Is there any way around this problem:<BR>As I understand it, if you book a round trip ticket to Europe (S.F. or LAX to Amsterdam and back) and stay more than 30 days your round trip ticket almost doubles in price. What can be done to circumvent this problem? Thanks to anyone who can help me.

The company www.counciltravel.com has a number of fares that are more flexible with the return. Not all of their fares are just for students and educators.<BR><BR>Best wishes,<BR><BR>Rex<BR>

Whwn do you want to go? If you post the dates, I could possibly help you. You might consider London or Paris, as that gives you more airlines to choose from, thus more competition. From there you could catch a cheap flight or a train.

up<BR>

I really think most advertised specials carry the 30 day limit.<BR>We always travel to Europe for more than 30 days using open jaw tickets. Trip this year was $714 RT. If you plan ahead and use Orbitz, or the like, you might be surprised.<BR>

In response to the answer to my question on www.fodors.com:<BR><BR>Thank you for responding to my dilemma. I'm planning on leaving September 3rd and returning October 17th. What do you suggest?

I'd suggest contacting<BR><BR>Sophisticated Traveler, Inc.<BR>Westgate Shopping Mall<BR>1600 Saratoga Ave., Ste 609<BR>San Jose, CA 95129 <BR>9:00 AM - 5:30 PM, Mon-Fri <BR>Tel. 408-871-3290 or <BR>800-497-9929<BR>Fax. 408-871-8426<BR>E-mail: [email protected]<BR><BR>I have not used this company, but I did have a telephone conversation with the owner last year, and he made a very favorable impression on me.<BR><BR>I am not sure what the fare will be, but I think it will be somewhere between $600 and $900 (from Los Angeles - - I don't know if they have fares from SFO). The cheapest fare listed on orbitz.com for LAX-AMS for these dates (as you probably already know) is $1294, as of today.<BR><BR>They don't state the name of the airline, but they say it connects through Zurich. Presumably the new re-organized airline SWISS.<BR><BR>Best wishes,<BR><BR>Rex<BR>

You probably only have hours to grab this, but here it is:<BR>Try - www.hotwire.com<BR>It came back with $691.00, departing LA on 9/3/02 arriving CDG(Paris)10/17/02. Train will cost you around $80 RT to Amsterdam.<BR>Good luck!

arriving CDG on 9/4 with a return on 10/17. Sorry

topping<BR>

Got another, maybe even better deal.Go to:<BR>Globaltravelsolutions.com<BR>From LAX or SFO to AMS Sep.3-Oct.17<BR>They quoted around $745+tax, but it's direct to Amsterdam. If you call them and maybe if you play with the dates a bit, who knows it could be cheaper.

Just an update on hotwire.com.<BR>They also have a direct flight to Amsterdam from LAX for 694.00.<BR>Good luck!

If you think you can count on US Air to keep flying, flights.com shows $448 + tax and fees.

Good call JP. USAir will be around for at least 6 months if not for a long time. PK, if I were you I would book that now.

we're having the same problem with a flight to rome at the end of this month. i am staying until the end of december, so the 30+ days applies to me. I would actually make contact with a travel agent and ask about Consolidator fares. These are warehouse deals that make it easier to travel for a longer period of time. I should hear back from my travel agent today about the price of a ticket --hopefully it's less than $1800 (which is what I've been finding). Only thing is, sometimes consolidator fares do not allow you to pick up any airline miles.<BR><BR>good luck!<BR>Jackie<BR>http://www.thelongtriphome.com

This post completely baffles me. We travel to France every summer and almost always stay more than 30 days. I've never paid more than the same price I would pay to stay less than 30 days. What is this all about?