juliekim64

Hello!
I was looking at flights to London and I saw that two one-way flights from the same airline were cheaper than buying a round trip from the same airline...
Both one-way flights are nonstop.

Is there any complications that I could face if I decide to buy two one way flights rather than a round trip?

Thank you.

Odin

None.

xcountry

Worth checking - If you need to change your flights you might end up paying two change fees rather than one.

ileen

JulieKim--we have bought 2 one way tickets several times since the round trip fare was so much higher. We had no problems.

Southam

It is so unusual to find that situation. Could you provide your departure and destination cities so others can check it out? In my experience, a single trans-Atlantic fare can sometimes be higher than a round trip.

Odin

It is not unusual at all that 2 one ways are cheaper than a return. It used to be, but not anymore.

whitehall

That may be the case with the so-called legacy carriers, but the new discounters like WOW and Norwegian might offer cheaper one way fares. However, as suggested, the question of higher change fees may need to be considered. I guess you can book your first leg and then find that the fare for the second leg has changed. That does happen, and then it's too late to cancel the first one.

Traveler_Nick

It isn't just change fees. If the airline changes either flight (It happens) with a R/T you're usually given an option of a full refund or accepting the change. If you have two one ways you risk getting a refund for one and having a worthless return.

I agree it's strange to find two one ways cheaper. The discounters don't charge more for a R/T.

Odin

WOW and Norwegian are not new discounters, unless that is a new name for low cost carriers.

We have had separate bookings on the same airlines for various reasons which would include one ways or various onward flights. When one of the flight times changed, it impacted one of the other bookings. So I told the airline, this change causes a problem for the other flight on another booking. They changed the other booking so there was no longer a conflict, without charge. Whether all airlines, esp the US carriers would be so accommodating iis probably doubtful.

And because someone has said they found two one ways cheaper on the same airline, it doesn't mean it is always going to be cheaper, generally a RT is cheaper but there are occasions where it is not.

The only valid objection IMO is the possibility of paying 2 lots of change fees, but if you are booking with the intention of changing flights, which most people do not, then you probably should not be looking to book the cheapest fares or cheapest combo. (usually non refundable/non changeable).