Suggestions please for booking return flight 1yr+ out – gap year thing!

[dmm27]

A friends daughter is planning to go to New Zealand for a year from ~Feb 2025. She has managed to get a work visa (not entirely sure if it is any particular type) and may end up staying longer than a year.

Any ideas what the best option is regarding booking flights in order to retain some semblance of flexibility without huge expense?

Booking a single outbound now, and then single fare to return gives maximum flexibility, but singles are usually way more expensive than returns. She may also need to provide proof of adequate savings etc in order to enter without a return flight booked.

Alternatively she can book a return fare now with the inbound booked for ~October, and then amend the return date. However this then is subject to rebooking fees, and also potentially unknown additional cost if the fare subsequently changes.

Are there any airlines that traditionally have lower rebooking fees?
Are there any RTW type fares that allow flexibility over the return leg?
Or is this where she is better off booking via eg Trailfinders

TIA for any advice.

[BA Flyer IHG Stayer]

A conversation with the likes of trailfinders might well be beneficial.

They’ll know all the special fares that are available.

Before she does that she needs to be 100% sure of what sort of visa she has and if it’s even extendable once she’s there. Trailfinders would find that info useful.

She doesn’t want be breaking NZ law for example.