? about booking one way tickets

[M&C'sMom]

HI!
I can currently book Houston-Orlando on SWA for May 9, the day we leave, for $85 at the time I want. I've heard that some people book each leg separately, basically 2 one way tickets. I'm considering doing this but I'm scared!! What if there's nothing available on my return date?? SWA is currently only booking until May 10 and our return date is May 13. Last summer I was waiting for the dates to come out for a different trip and by the time my dates were out, none of the good fares for my dates were available. I've already put a deposit down on my hotel package so the dates are pretty set.

So....any horror stories on booking 2 one ways?? Any success stories?? Is there any way to lose by doing this?

Thanks for any input!!

 

[KerryCM]

My last 3 trips I have done the one way tickets. It has been very easy to do and I have had no problems. Actually my April trip I booked our return flights at a rather high price and kept checking. We now have credit for $98.20 per ticket!! It is so easy to change your tickets. We even got an ealirer, non-stop flight .

 

[Joann]

What is the difference if u book one way each time , or return tickets? I have always done return but seeing as nothing new is up for May yet I cant do return yet!I can however get a good price one way there? Guess what I am asking is doing two one way tickets will it cause a problem or is it pretty much the same just not a matching flight number for way home ... not sure if I stated this right! LOL if i do two one ways , is there anything to worry about going wrong?

 

[Hannathy]

allow extra time for security if you book one way. Many times one way fliers get flagged for the extra checks at security. This has happened everytime my DD flies one way. Her suitcase has usually been hand checked also.

 

[keishashadow]

In Oct. we flew AT to MCO and SW back to PIT...

it was the very 1st time EVER DH & DS (who have the same name) WEREN'T subjected to extra security measures.

 

[salmoneous]

I think the extra security for 1-way tickets is a thing of the past now that it has has become more common. Besides, no terrorist would book a 1-way ticket these days.

My last 3-4 flights have all been 1-ways, and I've haven't seen a hint of extra security.

 

[2Princes2Princesses]

I booked one way for our 2/5 flight when the cheaper rates came out. For our flight home, SW was out of the $59 tix, so I booked Delta for $59 bucks.

I don't worry about the other way.......someone will have a decent fare available for the return. For us, Airtran was a little higher or we would have booked them.

 

[camdensmom]

Just be prepared.

We were in the same situation with our flights down since at the time the booking was only until March 10 and we needed a March 11 return.

Since the rate was 49.00 we snagged it.

Well the return flights came out and they are 239.00 per person!!!!!!!

So much for my great fare!

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

I think the extra security for 1-way tickets is a thing of the past now that it has has become more common. Besides, no terrorist would book a 1-way ticket these days.

My last 3-4 flights have all been 1-ways, and I've haven't seen a hint of extra security.

Same with us too! I haven't booked a RT in years.

 

[PictureJumpr]

Just be prepared.

We were in the same situation with our flights down since at the time the booking was only until March 10 and we needed a March 11 return.

Since the rate was 49.00 we snagged it.

Well the return flights came out and they are 239.00 per person!!!!!!!

So much for my great fare!

as they mentioned earlier, for big-traffic airports (orlando) many airlines will have multiple flights in all kinds of price ranges. you don't have to use the same airline both ways.

this year, we are arriving on continental one-ways at 79 each, and departing on delta for 89 - continental wanted 169 for the return leg.

if this kind of cross-line booking intimidates you, you can 'build' tickets on expedia or similar sites using multiple airlines and see price patterns, then visit the airlines themselves and book (prices are always just a bit higher on expedia/orbitz/etc which can add up if you're buying multiple tickets)

as for problems, i do this all the time flying all over, and have never had a problem. after all, you're carrying all of your stuff with you when you leave at arrival, and bringing it back to the airport with you when you get ready to go home.

think of it as your younger days, when mom dropped you off at the theme park and dad picked you up.

 

[PURTYPAT1]

For the last 5 years, I have been booking, one way trips this way (we seem to travel on the busiest travel days of the year)

I had to book 17 family members airfare for our Disney Cruise last Thanksgiving. I am very proud to say, I was able to grab one way fares non stop & the total came to 197.00 per person. This was great for Thanksgiving.

I managed to do the same for this Feb for presidents week. 197.00 round trip. (I booked 330) I am flying out of EWR & returning in LGA.

I have never been stopped or pulled out of line.

Hope this helps

Patricia