I would like to fly into Venice and later fly home from Rome. Any tips on what carriers are best (easiest) to book open ended flights to/from Italy? (cheaper would be a good attribute as well )
Thanks!

You can do open-jaw tickets on basically all airlines.

Rome is served by many US airlines, but Venice (VCE) only Delta and USAirways. Or you'll need to connect via a European airport to get to VCE.

By open-ended do you mean an open jaw? Flying into one city and out of another? Most all carriers should be comparable in that respect.
If by open-ended you are trying to have an open return date from Rome, that will most likely cost you significantly more.

Open jaw is into one city and out of the other - but issues as a single ticket at one time. This will not cost any extra - it's 1/2 of the RT cost for each city. As noted from the US your only choices for non-stops are Delta and USAir. You can also do it with other airline by connecting (I've found connections to Venice are best through Frankfurt - much easier/more reliable then Heathrow or CDG.)

If by open ended you mean 2 one-way tickets - to be used whenever you want - that's a whole different class of service and the cost will be enormous.

Can you make an open-jaw ticket into an open-end ticket simply by paying the change fee charged by an airlines? You decide to return on Sept 30 instead of Sept 15, but still from Rome - you just pay the change fee?

KC

Hi Trav,

Look for open-jaw fares at www.kayak.com. Click multicity.

Hi Knox,

Changing travel dates is not always permitted, even for a fee. It depends on the class of ticket you buy.

In high season, it is not always possible, even if it is permitted.

You can change flights for a fee on Alitalia.

I have had luck changing a return from Italy for $150.00. I have not had luck at other times due to the fact no seats were available. So you cannot depend on it.

travgirls, I don't know where you are flying from. But it does sound like what you want is what is called an "open jaw" or "multicity" ticket, IF you mean you know the dates you want to arrive and depart BUT you want to arrive at Venice and depart from Rome. Best wishes.