Changeable Flight Tickets Down Under

[numtumfutunch]

G'day

Boy has just confirmed a gap year which he wants to do in Australia. My brother lives in Perth and so this seems an obvious place to enter/exit

The issue we have is how to book flights in order to get best value. In addition it is probable that Aussie border patrol want to see a return ticket before granting entry and Expedia/Skyscanner wont let him book returns any later than Jan 2025 but hed like to stay longer with the usual 12 month tourist visa

His flight out should be predictable after college finishes in July, unfortunately thats a peak month but he/us can suck it up

His return is uncertain and depends on a huge number of variables.

So how best to proceed?

Expedia/Skyscanner arent up to it but individual airlines websites seem to say we can book returns a year in advance and change if necessary. If he comes back next July and its indeed peak season again is this realistic or will they make life difficult if we book a theoretical return in off peak May/June?

And which airlines are best with this kind of open ended and changeable ticket? Its most likely he'll change in the Gulf for reasons of geography.....

Cheers

[Griffith4ever]

In my experience with changeable tickets, when you move the return to a new date you either pay the difference or pay nothing depending on if that days fare is more or the same/less.