Hi everyone,

I'm planning to spend (at least) a year in Vancouver starting from September. Whilst I don't have a definite return date (although I will return at some point before a year, if just for a visit), I've found that booking return plane tickets is so much cheaper than getting a single and waiting to sort out another single to come back.

My plan so far is to book a return ticket leaving London on the 29th August and returning on the latest date possible, i.e. beginning of July 2012. Then I will just change the date of the return flight to suit me, nearer the time.

My main question is this: I know that Air Canada and British Airways' fee for changing flights is £100, but I'm unsure about how the fare difference is calculated. Single tickets are around £900, with return tickets being around £800 (£400 each way). If I can find another return flight for around £400 to switch to next year, will I just pay the £100 fee extra, or will the SINGLE price be considered for the fare difference, meaning I have to pay something like £600 extra? (the amount extra for a single fare plus the £100)

Also, is it correct that the return flight has to be within a year of the departure flight?

And is there anything else I should be thinking about?

Thanks in advance Apologies if this has been asked elsewhere - I just can't get to the bottom of this!

Hi Mark,

I have done this many times with Air Canada.

If you book your return flight as far in the future as possible (or within a month so you get a good price), after you have a confirmation number call Air Canada and explain that you wanted to book a return ticket for a year, but the website wouldn't let you. They should offer to put a note on your booking reference that will allow you to change your return flight once without paying the change fee. I have also never had to pay any extra due to fare difference, when you call to rebook the agent will help you choose a flight that seats are available without you having to pay the fare difference.

Also, they say you can't use your return flight if it has been over a year, however, I have also paid an extra fee to let me extend the "Validility" of that return flight. So you may want to ask about that as well when you are talking to the Air Canada rep.

Good luck!

Your ticket will be booked in a particular booking/fare class, e.g. L,V,H etc. If there is a seat available in that class then you will only pay the change fee. If you have to be rebooked in a higher booking class then you will also pay the fare difference (as though you had booked that class originally for that flight). It will not be based on the price of a one way ticket. Bearing in mind that you can also connect in various places to get from Vancouver to the UK, and assuming you have some flexibility, you will most likely be able to find a seat in the appropriate fare class.