Roundtrip booking for a group with different return dates

zooter on 04/09/2013 - 14:39

Is there a way where I can book roundtrip tickets with different return dates? let me explain the situation. We (my wife and son) want to travel to our home country, but she wants to stay back for a few weeks and then come back. I offcourse don't have leave and have to come back within 1 week.

The only way I can think of doing this is:

Book a roundtrip ticket for 1 person — myself
Book a roundtrip ticket for wife and son

Is there any way I can book all 3 tickets together with different return dates? The reason I'm asking is with 2 separate bookings, I run the risk of not booking on the same plane. Also, there is a chance of seat allocation at different places in the plane and we would obviously like to sit together (minor issue — i'm sure we can speak to somebody and exchange seats). But the first problem is more major. I don't want to end up in a situation where I book my tickets only to find that the fares have gone up significantly or worse the flight is full

Any suggestions?

Travel

Comments

  • issh on 04/09/2013 - 17:18

    Is it possible to do this?

    Buy the one way TO destination in 1 transaction

    then

    Buy the return trip back for you, and then your wife and child on two separate transactions

    • zooter on 04/09/2013 - 20:51

      then all would be considered as one way trips….which means at-least $100 per ticket per leg extra

      • issh on 04/09/2013 - 22:23

        wow, never knew that

        Otherwise, another option would be to book in-person or call them up to arrange for it

  • itx on 04/09/2013 - 22:31

    This is where bricks and mortar travel agents come in handy, since they can hold reservations (they should be able to confirm the seat on the second reservation whilst the first is on hold). Before you visit a TA, it pays to have a print out of the price you can get online in case they quote something higher.

    There are also ways to minimise the risk of price increases when making separate bookings online, but it's still riskier.

  • tendliya on 04/09/2013 - 22:38

    In your browser, Open 2 tabs, search for your ticket in 1 and for your family in the other tab. You should have few minutes to finish the booking process on both the windows if you are happy with the fares and all the other bits and pieces. Obviously, this is helpful only if you planning to book both the tickets at the same time.

    If you are planning to book full fledged airlines (or whatever they call them these days) and not the budget carriers, ring up the airlines with both the booking numbers and they will note it down as family and you will be allocated seats together. I once booked on Qantas international for myself and the wife as 2 separate bookings and then called qantas to let them we are family. Our seats were allocated together.

    • tonester on 04/09/2013 - 22:41
      -2

      +1 :)

    • zooter on 05/09/2013 - 10:41

      thanks great advice…really helpful, will most likely boook with a "full" airlines, so yes will call and tell them about this.

  • cookie2 on 08/09/2013 - 22:47

    ok my advice.

    contact a travel agent that price beats or price matches (like flight centre)
    advise the agent you want to get a quote and hold in some flights and give them correct names dates etc, be honest with them, tell them you found some prices online but you want to buy them through an agent. they will probably ask you to email them proof of flight costs fr each person etc.
    once done they will quote you the same , or cheaper, fare and hold in flights for you.
    pay them for their hard work
    when they ticket the flights they will connect the bookings so that even though your on separate flights on some sectors, the airline will see that you are linked passengers. You will be seated together etc.

    But that's my recommendation. In regards to concerns about booking the wrong flight I cant help you with that but again if you're concerned, do the above and go to an agent. And make sure you thoroughly read through your itinerary and ticket conditions before you pay the agent as once you pay them they will ticket your flights.
    P.s- dont waste the agents time. Tell them upfront. they'll appreciate it, trust me.

  • OutOfComplaintForms on 11/09/2013 - 20:11
    +1

    Book direct with the airline. Then call and ask them to link PNR. Done.
    Don't need to bother with fee-heavy agents. Any frequent flyer will tell you the same.

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