Moving back to States, one-way flight

Bookworm · #1 04.02.2012, 13:40

We might be moving back to the States and I was looking at flight prices. One way costs more than 4 tickets round trip for the 4 of us!

So, do we buy the round trip and throw the other half away? Any problems with this?

biff · #2 04.02.2012, 13:47

No problem with that at all. I have done this several times on various routes, either because it was cheaper, or because my plans changes.

Dantesheaven · #3 04.02.2012, 13:59

	Quote:	biff
	No problem with that at all. I have done this several times on various routes, either because it was cheaper, or because my plans changes.

Exactly, buy the round trip, maybe even make the "return" many months later just in case you want to come for a visit, and then don't use the returns.

The airlines do look for agencies that regularly book "false" return flights to take advantage of cheaper prices, but there is no law or rule against not using a return ticket.

Good luck

ceppych · #4 04.02.2012, 14:12

Not really relevant in this case, but maybe to help someone.
I recently discovered, to my cost, that if you don't use the out-going part of a return ticket, some economy tickets will not then allow you use the return half.
The outgoing as well as the return becomes a 'no-show'.
This was certainly my experience with Swiss.

adrianlondon · #5 04.02.2012, 14:17

That's common. I'd guess that all/most tickets are like that. You can discard the return part but not the outbound one.

annafelix · #6 04.02.2012, 14:22

Sorry it's a bit off topic but I felt like sharing my experience with you.

The same thing happened to me and also with the same airline( Swiss). I was really annoyed as I had to buy a new ticket from the airport( $.$$$)... and I had my cat travelling with me too. It was a living nightmare but I've learnt my lesson. But honestly now, why they don't let you know about cancelling your flight? Why are they always asking you for lots of personal details( mobile no, home line no, address, emails....) if they don't bother to inform you?
Apparently everybody knew about this rule and it looks like most of the airlines follow it, so watch out guys!

biff · #7 04.02.2012, 14:24

	Quote:	adrianlondon
	That's common. I'd guess that all/most tickets are like that. You can discard the return part but not the outbound one.

Correct. In the case of a simple return, you cannot use the return part if you have not used the outgoing sector.

If it is a multi sector ticket, you cannot skip a middle sector and then use the latter ones ( though it is possible to buy an "open jaw" ticket eg: round the world, that allows a gap in the travel, continuing from another predetermined airport - not relevent to the OP though.

Wallabies · #8 04.02.2012, 14:24

	Quote:	ceppych
	Not really relevant in this case, but maybe to help someone. I recently discovered, to my cost, that if you don't use the out-going part of a return ticket, some economy tickets will not then allow you use the return half. The outgoing as well as the return becomes a 'no-show'. This was certainly my experience with Swiss.

This is normal on almost all tickets of any class. Seen it happen after a travel disruption problem airline booked the person onto another airline and then the system automatically cancelled the return half having to purchase a new one way and seek refund.

This is an area where unfortunately the airlines are pretty poor on telling people the T&Cs and usually leave to people to find out the hard way.

Charlotte G · #9 04.02.2012, 14:47

I just had to buy a one way ticket and learned that the US airlines charge more for one way tix than the European Airlines. Really cheap one ways to North America are available on Air Berlin, if you don't mind a connection in Dusseldorf. I believe they will also transport pets, if that is an issue. Good Luck!

Confloozed · #10 04.02.2012, 17:16

	Quote:	Charlotte G
	I just had to buy a one way ticket and learned that the US airlines charge more for one way tix than the European Airlines. Really cheap one ways to North America are available on Air Berlin, if you don't mind a connection in Dusseldorf. I believe they will also transport pets, if that is an issue. Good Luck!

I just using their site, maybe they are just having problems today but I found it the most difficult travel site to manage.

phdoofus · #11 04.02.2012, 17:30

I could save my future employer a fair bit of money by being able to buy my own tickets back to the US but they are required to use a travel agent and that means that we have to buy one way tickets which are 2.75x the round trip rate.

cst · #12 04.02.2012, 17:52

	Quote:	phdoofus
	I could save my future employer a fair bit of money by being able to buy my own tickets back to the US but they are required to use a travel agent and that means that we have to buy one way tickets which are 2.75x the round trip rate.

At first my company also tried to insist using the travel agent, but then they let me book my own ticket when I told them it would save them $600.

rob1 · #13 04.02.2012, 19:32

	Quote:	annafelix
	Sorry it's a bit off topic but I felt like sharing my experience with you. The same thing happened to me and also with the same airline( Swiss). I was really annoyed as I had to buy a new ticket from the airport( $.$$$)... and I had my cat travelling with me too. It was a living nightmare but I've learnt my lesson. But honestly now, why they don't let you know about cancelling your flight? Why are they always asking you for lots of personal details( mobile no, home line no, address, emails....) if they don't bother to inform you? Apparently everybody knew about this rule and it looks like most of the airlines follow it, so watch out guys!

if i understand correctly, you did not turn up for the outgoing flight but then wanted to travel on the return leg??

