thursdaysd

I was searching for flights to/from Colombia on the Jetblue site. When a request for a return trip didn't work, I tried for a one-way in order to figure out which days they flew the route I wanted. That got me a pop-up with this message:

'You have selected to fly one way internationally. Because you're traveling to another country, proof of return travel will be required at the airport. "

Never seen anything like this before. I often fly into one country and travel overland to others, even returning on a different airline. Is this something new? Do they expect me to be refused entry at my destination if I don't have a return ticket?

MmePerdu

Sounds like Big Brother/Homeland Security making further inroads. Unless, judging by the first failed request, the site is simply malfunctioning. But it sounds more like the former, doesn't it. I've bought one-way tickets to other continents too and have never seen that. But maybe it's a recent development. If so, an unacceptable one.

thursdaysd

No, the site isn't malfunctioning. Looks like they're only running flights to Medellin, not Cartagena, in November and December.

Jeff_Costa_Rica

It has nothing to do with "Big Brother" or U.S. Homeland Security. Most countries have a return- or onward-ticket requirement for foreigners. Colombia is one of them. JetBlue will sell you a one-way ticket to Colombia, but you better supply evidence that you are going to leave Colombia when you check in for your flight. If you don't have it, you won't even get on the plane. That's what's going on here.

MmePerdu

Oh, good, I like Jeff's answer much better than mine. I vote for that one.

I've never been refused boarding, though, or even been asked at immigration to show proof of onward travel plans, even when it's supposedly required.

Jeff_Costa_Rica

The enforcement effectively takes place when you check in at the airport for your flight to the destination. The check-in agent will expect to see something proving that you're leaving, and they'll want to see it right then.

Costa Rica is notorious for enforcing this requirement. I've known people who've tried to check in in the U.S. for one-way flights to CR and have said to the check-in agent when questioned, "Oh, I'm going to be traveling through Central America for a few months." They don't even get on the plane. Or the only way can board is to buy a plane ticket out of Costa Rica to somewhere right then and there.

thursdaysd

I checked with my friends who flew into Colombia at the start of an overland tour a couple of years back. They said that when they checked in (with Sprint) with one way tickets they weren't able to board until they bought return tickets. (Refundable, turned in for a refund on arrival.) But that no-one on entry to Colombia asked to see any proof of onward travel. Of course, the officials may have figured that the airline already took care of it.

I have heard that people entering the UK are often asked for proof of onward travel, but not that the airlines check for it.

MmePerdu

Very interesting. I can understand the UK requirement although after innumerable flights there I've never been asked for proof of onward travel. I wonder why Columbia thinks people are apt to overstay their welcome?

dutyfree

My daughter always gets hassled in the UK if she doesn't have a return ticket.

thursdaysd

dutyfree - but does she get denied boarding by the airline?

MmePerdu

The airlines are the de facto enforcers because if a passenger doesn't have a return or onward ticket and it's discovered by the authorities on arrival they are liable to transport them back from whence they came. That's why they care.

mrwunrfl

>>buy a plane ticket out of Costa Rica

Jeff, suppose that a person had an open jaw: a one-way ticket to Costa Rica and a one-way ticket returning from Guatemala and planned to travel by land between the two countries. Would that be ok?

thursdaysd

MmePerdu - I know that's why the airlines care, I just had never seen them caring by posting a warning on their website when you tried to by a one way ticket before.

janisj

Mme Perdu is not of a demographic they scrutinize as much as some others. I haven't been asked either, but have observed MANY who have been asked when entering the UK. including a couple of times folks traveling with me.

MmePerdu

By "demographic" you refer presumably to my age & ethnicity. I've been traveling to the UK for a very long time, was asked once in the mid-60's how much money I had with me, the only time I was ever asked anything of the kind, I assume because I was young. What, then, was the the demographic of "folks traveling with me." Please explain or it's of no use, if it is of use in any case.

janisj

One was a 20 something fellow but not scruffy or unkempt. Was carrying a backpack. The other was a 19 yo cousin who was wearing a semi bohemian (long skirt, sandals etc) but didn't look like a 'hippie' or anything.

Smeagol

When I checked in for my flight to Laos at BKK airport I was asked to prove I had a return flight. I have had to do this for other SE Asian countries also.