Korean Job Discussion Forums

globalnomad · Joined: 06 Apr 2005

Hi,

The title is not so specific.

What I really am trying to find out is if there is any difference between:

Buying a round trip ticket to Seoul From the U.S. OR having the school buy the ticket and send it to you.....I'm talking about the DIFFERENCE in Price between buying the ticket in the US vs S. Korea.

I'm Finding BIG differences.

So...Whats the cheapest round trip ticket from L.A. and/or NEW York to Seoul??

What do the schools usually pay for this ticket when they send it to you??

How much does the school reemburse on a round-trip-ticket???

AND....Best Airline/ticket price for a ONE WAY TICKET from the U.S. to SK

AND...has anyone flown out of South America to S. Korea.....if so, which airlines do you recommend and what kind of prices did you pay...One WaY and Return ??

Thx all for help.

Derrek · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

A couple things.

First, different schools do it different ways.

Some have you find the ticket, compare prices with what they can get, and may or may not reimburse you for that. My first director talked to the travel agent I got my ticket through and paid by credit card.

The huge difference you see in price often happens when you use online sites to buy tickets from one country to another when your LEAVING a country you aren't ordering from. If I use NWA's site to buy a ticket from Korea to the USA, in English, the price is about $600 HIGHER than if I'd used a site in Korean. This is the airlines way of fleecing people who don't know any better, and is a common practice. So yes, you'll get a better rate locally in Korea if you use a Korean agent or navigate a website in Korean. Switch it to an English site, however, and you'll pay through the nose.

About the contract:
Just be sure your contract doesn't say, "plane ticket to the nearest consulate outside of Korea" or they may be paying you for a much cheaper plane ticket to Japan instead. My school tried that one on me.

sheba · Joined: 16 May 2005 Location: Here there and everywhere!

Why dont you just find a job where the school prepays??? Ive heard a lot of stories about schools refusing to reimburse the ticket, or they will only reimburse it when youve finished the contract... I told my school I couldnt afford to front for the ticket so they paid!

the eye · Joined: 29 Jan 2004

yeah, the best way to avoid getting screwed on airfare is to have them buy it for you before you leave.
the second best way to avoid getting screwed, is to speak with current teachers at the school about such things.

and, of course it's cheaper to buy a ticket locally as opposed to overseas.

globalnomad · Joined: 06 Apr 2005

Hi,

WHAT I really need is a price. How much are you guys paying for a ONE WAY ticket from the USA to Seoul?

How Much for a round trip Ticket?

Please quote the cheapest prices you have and the airlines that offer them please...

I can't find anything less than $1500 for a ONE WAY

and around $2000 for a round trip

And I'm NOT looking on the internet

Kimchieluver · Joined: 02 Mar 2005

I would not take any position that doesn't mail you the ticket. It's a sign they are not financially stable or that other FTs have left because of poor conditions. If they do pay for it, don't let them deduct it from your first paycheck and make sure that is not in the contract

sheba · Joined: 16 May 2005 Location: Here there and everywhere!

what were trying to say is that we are not paying anything!

My employer booked and paid for a one-way ticket and dealt with my recruiting agent. The recruiting agent was dealing with a travel agent in my country. I just had to pick up a ticket from the travel agent. My departure date was changed twice and I didnt even have to revalidate my ticket... or do anything for that matter it was great.

Is there something we are missing? Like have you found a (seemingly) exceptional job but have to front the ticket?

I say go for a prepay!

Squid · Joined: 25 Jul 2003 Location: Sunny Anyang

Thesedays employers'll front around a mil. for the round-trip ticket if you buy it- rarely more. Their formula is bucket-seat and change of plane in nowheresville flying with Banana Freight airlines.

mindmetoo · Joined: 02 Feb 2004

Yu_Bum_suk · Joined: 25 Dec 2004

Don't ever pay airfare yourself. There are a lot of desperate employers out there who will pay yours for you.

sheba · Joined: 16 May 2005 Location: Here there and everywhere!

When the school paid for my ticket, it was direct to Seoul, but it was Korean Airlines and was absolutely packed! Not so great on a 12 hour flight....

Earlier in the year I paid for my own ticket (for vacation) and I flew with Japan Airlines - there was a stop over in Japan for one night (airline paid for a hotel and free breaksfast), and the plane wasnt very full so we could stretch out and sleep all the way!

Id still prefer a free ticket though!