If thats what you did I am not aware of any airline that would allow you to fly the return leg as you would be classed as a no show. They will not contact you as you did not show up, its not thier duty to call you and say sorry miss your eturn leg is cancelled.

its all in the terms and conditions when you book

st2lemans · #14 04.02.2012, 19:35

Back in the day (15-20 years ago), my employer preferred that I take the wife and stay the weekend, as it was cheaper than normal tickets (including the hotel)!

Tom

jrspet · #15 04.02.2012, 19:39

Years ago when my parents migrated, they had an IOM rate ( cheaper by 30%, one way fares and with better baggage entitlements ).

For a family, it might be worth checking it out with them.

http://www.iom.int/jahia/Jahia/pid/1820

	Quote:
	What are concession fares? Concession fares are competitive air fares with additional benefits as negotiated by IOM with a wide variety of airline partners worldwide. What are the main benefits? The main benefits of concession fares are: Preferential air fares Special individual and group booking conditions Increased baggage entitlement Simplified payment procedures IOM-assisted passengers can also benefit from transit assistance at departure and arrival points and transit visa waiver arrangements at selected transit locations where these arrangements have been implemented.

	Quote:
	What advantage do I have in using IOM transportation assistance over those of a travel agency for my resettlement or emigration? IOM offers competitive fares, often well below or on par with locally available market fares with the added advantage of most fares being less restrictive (for instance, possibility of rebooking or even cancellation* without penalty), higher baggage allowance and transit assistance where available. Who can benefit from IOM’s transportation assistance? Officially recognized refugees in possession of proper documentation, migrants, students and other travellers who fall under a wide category of IOM programmes such as resettlement and returns are eligible for travel under IOM auspices on a temporary or permanent basis. Scholarship holder programmes Agricultural programmes Return of Qualified Nationals Resettlement programmes Special assistance programmes to developing countries, including programmes of technical co-operation with governments. Does IOM charge a service fee? Yes, there is a service fee which varies. Please contact IOM's Operational Support Unit (OSU) at osu@iom.int.

	Quote:
	Who do I contact? The Movement Management Department (MMD) based at the IOM Headquarters in Geneva has overall responsibility for all movement aspects worldwide. Within MMD, the Operations Support Unit (OSU) is the focal point for air fares, baggage allowance, transit, airline agreements and all other transport related issues. Requests are either dealt by OSU directly or channelled by the Unit to the concerned IOM field office.

TitanTurbo10 · #16 04.02.2012, 20:39

I agree with the person who said to look into non-US carriers as they often have better one-way rates. Also, with some airlines, for fares over a certain amount, you can make a claim for a refund of the tax and fees if you don't use a ticket. I'm not sure though if you can claim the tax and fees for a single leg, or if it is only for the whole flight.

phdoofus · #17 04.02.2012, 21:58

	Quote:	cst
	At first my company also tried to insist using the travel agent, but then they let me book my own ticket when I told them it would save them $600.

Unfortunately, it's the .gov. They have Das Rool Book.

Snoopy · #18 04.02.2012, 23:38

	Quote:	rob1
	if i understand correctly, you did not turn up for the outgoing flight but then wanted to travel on the return leg?? If thats what you did I am not aware of any airline that would allow you to fly the return leg as you would be classed as a no show. They will not contact you as you did not show up, its not thier duty to call you and say sorry miss your eturn leg is cancelled. its all in the terms and conditions when you book

Not sure why Wallabies groaned at rob1 for his comment which was the absolute truth. Anyway, if you look at the Conditions of Carriage on the Swiss website (art. 3.3.1) it clearly states that tickets must be used in the order that they were booked. And 3.3.6 says that if you don't turn up for a flight they can cancel subsequent reservations.

http://www.swiss.com/web/EN/general/...rticle_03.aspx

We might not read the small print, but that doesn't make it less valid.

Confloozed · #19 05.02.2012, 00:01

	Quote:	Snoopy
	Not sure why Wallabies groaned at rob1 for his comment which was the absolute truth. Anyway, if you look at the Conditions of Carriage on the Swiss website (art. 3.3.1) it clearly states that tickets must be used in the order that they were booked. And 3.3.6 says that if you don't turn up for a flight they can cancel subsequent reservations. http://www.swiss.com/web/EN/general/...rticle_03.aspx We might not read the small print, but that doesn't make it less valid.

Sometimes people groan others on here because they don't like that they hear. Even if it's the truth. They take it as sarcasm over some one trying to point out the facts.
I am victim of this myself

.

pearlwang663 · #20 05.02.2012, 01:17

	Quote:	Dantesheaven
	Exactly, buy the round trip, maybe even make the "return" many months later just in case you want to come for a visit, and then don't use the returns. The airlines do look for agencies that regularly book "false" return flights to take advantage of cheaper prices, but there is no law or rule against not using a return ticket. Good luck

I have a same question. And so I will probably book round trip ticket. And I found the US based websites have cheap price, even for flights within Europe.