Another airline question

[EricC 0]

When my fiancée's visa is approved I will be flying to pick her up for about a week and we will fly back together. What is the best way to do this while being cost effective? Should I buy a round trip ticket for me and a one way ticket for her using a website like expedia? Should I book a round trip for me and give her money to buy a one way ticket back? Would they be able to do that and save money? We need to have same flight back and we of course want to have seats next to each other. I don't know how to go about this when the time comes.

[Skeeter211 2]

You can buy both tickets yourself online or from a travel agent and get the same flights together. To do it online, just open two web browsers and go to the site of your choice. Keep in mind not all online travel sites will sell tickets originating outside the USA. I believe Expedia does though and I know you mentioned that site. Once you have two browsers open. Search for your ticket in one browser and select your flights. Go to the point of just before clicking the purchase button. Then search and find the same return flight for your fiance in the other web browser and purchase the that flight. Then go back and click the purchase button on the flight for you. That way your flight seat is held while you book her flight. The only other thing you will need to confirm is that the travel site will allow you to purchase a ticket for someone else with your credit card. Some will and some won't.

Seats are not a big issue. Once you are both confirmed with tickets on the flight, call the airline and most will move your seats together for you with just a phone call. If by chance you get an airline that will not do that (don't know of any that will not) then you can just arrive early to the flight check-in counter and request your seats be moved together. As long as you are one of the first few people in line at the check-in counter, it should not be a problem. Get there late and it could be more difficult.

As far as cheaper....I can only speak from my own experience. If you can afford to send the cash to her to buy her ticket there in the Philippines, I have found it will save money. I saved about $150 when I sent the money to my lady to buy her ticket there in the Philippines at the local travel agent. I know others have posted about similar savings. What I would do in that case is have her ask the agent how full the flight is before she buys the ticket. Then if there are lots of open seats, she can call or text you directly after her ticket is purchased so you can go online and buy the same exact flight through expedia, orbitz, travelocity or wherever. There are lots of good online ticket agents. That should prevent her from getting on a flight that is full when you go to buy your ticket. Again, you can call the airlines and ask your seats to be moved together.

The sooner you can do it, the better as the closer it gets to the time you will fly, the less flexibility you will have because seats will fill up.

These are just my opinions, but hope it helps. Good luck!

Scott

[john & jean 37]

I agree with all and also think you need to check out Cathat Pacific.com. I have flown with them, never had a problem. Good Luck... John&Jean

[wahenie19 0]

You could book them both through philippine airlines website, buy 2 roundtrip tickets and on your fiancee ticket ask for a refund when shes here already. they'll give you a refund of the unused part and most likely you end up saving a lot of money.

[dasmith 0]

so here's what i did:

booked on nwa.com, even chose seats together