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How
is the FlightPass different to a normal airline ticket?
A traditional airline ticket or a ticket bought online usually locks you in to a specific flight
and/or airline but the FlightPass does away with all that.
FlightPasses however allow you to
change not only your reservation dates for free, but also the routes and
even the airlines you use - all for free.
You can make confirmed reservations when you buy your FlightPass or you can
have an open ticket and make bookings as you go along - it's that
flexible. However given flights fill up quickly, we strongly
recommend you make reservations when you buy your FlightPasses and change
your reservations along the way if you want to since your plans may be
somewhat upset if you can’t travel on your preferred flight.
Unlike other airpasses in Europe, it doesn't matter which airline you fly
to/from Europe with, and there's also no minimum nor maximum purchase
requirement - buy as many or as few as you want.
What flights can I travel on with a FlightPass?
The actual number of flights available to travel on varies from about 350
in Winter to 450 in Summer when the airlines put on extra flights & routes
to meet seasonal demand. Only non-stop flights operated by the
airline themselves on nominated routes are valid - check the full list
below or use the map at the home page to help you plan your trip.
What if there's no FlightPass available for the route I want?
Even though the FlightPasses cover several hundred sectors, if the
flights you're looking for aren't shown we can help. For example,
there are no direct flights from Toulouse to Berlin but you can take a
FlightPass from Toulouse to Brussels and another from Brussels to Berlin.
Our Alliance Fares also offer discount fares on many other routes too -
click the tab at the top for details.
Can anybody buy FlightPasses?
Anyone who is a citizen or permanent resident of
countries outside Europe can buy FlightPasses. It doesn't matter
if you have a Aussie, Kiwi, Canadian etc passport, or if you have a
European passport such as British, Dutch, Greek etc provided you have a
stamp of permanent residency for Australia or New Zealand. Your
passport will be checked when you check-in, along with any necessary visas
you may need for your trip.
What are the FlightPass prices
for children and/or Seniors?
As these fares are already discounted, there aren't any further discounts
off the FlightPass prices. Everyone pays the same price - one
FlightPass for one person for one flight.
If you're travelling with children aged 2-15yrs, the airlines usually give
a discount off the "normal" fare. We compare that
price with the FlightPass and can sell you whichever is cheaper.
Similarly when you
buy an infant's discount off the normal fare, your baby doesn't get a seat
and usually only gets 10kgs checked baggage allowance. If you don't
think that's going to be enough, you can buy a FlightPass for your baby
instead which not only entitles them to a 20kg baggage allowance but also
gives them a seat.
If I need more FlightPasses, where can I buy them in Europe?
Sorry, but you can't buy them in Europe. These are special fares
for people living in Australia & New Zealand designed to promote travel
to & tourism in Europe. Tickets must be purchased prior
to leaving Australasia and taken with you. You can buy FlightPasses
directly from us or from a licensed travel agent, whichever is more
convenient for you.
What's the story with taxes?
Whilst the
FlightPasses are a set amount for any of the hundreds of flights, the applicable taxes/surcharges vary
from city to city, flight to flight so are not included in the FlightPass fare - they are paid at the airport prior to checking in.
This makes it easier for you if you change your mind and
decide to travel on a different route. Instead of having a traditional
ticket reissued for the sake of a few dollars in taxes, with the
FlightPass you can just turn up at the airport and pay the applicable
taxes for the flight you're about to get on.
The taxes & surcharges comprise charges such as government
taxes, security fees, airport levies, noise levies, baggage screening
charges, departure & arrival taxes, insurance & fuel surcharges
etc, and are the same amount no matter whether you're using the FlightPass or a traditional
airline ticket.
The amount of taxes & surcharges varies depending on the route, but taxes/surcharges for
the most popular flights booked on average are about AU$60.00-80.00 -
we'll advise the applicable details before you buy your FlightPasses.
Is there a charge for baggage?
The short answer is nothing! The standard baggage allowance for each
airline is included when you buy a FlightPass. That's the same
allowance as if you buy a traditional ticket, normally 20kgs. This is unlike some internet/discount carriers who charge not only for
each bag checked in but also charge you just to check-in! Don't
forget though that like any flight anywhere, if you're over the allowed
baggage weight, the airline may well charge excess baggage fees which can
really mount up. Check what you've packed, leaving some room for
souvenirs if necessary, but leave the bowling ball at home.
...and cabin baggage?
Just like flights in Australia & New Zealand, cabin baggage is restricted both in size and
content, particularly liquids
& gels. The
UK Dept for Transport
website and the
European Commission Transport website
have good guidelines as to the types of restrictions that
apply throughout most of Europe. Like
airlines everywhere, cabin baggage is limited for safety's sake and the comfort
of all passengers usually to 1 bag max 5kgs.
Anything
else I need to know?
FlightPasses
must be purchased at least 2 weeks prior to departure from Australia.
At peak times, some
airlines require payment to be made at the time of reservation or within a
certain number of days from booking, but we'll advise you if that applies to
your booking. Payment can be made by Visa or Mastercard, direct deposit to our account or to your travel agent.
Once purchased,
all tickets are non-refundable. Unused, lost,
stolen or destroyed coupons cannot be replaced or refunded so we recommend you have
travel insurance that covers unforseen circumstances.
Each
ticket is valid for a maximum of 120 days from the first flight, or 120 days
from the date of issue if you don't have any reservations.
At
the
Airport
You need to allow enough time to pay the taxes at the airline's
airport ticket sales counter prior to check-in, and you need to check-in
within the airline's prescribed check-in time. All in all, don't
leave it to the last minute only to find there are delays at security and
you get stressed out - do what seasoned travellers do and check-in early,
go through security, then have a coffee or see what souvenirs are
available in the shops.
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