Open Flight Tickets
Flexible travel made easier
Flexible travel made easier
Want to book now and decide your return date later? That used to be easy.
Open flight tickets gave you total freedom - fly out on a set date, and come back when it suited you.
Airlines don’t really offer them anymore. But that doesn’t mean your flexibility has to vanish too.
At Alternative Airlines, we help you build the same freedom with smarter, modern tools - from one-way tickets to Cancellation Protection.
What is an open flight ticket?
An open flight ticket meant ultimate flexibility. You booked your outbound flight with a fixed date, but left your return open-ended - no set date, no change fees, no stress.
Say you booked London to Sydney, departing 15th March. Your ticket would show:
- Outbound: London to Sydney, 15th March, 10:30am (fixed)
- Return: Sydney to London, OPEN (to be booked later)
You'd fly to Sydney as planned, then book your return flight whenever you were ready - maybe two weeks later, maybe six months. As long as you booked within the 12-month validity period, no extra fees applied.
They were great for:
- Business travellers who didn’t know when meetings would end
- Backpackers and adventurers without rigid plans
- Anyone who wanted to travel on their own terms
The return leg stayed valid for up to 12 months. You could book it when ready, not when required.
Do open flight tickets still exist?
Not really. Airlines have quietly phased them out. Why?
- Open tickets made it harder for airlines to plan capacity
- Budget airlines introduced stricter fare rules to keep prices low
- Flexibility became a premium feature, not a standard one
Now, what’s often called "flexible" means: you can change your dates, but it might cost you.
The good news? There are still ways to travel flexibly, without paying sky-high prices 👇🏻
Modern alternatives to open flight tickets
Book one-way flights ✨
Buy your outbound flight now. Book your return when you’re ready. It might cost slightly more than a return ticket, but you keep full control.
Choose fully flexible fares 🎫
Flexible fares let you change or cancel without fees (though fare differences may apply). Think of it as the modern version of an open ticket.
Use points or miles 🎁
Loyalty programs often have better flexibility than cash fares. Use your rewards for free or low-cost date changes.
Fly business or first class 🛋️
Premium fares often come with built-in flexibility. Free changes, easier refunds, priority service if plans shift.
Add Cancellation Protection 🛡️
We offer this on every booking. Cancel your flight for emergency reasons and claim a refund, no matter the airline's policy. Find out more about Cancellation Protection.
How to obtain or convert to an open ticket
Let’s be clear: genuine open ticket conversion is extremely rare these days. Most airlines have stopped offering this option entirely. But for the few that still do, here’s how it works.
Which airlines still offer open tickets? 🤔
Very few airlines allow you to convert standard tickets to open tickets. The main exception is Pegasus Airlines, which lets passengers convert existing bookings through their "Manage My Booking" system or customer service line.
Other airlines might offer conversion in special circumstances, usually for business accounts or premium passengers. But don’t count on it.
How to book flexible travel with Alternative Airlines
Use flexible search filters 🔎
Find fares that match your flexibility needs. Look for "refundable" or "flexible" when comparing options.
Add Cancellation Protection 🛡️
For extra peace of mind, add Cancellation Protection during checkout. It covers you if plans change for any emergency reasons.
Compare fare types 🤔
Basic economy might save money, but standard or flexible fares give you more breathing room.
Book early 📆
The best flexible fares are limited. Booking ahead gives you more options (and better prices).
Things to watch with flexible tickets
Even the most flexible fares come with a few ground rules. Here’s what to check:
- Ticket validity: Most are valid for 12 months, though premium fares may last longer.
- Destination rules: You can usually move the date, not the place.
- Blackout dates: Peak periods like Christmas or summer might be excluded.
- Notice needed: Some fares require at least 24-48 hours’ notice for changes.
- Price changes: You won’t pay a fee to change, but you’ll cover any fare difference.
Before you confirm, double-check these:
- Fare rules: Always read the terms - they tell you what’s actually flexible.
- Total cost: Factor in potential fare differences, not just the upfront price.
- Airline attitude: Some airlines make changes easy. Others, not so much.
- Insurance cover: Your card or travel policy might already offer some flexibility.
- Our help: We’re here if plans shift. Call us - no bots, just real support.
Flexible payment options = even more freedom
We make flexible travel even easier with over 40 ways to pay:
- Pay later - Use Klarna, Afterpay, Affirm and more to split the cost. Get premium flexibility without paying upfront. Find out more about our Buy Now Pay Later options.
- Layaway-style booking - Secure your fare with a small deposit. Pay the rest over time. Discover layaway travel today.
- No card? No problem - We work with local payment partners like Tamara, Twisto and Grab so you can book your way.
- Crypto welcome - Pay with Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies if that works for you.
- Traditional payments - Debit or credit cards are always welcome, and some come with added travel protections.
Trusted globally
Rated Excellent on Trustpilot
We’re super proud of our Trustpilot rating, but don’t just take it from us. See why millions of others love booking their flights through Alternative Airlines
FAQs
What is an open flight ticket?
Open flight tickets are a type of fare that allows you to purchase a ticket without an expected date for your return flight. They were a popular type of airfare that airlines no longer provide.
How to book an open-ended flight ticket?
Booking open-ended flights is now a relatively unheard of task, and instead there are just ways to achieve a similar concept. Open-ended flight tickets can be booked by purchasing tickets with a flexible cancellation policy, giving you that reassurance you're able to cancel, should you not want your return flight.
At Alternative Airlines, you're able to add Cancellation Protection cover to your flight booking.
Why have open-ended tickets become so rare?
Airlines found them too complex and unprofitable to manage. Modern booking systems need to predict demand accurately, and open tickets made this impossible. Airlines make more money from change fees and fare restrictions than they ever did from expensive open tickets.
What airlines offer open-ended tickets?
Airlines no longer offer open-ended tickets, however, with Alternative Airlines you can choose to add Cancellation Protection to your booking which gives you greater flexibility with your flight. We ticket over 650 airlines for you to choose from, all of which Cancellation Protection is valid for.
How long do flexible tickets stay valid?
Most flexible tickets are valid for 12 months from purchase. Premium fares might extend this to 18 months. Always check your specific ticket's validity period - it's usually in your booking confirmation email.
Can I transfer flexible tickets to someone else?
Usually not. Most airline tickets, including flexible ones, are non-transferable. The name on the ticket must match the passenger's ID. However, some airlines allow name changes for a fee.
Your path to flexible travel freedom
Open tickets may be gone, but flexible travel is alive and well. With smart booking and the right tools, you can still travel on your own terms.
At Alternative Airlines, we’re here to make that easy. From flexible fares to pay-later options, we’ll help you build the freedom to fly your way.
Ready to book with confidence? 💜
Search 600+ airlines, filter by flexibility and pay however suits you best. Because travel should work around you, not the other way around.