One way airfare versus RT

[JenniJ]

What are the pluses and minus of booking one way versus round trip?

I priced out both Southwest RT, Airtran RT and then both one way picking the lowest fares. The one way total cost comes out $52 cheeper.

I know ther are bagage fees for Airtran, but we will be paying an airfare for our 2 year old. So we can add extra things to his carry on.

I have not priced airfare via travel sites (Hotwire, Cheep Air, etc.) I will be doing that next.

It just seams common sense to book one ways....

 

[r&kmommy]

If it makes monetary sense then go for it! I do know that the FAA randomly picks people to be "extra screened" (don't know the actual name lol) and my dh was picked once and ds once on tickets that we booked both ways (it's a code printed on your boarding pass) and it took a bit of time... I only say that because one way tickets used to flag you for extra screening. Things may be different, but back when I worked the guys used to do one ways for cost savings and they almost always got the extra screening flag.

HTH some (and this may even be old info, I haven't worked there since 2007 lol)

 

[DisneyDebbie]

I always book one way for Jet Blue or Southwest. My reasoning is it's easier to change or move flights around if needed. (I've never actually had to change a flight, but I like the easier option if it's necessary).

 

[jjohnson]

It doesn't affect SWA but I always book one way trips to get a credit when the price drops on JB.

 

[Melmac]

I book one way flights if it works out cheaper. I would also book one ways if the times were better. I can't really think of a con to booking one way flights only unless it that you have to keep track of a little extra paperwork.

 

[leebee]

I've booked one way flights if I liked the time schedule better by booking different airlines or to save some money. Every little bit helps!!

 

[Fire14]

I must be lucky I've flown multiple times on one ways and never been pegged for extra screening but I also havce a passport.

 

[stephgles]

For the past few years I have done one way verses rt. It just seems prices are better that way. Some days fares are cheaper than others. It is all about search what is the best fit. I was able to get $62.00 one way for per person for the 3 of us. I since I have been pricing the flight back it has gone from $320.00 to $157.00. I am giving it a few more weeks to see what happens. I still have 2 months to go so not to worried.

It is all a game in the end.

 

[r&kmommy]

I must be lucky I've flown multiple times on one ways and never been pegged for extra screening but I also havce a passport.

Reading your post triggered my memory and THAT'S the key... our international broker had a passport (obviously) and he never got extra screening when he did 1 ways w/in the US, and he always said that's why.