks, but do you get to see what kind of fare you have before you pay for it?

Yes it will definitely say somewhere what kind of fare it is. I don't know what site you are booking through but the Malaysia airline site show 4 different fare types when you search flights.

Gongoozler

Thanks lc.

Bored_lad wrote: »

Would you not just book two one way flights. One of the way out now and then another for the way back when you know where and when you want to leave from.

No it works out an awful lot more expensive to do that.

Bored_lad

Gongoozler wrote: »

No it works out an awful lot more expensive to do that.

Well depending on your ticket type and airline it's going to cost you an awful lot in fees to change flights especially if you want to change the airport you're flying from.

Gongoozler

Bored_lad wrote: »

Well depending on your ticket type and airline it's going to cost you an awful lot in fees to change flights especially if you want to change the airport you're flying from.

It really doesn't look like it would. As it stands it would be 1600 for two singles, and 800 for a return. I can't imagine the fee for changing times would be that much.

BuffyBot

Most cheaper fares tend to be non-flexible, or limited changes for a fee.

Fares which allow flexibility in dates will be more expensive, and often those which allow you to change the there departure/arrival point are even more so.

And yes should you buy a cheaper fare, you would end up paying the difference in price if they changes you make result in a more expensive flight that you paid for.

Gongoozler

Problem is trying to find confirmation of this anywhere online, checked Malaysia Airlines and British airways. Not sure what to do now.

fits

Gongoozler wrote: »

Problem is trying to find confirmation of this anywhere online, checked Malaysia Airlines and British airways. Not sure what to do now.

Phone trailfinders and see if you can book a changeable ticket with them. Ask them about the fees.

BuffyBot

Indeed, find a good travel agent or telephone the airline's reservations departments. Agents have direct access to their reservations systems can often find fares and combinations a lot more complex than their websites offer.