FYI- Canceling the return portion of your flights

[Rob and Jill 82]

There have been a few threads going around VJ about people having problems due to not canceling the return portion of their flights. Apparently, some people have been listed as leaving the country on their return portion, even though they clearly did not leave the country.

I canceled Rob's return portion today, and wanted to let you know what I discovered. Because we bought the tickets online, Continental has them considered as a partially used ticket, and the return portion IS CONSIDERED GOOD until 1 year from the date of purchase. So even though I called and canceled it, there is still a return ticket available that has already been paid in full.

Make sure if you CANCEL the return portion you receive WRITTEN confirmation that it was canceled because in essence, you still have an available return flight.

[Lisa and Ian 7]

There have been a few threads going around VJ about people having problems due to not canceling the return portion of their flights. Apparently, some people have been listed as leaving the country on their return portion, even though they clearly did not leave the country.

I canceled Rob's return portion today, and wanted to let you know what I discovered. Because we bought the tickets online, Continental has them considered as a partially used ticket, and the return portion IS CONSIDERED GOOD until 1 year from the date of purchase. So even though I called and canceled it, there is still a return ticket available that has already been paid in full.

Make sure if you CANCEL the return portion you receive WRITTEN confirmation that it was canceled because in essence, you still have an available return flight.

Good information. So you're saying you could get a flight anywhere that's the same price (of the return) or less within a year?

Although, I have to say that we never canceled the return portion of our ticket and did not have any immigration issues because of it.

[Rob and Jill 82]

Good information. So you're saying you could get a flight anywhere that's the same price (of the return) or less within a year?

I don't know if you could get it "anywhere", but I asked, if we would be able to send him back with the same type of flight one way and he said "yes" as long as it is in less than 1 year from the date of purchase.

On a side note, because of this they will not refund any of the money on the ticket.

[HeatDeath 430]

Good information. So you're saying you could get a flight anywhere that's the same price (of the return) or less within a year?

Although, I have to say that we never canceled the return portion of our ticket and did not have any immigration issues because of it.

It's really VERY precautionary. The immigration troubles only occur if the airline completely drops the ball and keeps your name on the flight manifest when they sell your return seat to someone flying standby. They are supposed to be very diligent to ensure that the flight manifest is updated to include the correct name of the standby passenger who is taking "your" seat. The problem is that, even though it's the airline's screwup, USCIS trusts the airlines more than they trust you.

The main point of cancelling the return leg is not to get any money back. You already probably saved money by taking a round trip over a one way flight anyways. The main point of cancelling the return leg is to do everything in your power to ensure that your name can no longer be linked, even accidentally or negligently, to that seat on that flight leaving the US.

[Lisa and Ian 7]

It's really VERY precautionary. The immigration troubles only occur if the airline completely drops the ball and keeps your name on the flight manifest when they sell your return seat to someone flying standby. They are supposed to be very diligent to ensure that the flight manifest is updated to include the correct name of the standby passenger who is taking "your" seat. The problem is that, even though it's the airline's screwup, USCIS trusts the airlines more than they trust you.

The main point of cancelling the return leg is not to get any money back. You already probably saved money by taking a round trip over a one way flight anyways. The main point of cancelling the return leg is to do everything in your power to ensure that your name can no longer be linked, even accidentally or negligently, to that seat on that flight leaving the US.

I really don't think this is anything to worry about. Plenty of people do not cancel their return leg and I've never heard of anyone being accused of leaving the country by immigration if they have not. If they had actually left without obtaining advance parole, they would not be in the US to defend their "leaving the country", because they would not be allowed back in.

I can see where it would be quite useful to cancel it if you think you might want to use that leg within a year from purchase, though. It would be a nice thing to have for emergencies or vacation, perhaps.

Edited November 21, 2010 by Lisa and Ian

[marlea 84]

I really don't think this is anything to worry about. Plenty of people do not cancel their return leg and I've never heard of anyone being accused of leaving the country by immigration if they have not. If they had actually left without obtaining advance parole, they would not be in the US to defend their "leaving the country", because they would not be allowed back in.

I can see where it would be quite useful to cancel it if you think you might want to use that leg within a year from purchase, though. It would be a nice thing to have for emergencies or vacation, perhaps.

Not true. Here are two threads of people who were denied AOS, even though they didn't leave the country on their return flight, because the airline made a mistake.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/268029-returned-flight-cost-my-husband-his-aos/

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/255674-denial-of-aos-due-to-inaccurate-info/

Although the likelihood of this happening is very small, it's still a huge pain, and possibly a costly error. It's much safer to cancel the ticket and reduce the risk.

Edited November 21, 2010 by marlea

[Lisa and Ian 7]

Not true. Here are two threads of people who were denied AOS, even though they didn't leave the country on their return flight, because the airline made a mistake.

http://www.visajourn...usband-his-aos/

http://www.visajourn...naccurate-info/

Although the likelihood of this happening is very small, it's still a huge pain, and possibly a costly error. It's much safer to cancel the ticket and reduce the risk.

Wow, bizzare! I guess it's lucky more people don't run into this problem.

[Rob and Jill 82]

Wow, bizzare! I guess it's lucky more people don't run into this problem.

Marlea's links are exactly why I thought to post this! It *could* be a problem, so it's always better to be safe than sorry!