A question for anyone already out on a Bunac visa or going this year on a Bunac visa, or anyone in travel industry...

What did you/are you doing about the pre-booked return flight requirement? Did you book the special Bunac flights? We will do this as a last resort but they are v restrictive on dates, and there seem to be better offers and baggage allowances out there. The thing is most of the airlines don't seem to release the flights for the return journeys until too late ie we want to go out mid April but they currently only have Jan/Feb 08 flights published.

Grateful for any advice or options on how to get round this.

Skibunny x

We bought return tickets for the last available date (in our case October 2007 ?!?).

We made sure they were transferable. That way for a small fee (plus any difference in ticket price) we can change the return date when later dates become available.

Worked out it should still be cheaper than the BUNAC flights.

Hi there, we are going out to toronto on 30 may on a bunac visa and booked return flights with globespan. Although the date of return is in october, we
will likely book a return flight for 2008 when in Canada.


The total cost for both our flights was just over £500. We booked premium economy tickets with globespan which gives us a 30kg luggage allowance, and also the usual upgraded meal, complimentary headset, and complimentary drinks. This route was also cheaper than economy. For an extra £10 we can book another 15kg each of luggage. On arrival at the airport, globespan have a shuttle bus which will take you into toronto for £5.
Seemed like the best deal for us.

Hope this helps

Also, we are looking at different insurance packages than the ones offered by bunac which seem very steep.

Anyone else looking at alternative insurance packages?



Tracey and Mark.

They do seem much more expensive but as I am travelling by myself I think it is best that I go on the Bunac option in order to meet people on the way. Is anyone else doing this or are they going to do it all by themselves?
I had thought of getting a chaper ticket and then just arranging to go to the same hostel but i'm not sure.

Hi, everyones different, but I guess you will meet all the people travelling with bunac at the bunac induction, that way youd save on flights, but could still make friends.
Good luck whatever you decide to do!

Tracey and Mark

Swapping flights when we're there does seem like the only other way - stupid isn't it - you'd think they would have a limited 'returns' schedule for 12 months even if you didn't get the full choice.

With regards insurance, Escapea mentioned Flexicover on another Post and if you check out there Gap Year policy then it does work out a lot cheaper, particularly for couples. It seems about the same level of cover reading through the policy overviews, however it's no good if you want winter sports cover as adding that in makes it more pricey than the Bunac insurance.

Hi, I have not done much looking into the insurance options, but one I am looking at is
www.gapyeartravel.com or ACE traveller insurance. I think it works out about £200 per year each. We thought of applying for cover for skiing and snow boarding when we are out there if we dont find a more comprehensive policy.
Anyway, Ill check out your suggestions-many thanks! and keep you posted if we can find another alternative
Cheers
Tracey and Mark

Hi,

As ski bunny mentioned, we are using the Flexicover gap year/trekker insurance policy, rather than Bunac's own - it seemed more compprehensive in some areas and a lot cheaper. (Buanc were happy to accept this, I just had to send a copy of the flexicover policy, which I highlighted in the appropriate areas to show how it met Bunac's requirements):

http://www.flexicover.com/summaryofcover.jsp

Also, this policy does include coverage for 21 days of skiing in the standard price (i.e. without the winter sports extension). We figured this would be enough for us during the year. Also, it is a total of 21 days - it does not need to be 21 concurrent days.

This policy also covers couples, so you don't need to take out a policy each - this works out even cheaper.

Regarding the flights we just booked the latest flight date that we could, and figured that we would just extend it when the time came. As it now happens we are hoping to stay (just received PNP and PR application is in), so the return flights are a bit superfluous.

Also may be useful to know that you only need to prove you have return flight when you initially enter Canada and have to get your visa - once your have your work permit you will not be asked for the supporting documentation if you leave and then re-enter Canada. (I did this a couple of weeks ago, and Immigration don't need to see any of the supporting docs, or proof of flight etc.).

Therefore, an alternative approach would be to book the cheapest return flight you could (with no intention of using it), just to secure your work permit when you first land, and then just book a new flight when you actually need it.

Thanks for that - you've been very helpful! In fact I think it might have been you that first told me about the Bunacs this time last year when I joined this site.

The 21 days ski cover is not enough for us, but your point on the flight is very true so I will have a shop around with that in mind.

http://insurance.essentialtravel.co.uk/

in regards to insurance..has anyone tried here? as they seem to give
quite a good quote which inculdes 31 days of winter sports.