Question regarding purchasing tickets for Parents

[Iak123]

Hi All,
Please can somebody tell me when purchasing airline tickets for my parents. Do I need to buy a open ticket valid for six months or do I have to buy a ticket with fixed dates. I am lost any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[la_guy]

You can buy a ticket, which has a hard return date after six months. After they come here, you can again reschedule earlier or later. I know cathay pacific allows to reschedule any number of times for free...

[crazyghoda]

If he buys a ticket with a return date AFTER 6 months from date of initial travel into the US, the officer at the POE (if he looks at the tickets) may not allow them into the country. Do not choose any date more than 6 months from initial date.

[whiteStallion]

Yes, the return ticket have to be *within* 6 months rather than after 6 months.

[priderock]

In talking to multiple travel agents, I don't think there is such a thing called "open ticket". I guess there is always a return date and most air lines will allow you to reschedule, some for free and some for a charge based on your ticket class.

The 6 months return validity suggestion above is valid, assuming they are on a visit visa (not have a GC themselves . when my parents came they only have the ticket for 4 months and the officer at POE gave them 6 months on the departure card.

[gc_on_demand]

I booked for my parents and deal was 700 USD for return from India to JFk + 1 free reschedule and second one for 30 USD ...

[VivekAhuja]

No need of open ticket or anything like that. Just make sure they have all their papers intact and do not over stay. Days of Open Tickets are gone as far as POE or Consulate is concerned.

[browncow]

Most airline allow one free date change. You might just need to pay processing fee (20-40 bucks) for the change.
But a confirmed return ticket is needed for passengers travelling on visitor visas.

[Iak123]

Thank You All for responding. That is very helpful

[chantu]

I am planning to book tickets for my parents travelling from India to US and returning back to India after 2 months. I have some questions:

1) Is it necessary to book tickets in India?

2) If not, Can I book tickets through orbitz or expedia in the US and send them the e-tickets?

Please reply with your experiences.

Thanks in advance!

[vikki76]

Originally Posted by chantu

I am planning to book tickets for my parents travelling from India to US and returning back to India after 2 months. I have some questions:

1) Is it necessary to book tickets in India?

2) If not, Can I book tickets through orbitz or expedia in the US and send them the e-tickets?

Please reply with your experiences.

Thanks in advance!

you can book from expedia/orbitz. We recently booked on American Airlines for parents.

[a_yaja]

Originally Posted by chantu

I am planning to book tickets for my parents travelling from India to US and returning back to India after 2 months. I have some questions:

1) Is it necessary to book tickets in India?

2) If not, Can I book tickets through orbitz or expedia in the US and send them the e-tickets?

Please reply with your experiences.

Thanks in advance!

I have booked tickets on orbitz.com for my parents and cheaptickets.com for my in-laws. Both were eTickets and there were no problems. I preferred to pay in USD over INR due to the fact that visa/ mastercard charge a 1% transaction fee for international currency and my bank would have screwed me on the exchange rate.

[chantu]

Thanks for the responses guys!

I can see cheaper tickets on orbitz than many travelling agents in my city in India. I will go ahead and book the tickets through orbitz. I will also look into the suggestion of Rajesh before booking from orbitz.

[rajeshalex]

Another thing. Since the ticket starts from India base fare will be in INR and when u buy online the credit card company converts $ into INR. Usually credit card company exchange rate is lower than the ones provided by HDFC and other banks.

Also check for foreign transaction charges imposed by credit card companies..

[narendra_modi]

Originally Posted by gc_on_demand

I booked for my parents and deal was 700 USD for return from India to JFk + 1 free reschedule and second one for 30 USD ...

Curious to know, how do people get such a nice deal ? If you don't mind, can you please share the secret, was this deal online ? Which site ? Usually when you get such a deal ? Thanks.