One Way Flights

[geowrian 22,337]

On 1/18/2020 at 12:31 PM, FreyandRyan said:

Round trip is usually cheaper than one way. So just buy a round trip and then don’t use the way back one. 

Just make sure to cancel the return trip after arrival.

The US uses APIS to determine when you exit the country - you don't go through immigration counters. Sometimes the airline will keep you on the manifest, then USCIS will assume you left the country. If this is after filing for AOS but before you have AP or a green card, they will either send an RFE for evidence of not leaving the US, OR they will outright deny the I-485 due to abandonment. Both conditions are fixable and usually even appealable, but it's not something you want to happen in the first place.

[FreyandRyan 330]

3 hours ago, geowrian said:

Just make sure to cancel the return trip after arrival.

The US uses APIS to determine when you exit the country - you don't go through immigration counters. Sometimes the airline will keep you on the manifest, then USCIS will assume you left the country. If this is after filing for AOS but before you have AP or a green card, they will either send an RFE for evidence of not leaving the US, OR they will outright deny the I-485 due to abandonment. Both conditions are fixable and usually even appealable, but it's not something you want to happen in the first place.

Haven't heard this yet. Good tip! Thanks!

[Haydnator 274]

5 hours ago, geowrian said:

Just make sure to cancel the return trip after arrival.

The US uses APIS to determine when you exit the country - you don't go through immigration counters. Sometimes the airline will keep you on the manifest, then USCIS will assume you left the country. If this is after filing for AOS but before you have AP or a green card, they will either send an RFE for evidence of not leaving the US, OR they will outright deny the I-485 due to abandonment. Both conditions are fixable and usually even appealable, but it's not something you want to happen in the first place.

Thats good to know.

 

Do you know if they charge you a cancellation fee if you do cancel the return ticket ?

Edited January 20, 2020 by Haydnator

[Just Paul 4,595]

Just now, Haydnator said:

Do you know if you do cancel the return ticket if they charge you a cancellation fee?

You won't get any money back.   You are buying the cheapest ticket you can so you aren't buying a refundable fare.   They are not going to charge you for something you didn't use.

[Haydnator 274]

5 minutes ago, Paul & Mary said:

You won't get any money back.   You are buying the cheapest ticket you can so you aren't buying a refundable fare.   They are not going to charge you for something you didn't use.

Makes sense.  We weren't expecting any money back. We just weren't sure If they'd slap on a fine for cancelling the return flight.

Edited January 20, 2020 by Haydnator

[geowrian 22,337]

3 hours ago, FreyandRyan said:

Haven't heard this yet. Good tip! Thanks!

No problem.

 

48 minutes ago, Haydnator said:

Thats good to know.

 

Do you know if they charge you a cancellation fee if you do cancel the return ticket ?

I'm unaware of actually being charged a cancellation fee...normally that is if you either want a refund (if available) or to exchange/trade for another flight. Otherwise, you're just forfeiting the ticket...meaning there's 1 more seat that they can now sell to somebody else at pure profit.

 

I have seen a handful of cases where an airline (in Singapore maybe? I forget) that tried to actually charge a cancellation fee but they quickly dropped pursuing it when it made the news.

[Wuozopo 4,293]

1 hour ago, Haydnator said:

Thats good to know.

 

Do you know if they charge you a cancellation fee if you do cancel the return ticket ?

United didn’t charge me. When you look for flights, remember you can try different return dates, something off season, red eye flights, routes with three stops, to see if a less desirable return gives you a better price. You don’t have to make it for two weeks later or even within 90 days.  Nobody at POE is going to be asking to see a return ticket. You’ll be on a visa, not VWP.. 

[Haydnator 274]

1 hour ago, geowrian said:

No problem.

 

I'm unaware of actually being charged a cancellation fee...normally that is if you either want a refund (if available) or to exchange/trade for another flight. Otherwise, you're just forfeiting the ticket...meaning there's 1 more seat that they can now sell to somebody else at pure profit.

 

I have seen a handful of cases where an airline (in Singapore maybe? I forget) that tried to actually charge a cancellation fee but they quickly dropped pursuing it when it made the news.

 

10 minutes ago, Wuozopo said:

United didn’t charge me. When you look for flights, remember you can try different return dates, something off season, red eye flights, routes with three stops, to see if a less desirable return gives you a better price. You don’t have to make it for two weeks later or even within 90 days.  Nobody at POE is going to be asking to see a return ticket. You’ll be on a visa, not VWP.. 

Ah ok, good to know. Thanks!

[david'sgirl 134]

My husband got a return and didn’t use the second part. It was considerably cheaper!

[Crazy Cat 41,836]

1 minute ago, david'sgirl said:

My husband got a return and didn’t use the second part. It was considerably cheaper!

That is the best option, imo.  The only issue I have ever seen in someone buying a round-trip ticket was when the person entered the US via a K-1, then forgot to cancel the return flight.  At the adjustment of status interview, the officer thought the person had left the US before receiving approved advance parole......but I would always go with the cheaper ticket....

[david'sgirl 134]

Good point. As long as it’s cancelled it should not be an issue.