How do you get an open ended return airfare ticket?

[Winston]

I have a question. If you are traveling somewhere, and you don't know your return date or onward date, how do you get an open ended return ticket? I don't see them offered online. So where do you get them? And how do they work?

The thing is, some countries require an onward ticket for you to enter in. But if you don't know your return date or onward date, what can you do? You would either have to buy a cheap onward ticket, or an open ended return ticket right?

Also, which countries require an onward ticket for visitors to enter in? Does anyone have a list of them? Is there a list online?

Thanks.

[xiongmao]

I bought a return from the UK as I presumed the airline wouldn't let me fly to China on a one way ticket. I'm flying back in July.

Flexible tickets are usually a lot more expensive than ones you can't change.

Surely you won't be able to stay in your mystery destination for a long time without a visa?

[momopi]

I have a question. If you are traveling somewhere, and you don't know your return date or onward date, how do you get an open ended return ticket? I don't see them offered online. So where do you get them? And how do they work?
The thing is, some countries require an onward ticket for you to enter in. But if you don't know your return date or onward date, what can you do? You would either have to buy a cheap onward ticket, or an open ended return ticket right?
Also, which countries require an onward ticket for visitors to enter in? Does anyone have a list of them? Is there a list online?
Thanks.

Call the airline and discuss it with them.

http://www.delta.com/content/www/en_US/ ... anges.html#

[celery2010]

The only country (other than very restricted places like say N Korea or something) that need return tickets is the Philippines. There, you can just buy the cheapest one way Air Asia ticket to Kota Kinabalu to get around that. Everywhere else i know of is fine.

Second tip. Buy ticket on Orbitz. They let you cancel in 24 hours with a $7 charge.

3rd tip. Get a credit card with free 50K frequent flyer miles.

[Jester]

The only country (other than very restricted places like say N Korea or something) that need return tickets is the Philippines. There, you can just buy the cheapest one way Air Asia ticket to Kota Kinabalu to get around that. Everywhere else i know of is fine.

Second tip. Buy ticket on Orbitz. They let you cancel in 24 hours with a $7 charge.

3rd tip. Get a credit card with free 50K frequent flyer miles.

Thanks for the Orbitz tip.

I think you're wrong on the onward ticket thing. A lot of countries require it, at least officially, if they require a visa. It may be that it is enforced only if you are coming from a poor country. I have heard of it being enforced in South America, but I don't recall where (sorry). I bet it would be universally enforced in desirable places like New Zealand.

[xiongmao]

Yeah, I don't know if China enforces it. But I know Australia/NZ/UK etc. etc. do because I used to watch those immigration cop shows.

[Winston]

Has anyone figured out yet how Rock gets those open-ended flexible return tickets from his travel agent? I don't see them offered online. How do you get them? Are they something special that only travel agencies have?

Can travel agencies ever beat airfare prices that you get online? If not, why are travel agencies still in business? Any of you ever compare prices?

[Rock]

Has anyone figured out yet how Rock gets those open-ended flexible return tickets from his travel agent? I don't see them offered online. How do you get them? Are they something special that only travel agencies have?

Can travel agencies ever beat airfare prices that you get online? If not, why are travel agencies still in business? Any of you ever compare prices?

Last time, I got mine through agent here in Taipei with China Eastern Airlines. Not only did it have a no charge changeable return date, but it also had 2 free nights accommodation in Shanghai (going and coming). I already gave you Lucy's phone number. The return ticket I got to Bay Area last time was about NT$28,000. Sometimes u get a better price with Philippine Airlines but not this time. I think ticket validity was 6 months. All the other airlines are a lot more expensive. I think EVA runs well over 40,000 NT$ for a direct flight to Bay Area.

[Jester]

Has anyone figured out yet how Rock gets those open-ended flexible return tickets from his travel agent? I don't see them offered online. How do you get them? Are they something special that only travel agencies have?

Can travel agencies ever beat airfare prices that you get online? If not, why are travel agencies still in business? Any of you ever compare prices?

Last time, I got mine through agent here in Taipei with China Eastern Airlines. Not only did it have a no charge changeable return date, but it also had 2 free nights accommodation in Shanghai (going and coming). I already gave you Lucy's phone number. The return ticket I got to Bay Area last time was about NT$28,000. Sometimes u get a better price with Philippine Airlines but not this time. I think ticket validity was 6 months. All the other airlines are a lot more expensive. I think EVA runs well over 40,000 NT$ for a direct flight to Bay Area.

Rock, if you would care to share your friend Lucy's number with me I would be grateful.

Also if anyone has a good English-speaking travel agent for travel within Mexico and Latin America, i am looking. I wouldn't mind paying a (small fee) on top of ticket price if that helps.

I can't stand the sites that ask you to state EXACTLY WHEN you are traveling. i want THEM to tell ME what month and what day of the week is best. (I am not a corporate lackey, so I can travel anytime).

[Winston]

Hi all,
My cousin told me last night that the only airlines she knows of that offers open return tickets in Asia are: Eva Airlines and China Airlines. She said that if you buy a plane ticket from either of those two airlines, no matter from which website or travel agent, that they will allow an open ended return date within 6 months. But those airlines mainly service flights to Asia though. And the open ended return ticket is usually only if you are coming from the US to Asia, but she isn't sure if it would be valid if you are going to the US from Asia.

Rock, did you know about this?