How I Booked My Return Flight To The Netherlands

The next post on this travel series, is a step-by-step breakdown of how I booked my return flight to the Netherlands, now that my visa has been approved. From discovering that a round trip is a return ticket & discovering what a stopover was, this was one of the easiest steps on my travel journey, but the most impactful. This is how I went about it.

STEP ONE: Confirmation of Travel Dates

Depending on when your visa becomes valid, your flight dates have to be booked within those dates. For example, the Schengen Visa I applied for was valid for 90 days. Therefore, my flight had to be within those days, not before or after.

STEP TWO: Visiting The Kenya Airways Website

I proceeded to compare flight prices among different airlines and settled on Kenya Airways.

It is recommended to book the flight via the official website or visit their offices. Using a third-party is often risky and more expensive, so I'd recommend doing it yourself via the official website.

STEP THREE: Comparing Flight Options

After visiting the official website, I selected a round trip to book a return ticket. I selected JKIA Airport in Nairobi as 'where from', and Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam as 'where to'. After selecting 'Search Flights', a list of available flights to and from your destination will appear. I then specified the dates that I'd be going and when I'd be coming back. I then selected a direct flight, one that has no stopovers at any airport. The flight time from Nairobi to Amsterdam is about 9 hours.

Flights with stopovers are those that stop at an airport in another country, and then you change planes to reach your final destination. Some flights have mandatory stopovers, but I would recommend direct flights if you're a first-time flyer.

Kenya Airways and KLM offer direct flights to Amsterdam. Other airlines such as Emirates, Qatar Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, and EgyptAir offer flights with stopovers to destinations like Dubai & Doha.

STEP FOUR: Selecting My Fare and Payment

When selecting flights, you may choose the class you'd like to be in. There are Economy, Business, and First Class. Economy is the most affordable, and First Class is the most expensive. Despite going to the same destination, the flight experience is very different depending on the class you select.

Now, after selecting your flight, you will be directed to the passenger details page, where you will fill in your details, as per your passport. This step is crucial as you may be denied boarding if there is a disparity between your passenger details and passport details.

You also have the opportunity to select extra services like selecting the seat you'd like (if you're flying for the first time, choose a window seat!), special meals, and allowance for extra baggage. Note that all these come at an extra cost 😉.

STEP FIVE: Confirmation and E-Ticket

Finally, you'll be directed to the payment checkout page, where you will pay for the flight. You have the option of paying via credit/debit card or PayPal. If you're booking via Kenya Airways, you can even pay via M-PESA.

After the payment goes through, the e-ticket will be sent to your email, which you can print and keep with you until flight day.

Also, any changes that your flight encounters, like delays or cancellations, will be communicated to you timely.

EXTRA And IMPORTANT Tips;

• Book your flight as early as possible for the best deals - The earlier you book your ticket, the more affordable it will be, especially if you book it during the off-peak season. My trip was set for July, and I had already booked my ticket since April, and even then, that was late.😅 However, it is wise to book your flight after visa approval.

• Sign up for loyalty programs to receive discounts and exclusive deals - Kenya Airways, particularly, has 'Asante Rewards' as its loyalty program. When you sign up, every booking accumulates miles, which you can use to book future flights, instead of using money, or receive a discount when you book a flight. Other airlines also have their loyalty programs with various benefits, so ensure you check them out.

• Ensure you input your personal details when booking the flight, as per your passport, to the letter - This is REALLY IMPORTANT. When filling in your passenger details, ensure you fill in your name and details exactly as they are on your passport. If there's a mismatch, you could be denied boarding your flight, and we do not want that!