How to book an 11 month return trip?

I'm planning to move from the UK to Australia in mid-Jan 05. Because
air fares are cheaper in the UK and I want to come back to visit
family regularly, I thought I'd book a return ticket with a date in
Dec 05.

I have some questions I hope someone can help clear up:

1. I can't book the return trip on the likes of Expedia (online or by
phone) because it's too far in the future and, apparently, the airline
schedules aren't published. Is my only option therefore to pick a
random return date and then change it after departure? If so, I
clearly need to check the costs in making such changes because I note,
for example, that the "Expedia Special Fare" deals prohibit any
changes.

2. My initial choice of return date will obviously affect
availability. Will the return date also affect price?

3. If I pick an initial return date of say Feb 05 and change it later
to Dec 05 (from low to high season) will I be charged extra, or is it
the outward leg that determines the price?

"Thomas" <ted_maul_is_god.uk> wrote in message news:<2oe6q4F9r06jU1@uni-berlin.de>...
> > I'm planning to move from the UK to Australia in mid-Jan 05. Because
> > air fares are cheaper in the UK and I want to come back to visit
> > family regularly, I thought I'd book a return ticket with a date in
> > Dec 05.
> >
> > I have some questions I hope someone can help clear up:
> >
> > 1. I can't book the return trip on the likes of Expedia (online or by
> > phone) because it's too far in the future and, apparently, the airline
> > schedules aren't published. Is my only option therefore to pick a
> > random return date and then change it after departure? If so, I
> > clearly need to check the costs in making such changes because I note,
> > for example, that the "Expedia Special Fare" deals prohibit any
> > changes.
> >
> > 2. My initial choice of return date will obviously affect
> > availability. Will the return date also affect price?
> >
> > 3. If I pick an initial return date of say Feb 05 and change it later
> > to Dec 05 (from low to high season) will I be charged extra, or is it
> > the outward leg that determines the price?
>
> The cheaper tickets usually have a max validity of 1 or 3 months. You may be
> better off in this case visiting a good TA and seeing what they can do for
> you.

Be ultra-careful when booking online if you think you might have to
change a flight. I booked on Travelocity on a flight to Vienna and
there was a disclaimer that said that you might have to pay extra
charges if you change your flight. In truth, the type of flight I was
purchasing did not allow any changes whatsoever. It was "use it or
lose it."

Moral of the story is to read all the fine print & call up the airline
before you press the "book it" button.