99% of the time, book two one ways (flights)

[sam_gordon]

OK, I've learned my lesson. Unless there is a SIGNIFICANT savings (doubtful), I will book ALL flights as two one ways. Please learn from my mistakes...

Issue #1:
I travel a bunch for work, one earlier this year/late last year, I had a round trip booked, with a connection through JFK. The connecting flight got cancelled, I got rebooked out of LGA and got to my destination. BUT, Delta couldn't refund the price for the cancelled flight until the entire trip was finished. Not a huge deal, just meant I had to request my refund on my return, which they did. From then on, all business travel I do is two one-ways.

Issue #2:
Family trip (with eight people) for a cruise. No issues on the way down. Coming back yesterday, had a 3 hour connection in Atlanta, originating in Houston, and there was even another connecting flight 3 hours after that one. As we get to the Houston gate (WAY early), flight delayed 15 minutes. No big deal. Then it's delayed another 45. Then an additional 2 hours. Yup, that ate into our nice Atlanta cushion. OK, change us to the late connecting flight. Nope, that got cancelled. So they get us on three different flights today, but everyone on standby for every flight to home out of ATL. Our flight from Houston got cancelled, they didn't have ANY seats for three days, so we ended up renting a car.
Gate agent offered to refund for the cancelled trip, but couldn't because it was the 2nd half of the trip. Sent us to the ticket counter saying the guy there could. Nope. He advises waiting until Tuesday to call. Again, not a huge deal, but would have been easier to solve if it was two one ways.

I say "99%" because of course there will be some outlier where a RT ticket is significantly cheaper. Worth checking, but not worth it unless you're saving hundreds of dollars (IMO).

 

[jeneric997]

Today DH flight was cancelled after they boarded- no pilots. His return flight was tomorrow. Had he not booked as a round trip, I am not sure what would have happened. I actually am not sure what happened this morning- the entire trip disappeared. So I'm guessing Delta cancelled the whole thing.

Wouldn't you have trouble getting money back on a return flight if you book separately and the first flight is cancelled and you never make the trip???

 

[Sandi]

I think the Crowdstrike global meltdown is what is causing the cascade of problems in the last couple of days. Not sure having two one ways or a round trip would make much of a difference right now. It's worth looking at for the future though. Interesting thought.

 

[sam_gordon]

Today DH flight was cancelled after they boarded- no pilots. His return flight was tomorrow. Had he not booked as a round trip, I am not sure what would have happened. I actually am not sure what happened this morning- the entire trip disappeared. So I'm guessing Delta cancelled the whole thing.

I've never been allowed on a plane until the crew had boarded. I'm surprised they allowed that.

Wouldn't you have trouble getting money back on a return flight if you book separately and the first flight is cancelled and you never make the trip???

Good question. But, if the airline can't get me to the destination to start with, I could find another way to get there, and still use the return flight, or argue they can't get me there, so I'm entitled to a refund (maybe just an e-credit) for the return.

 

[sam_gordon]

I think the Crowdstrike global meltdown is what is causing the cascade of problems in the last couple of days. Not sure having two one ways or a round trip would make much of a difference right now. It's worth looking at for the future though. Interesting thought.

Having this trip as two one ways wouldn't have made a difference in getting on a plane yesterday. What it would have helped with was getting the refund going (by the gate agent or ticket agent) yesterday, versus having to call in (and wait to call, because others actually flying today and tomorrow should have priority.

 

[EACarlson]

Three fairly significant scenarios that would require booking as a round trip. International, most international tickets booked more than two weeks in advance have a round trip requirement for most if not all discounted fare buckets. Travel insurance, my travel insurance doesn't cover one way trips, and neither does the travel insurance on most credit cards. Inability to cancel for refund, since you would be cancelling the return by choice with no significant schedule change.

The pros are it makes it easier to change one part, allows you to fly different airlines if it makes sense for you in each direction.

What's the actual downside to waiting an extra few days to request a refund? Especially if you're on vacation, it can wait until you get home.

 

[sam_gordon]

What's the actual downside to waiting an extra few days to request a refund? Especially if you're on vacation, it can wait until you get home.

In this case, it's the return flight that was the issue. I was actually supposed to head back out today for work, but fortunately that trip got cancelled late last week, so I have the time.

 

[paults]

I always book 2 ( one way flights), been doing that for years.

 

[Lewisc]

most international tickets booked more than two weeks in advance have a round trip requirement for most if not all discounted fare buckets

I'm sure you know this, to clarify for others, the real requirement is for a return flight. You generally qualify for round trip pricing if you book multi city. An example might be New York to Rome with Venice to NY return.

 

[Pinnochio]

I always book 2 ( one way flights), been doing that for years.

same here!

 

[thanxfornoticin]

I always book 2 ( one way flights), been doing that for years.

Same for us. There was a time, perhaps 15-20 years ago when roundtrip fares were often cheaper. Not anymore. The 2 halves tend to be easier to maintain and adjust, if needed.

 

[theMoreDisneytheBetter]

I am very hesitant to fly 2 one ways for the very reason that if there is a problem I won’t get any help on the return of the outbound somehow doesn’t work out.

I have enough issues when our party’s reservation gets split (eg trying to use plus points but only for part of the party).

 

[sheilafri]

I’ve had a problem with two one ways. I flew out of state for some surgery and booked it as one ways. Recovery didn’t go as hoped for so had to pay separate change fees.

 

[sam_gordon]

I’ve had a problem with two one ways. I flew out of state for some surgery and booked it as one ways. Recovery didn’t go as hoped for so had to pay separate change fees.

I don't understand this. You flew out for the surgery, recovery didn't go as hoped, so had to change the return. Why did you have to pay change fees for the outbound flight?

 

[sheilafri]

I didn’t pay for an outbound flight change. Frankly, it’s been long enough that I don’t remember the details really well. I had to have the surgery redone twice (total three times) so there were lots of changes, charges and new bookings. I remember the agent saying if my original booking hadn’t been two one ways, I wouldn’t have been charged the change fee. I had to change my post-op check up trip to accommodate a later surgery date, therefore, two change fees.

 

[sam_gordon]

I didn’t pay for an outbound flight change. Frankly, it’s been long enough that I don’t remember the details really well. I had to have the surgery redone twice (total three times) so there were lots of changes, charges and new bookings. I remember the agent saying if my original booking hadn’t been two one ways, I wouldn’t have been charged the change fee. I had to change my post-op check up trip to accommodate a later surgery date, therefore, two change fees.

I appreciate the answer. The logic doesn't make sense to me. You booked a round trip (as two one ways) for the original surgery (call them "Flight A & Flight B")? Then another round trip for post op check up (Flight C)?

Flight A went as scheduled. Because of having to get the surgery redone multiple times, you had to change Flight B.
That of course changed the timing for the post op check, so changes for Flight C.

I can understand charges for two flight changes (B & C), don't know why it would be different if A/B was RT.

Anyway, just my thoughts, not doubting you, just trying to understand the airline's logic.