one way flights?

[wen-tom]

Hi all,
wondering if anyone has any experience of booking a one way flight to the US? we are looking at the DCL transatlantic cruise next year.

Thomsons have told me to book a return and simply not show up for the return flight as returns are cheaper but i'm a bit weary of doing that!

 

[disneyholic family]

Yes that often is cheaper
I've done that

 

[chmurf]

just a simulation for august 2012 (dates don't matter since it's a comparison between one way and return on the same date)

return direct : LGW - MCO : £1036 with VA
return indirect : LHR-ATL-MCO : £664 with Delta

one way direct : LGW-MCO : £845 with VA
one way indirect LHR-PHL-MCO : £703 with US Airways

So for that specific date (Aug 8th 2012) a one way ticket gets cheaper than a return ticket if you don't use the flight home. For a direct flight you'd pay £191 less booking one way. But flying indirect you'd pay less booking a return ticket.

Same simulation for February 7th 2013
return indirect : LGW-CLT-MCO : £423 with US Airways
return direct : LGW-MCO : £443 with VA

one way direct : LGW-MCO : £842 with VA
one way indirect : LGW-DUB-MCO : £443 with Aer Lingus
one way indirect : LHR-PHL-MCO : £715 with US Airways

here, for that specific period, flying direct one way will cost you £400 more than booking a return flight direct with a no show for the flight home.

If you fly indirect, there is no significant difference in price.

You really need to get quotes to see what's the best deal.

ETA : don't worry about not showing up. If you don't make it past the latest boarding time (60 minutes for transatlantic flight) your seat will be attributed to one of the passengers flying standby (or one who's been bumped or whatever)
Actually, your TA (especially if it has ties or is a carrier, will tell you to book a return ticket. Because when you don't show up, they get to put another customer in your seat, meaning they can collect twice the fare for the same seat, no matter how much you paid for it, the other passenger also did.

See, nothing wrong in not showing up in that case, there won't be any consequence.

 

[wayneg]

I have done one way flights before and are doing again next month but it works far better if you have airmiles to use.
Do you have any VA airmiles?
Example August 17th 2012 LGW~MCO = £845
Reward seat 22,500 total miles GBP 193.90 total taxes, fees, charges and Carrier imposed surcharges

This time I am flying out on a one way ticket with VA and returning Delta Economy comfort one way but both using airmiles.

Last time (2008) I did economy reward seat out with VA and returned paying with BMI but booked on Orbitz.com in $'s, they were the same UK agents in £'s but $2/£1 so made them half price of UK agents.

Basically you have to look at all options.

 

[wen-tom]

thanks for the help everyone. i think i am worried about being a 'no show' for the return because I read a horror story about someone who had intentionally booked a return knowing that they wouldn't use the return.. they ended up being charged the extra £ for the one way flight!

I do have VA miles but not enough for it to help.. I think I have around 12,000.

also, we need to fly to texas and this isn't an option for VA. i have never looked at the partner airlines for spending VA miles...

 

[wayneg]

thanks for the help everyone. i think i am worried about being a 'no show' for the return because I read a horror story about someone who had intentionally booked a return knowing that they wouldn't use the return.. they ended up being charged the extra £ for the one way flight!

If you book a return and not show for the 1st leg (outbound) they will automatically cancel your return leg and you will have to pay for a one way flight home at top $. If you use your outbound and not turn up for the return there is nothing they can do as far as I know.

 

[chmurf]

If you use your outbound and not turn up for the return there is nothing they can do as far as I know.

the only thing they can do is deny you any refund or compensation (which you obviously won't be seeking) for the flight you didn't take.

 

[wen-tom]

the only thing they can do is deny you any refund or compensation (which you obviously won't be seeking) for the flight you didn't take.

thanks i feel a little better about doing that then.

i guess now all there is left to do is look for a decent return price

 

[chmurf]

If you go for the no show option, do not call the airline during your stay to tell them you won't take that flight.
Do not let them know that it is your intention to not fly the return leg.

Some people are just too honest and would call to cancel the unused part of the itinerary. Don't do that.

 

[wayneg]

If you go for the no show option, do not call the airline during your stay to tell them you won't take that flight.
Do not let them know that it is your intention to not fly the return leg.

Some people are just too honest and would call to cancel the unused part of the itinerary. Don't do that.

Exactly. The same applies if you don't collect a flydrive car. Just don't collect it, if you tell them they will charge you an unpackaging fee, its better to just not turn up in these situations.