Is it possible to get cheap one way flights

shayward

Hi All,

We are looking to emmigrate in the new year and need 1 way tickets to the states.

When I do a search for one way tickets they come out at £814 each!:shocked:

But if I search for return flights I can get exactly the same flight out, plus an unusable return flight for £545.

This seems crazy to me that it should be cheaper to buy two flights than one.

Is it ever possible to get a one way flight for less than the return?

Or am i just going to have to buy return flights and never use the return leg?

dzug1

To the US - rarely. There isn't much demand for one way tickets because the vast majority of travellers need a return ticket to get in. So no effective competition.

pompeyrich

If you are certain of your outbound flights, then a return will, typically, be cheaper. Not sure of the different classes of ticket but the single one is amendable and fully refundable, the return ticket is the lower priced amendable, for a fee and only taxes refunded if cancelled.

neilbond007

I moved over here 20 months ago and the company bought a return. As you say, much cheaper than 1 way.

ailuro2

Check the terms and conditions carefully - usually there's a clause saying you are liable if you don't use both legs of the ticket.;)

dzug1

ailuro2 wrote: »

Check the terms and conditions carefully - usually there's a clause saying you are liable if you don't use both legs of the ticket.;)

Not usually with air fares - just some ferries.

The usual air fare clause is that if you don't use the outbound leg the return will be cancelled.

Caz3121

If you search the net on "throwaway ticketing" you will find a number of articles. Many of the airlines have it in their Ts&Cs that it is not allowed however I have never heard of anyone getting chased after for the difference in fare from the return to the one-way (which is what their terms imply they can do)

Mands

shayward wrote: »

Is it ever possible to get a one way flight for less than the return?

Yes, but you'll need to use one of the carriers who price per leg. Aer Lingus and their flights originating out of Dublin or Shannon would be worth a look as would Iceland Express with a brief stopover in Iceland.

I was playing about with some Iceland air flights a couple of days ago, as a result of a post here, and one-ways for the dates I might be interested in were coming in at prices starting from £180 pp.

Obviously neither of this is the quickest or less hassle-free route but if price is the concern then they'll be much closer to what you were hoping to pay.

Happy researching,
Mands

alanrowell

ailuro2 wrote: »

Check the terms and conditions carefully - usually there's a clause saying you are liable if you don't use both legs of the ticket.;)

They won't pursue you if it only happens occasionally - it's if you do it on a regular basis that they get sniffy. And if you collect air-miles with that airline you could find that they remove your miles.