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From Times Online

August 6, 2007

Can I book a flight a year ahead?

Marion Kozlen's daughter is spending a year studying in Beijing and cannot book her return flights without paying a penalty

My daughter will spend next year in China, on the second year of her degree, and will be studying at Beijing University. I know when she needs to leave and I know when she will want to return. However, none of the major airlines will allow me to book more than 12 months ahead of the date I make the reservation, so that means I have to book the return date a month too soon, knowing that she will have to pay the penalty for making the change. Surely she’s not the first student to need to make a booking more than 12 months ahead of the date of making the booking? Marion Kozlen, by email

A spokeswoman for Trailfinders responds: I've investigated this query and it really does depend on the airline as they all appear to have different rules, but some are a little more flexible than others. I'm pretty sure that Trailfinders has negotiated with airlines in the past to offer our client's greater flexibility, so it's just a question of whether the same conditions will apply if the client contacts the airline direct.

As far as I can see, subject to the time of year that your daughter wants to travel, her best bet would be to fly with Emirates Airlines via Dubai. We would have to book the latest date possible in the system for her return flight, but we have an agreement with Emirates and if we advise them of the situation they will put a note in the booking confirming that the client's preferred dates are out of system range. We would then make a note of the date the client actually wants to return and would rebook as and when we could. As this would be a pre-arranged date change there would be no charge made by the airline.

For your information we currently have fares departing the UK with Emirates from 1 January to 15 July 2008 from £395 including all pre-paid taxes and charges. This has a minimum stay of three days and a maximum stay of one year. There is a charge of £75 to change the inbound date but we would be able to sort one 'FOC' change as above. Our reservations number is 0845 058 5858.

Just rang BA and they gave the reasoning behind the 12 month cut off - it's to avoid confusion over dates (To mistakenly but tickets for Jan â€˜09 instead of â€™08, for example). Not great for those of us wanting to plan ahead, but I can see their point.

Also, British Airways â€œreleaseâ€ a new day of flights each day, slightly staggered â€“ today, the 8th of January â€˜08, they released the 28th of December â€™08.

They suggested I check back later in the month.

D. Davies, London, London