return flight cost

10 comments

1. *Edit: Lmfao, realized my answer wasn’t helpful.*

   Most contracts say “the most direct flight to the city you [i.e, your consulate] departed from.” They should pay for the quickest flight there.

   In 2018 my friend and I ran into a situation where, I found a cheaper flight to my actual home and asked to be put on it, but my friend just went with the consulate city because she wanted to site see. They gave us what we asked for, since her request followed the rules, and mine saved them 4x the price. So, they usually only bend the rules if it’s you asking to save them money, not so much just presenting it. You’ll have to talk to your BOE/JET Coordinator though. Reach out to them to let them know your preference and tell them you’ll look to see if there are other direct flight options that follow that “shortest, most direct flight” rule if you need to.

   Also, as far as add-ons, you’ll likely have to bear that, as they pay for the bare minimum flight home. Regardless of whether or not the baggage allowances have changed since you flew to Japan.

2. My contract with my BOE said “cheapest *direct* flight” so maybe look for that language?

3. They’re gonna pay for the cheapest flight. Also ask your BOE as each contract is different depending on your BOE.

4. [deleted]

5. My BOE booked my flight for me (I gave them my preferred departure dates and they chose from those) and it came to a little under 200,000 yen. It’s requires 1 layover but it’s not long and the airline is Cathay Pacific (instead of Air Canada, ugh), so I can’t complain too much.

   Although I haven’t inquired, I have a feeling anything not covered by the airline ticket (i.e. extra baggage) is covered by us. There’s nothing in my contract about paying anything extra on top of that plane ticket. I plan to ship some things home and, if needed, just pay for a 2nd piece of luggage to check in.

6. My BoE covered the whole thing with the fewest stops or most direct flight. I tried to save them money by flying out of Tokyo after traveling a bit but they were like “no most direct flight from here”

7. My boe told me to buy whatever flight I wanted as long as it was under ¥400,000. I had to front the money but they’ll reimburse me. I was able to book a flight with only one layover (in Tokyo, which is necessary since I’m flying out my small local airport) for like ¥220,000. My flight has 2 bags included, but I’m planning to check a 3rd which I assume I’ll have to pay for

8. Many contracting organizations will insist on purchasing the ticket for you. The details of what type of ticket and where it goes are whatever are spelled out in your terms and conditions.

   In the distant past many contracting organizations were willing to give people money, and let people buy their own ticket. Typically the amount of money was what the international airfare would cost. But then some people didn’t actually fly home, and this led to badness. Civil servants and taxpayers are much happier when money is spent on what it’s supposed to be spent on. As a result, relatively few organizations are going to give you cash now.

9. My contracting organization asks us to book our own flight to be reimbursed, but INSIST it must be done through a 3rd party travel agency so that they can have a proper receipt. Does anyone else have this issue? If not, what proof do you need to show them to be reimbursed?

10. Can you pretend you didn’t find that 4th option and pick another, perhaps more expensive one so they choose from the 3 you want that are more practical?

    If they wanted the least expensive flight possible, they would have (or should have) researched and booked the flight themselves.