It’s one of the first decisions we make when booking a flight: should I book a return flight or a one-way flight?
Finding flights and airline tickets is usually something you think about before you ever click “search.”
At first glance it seems like a fairly simple choice. Book a one-way flight if you’re only flying in one direction, and book a return flight if you’re returning home… right?
Unfortunately, it’s not that simple. Thanks to airline pricing trends and our own personal scheduling issues, there’s one more thing we need to consider.
There may be cases where you wonder whether it is better to book two one-way flights to save money. You may have uncertain plans that make it difficult to book a return flight. In some cases, if you’re visiting a few different cities, you might be better off with something completely different: a multi-city itinerary.
There are also plenty of additional considerations if you book an award flight with frequent flyer miles or fly internationally.
Here we explain the basics of what you need to know about booking return flights.
What is a return flight?
A round trip is an itinerary from one destination to another, with a flight back to the original destination.
In most cases, this is what you’ll likely book if you’re going on vacation or visiting a relative for a holiday weekend.
Daily newsletter
Reward your inbox with the TPG Daily newsletter
Join over 700,000 readers for the latest news, in-depth guides and exclusive offers from the experts at TPG
Let’s say I live in Charlotte and want to fly to Arizona for spring break. I book an itinerary that includes an outbound flight to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) and a return flight to Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) aboard American Airlines.
The two flights, booked together on one route, form a return flight.
What is the difference between a return flight and a one-way flight?
When you book a round-trip flight, your itinerary includes an outbound flight and a return flight.
A one-way flight only takes you in one direction, for example from Charlotte to Phoenix, with no return flight scheduled.
Is a return flight different from 2 one-way flights?
Yes, in terms of how you book your trip. No, regarding your travel plans themselves.
Here too, a return route includes both an outbound flight and a return trip to the city of origin. A one-way ticket is a one-way trip from one airport to another, without a return flight booked.
Booking of 2 one-way flights
However, if you book two one-way flights, you can essentially create your own version of a tour. This could be with the same airline, but also with two completely different airlines.
For your travel experience, it is basically a tour.
But know that in the airline’s computer systems you are technically traveling on two separate reservations. You will therefore receive different travel confirmation numbers for the outward and return flights.
Is booking 2 one-way flights cheaper than a return flight?
In the US, splitting a round-trip flight into two one-way flights with the same airline and travel dates usually makes no difference in terms of price.
However, on a small number of routes, airlines charge a premium for one-way bookings compared to the price they charge for a return flight. This is more common internationally, where round trips can be better value than two one-way trips. Booking two separate one-way flights is usually more expensive for international travel.
Additionally, budget airlines often offer one-way fares at the same price as a return ticket.
This means that if you book separate one-way flights, you will most likely pay the same or even more than the return fare, depending on the route.
Booking 2 one-way flights with different airlines
On the other hand, there are cases where, thanks to a tool like Google Flights, you discover that you can save money by booking a round-trip flight with one airline and a one-way return flight with another airline.
For example, last year TPG employee Sean Cudahy had to travel to North Texas for a weekend. Round-trip flights on a single airline from the Washington, DC area to Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) grossed over $600 that particular weekend.
However, he saved a few hundred dollars by mixing and matching: He booked a one-way flight to DFW on Delta Air Lines and a separate one-way round trip on American Airlines.
Please note that this can be risky. If your flight on one airline is significantly delayed (to the point that you miss your return flight), your second airline will not automatically rebook you. The airline staff may not have much sympathy for your situation since your problems occurred on board another airline.
Can I book a return flight to one city and return home from another city?
Yes. These flights are known as open-jaw or multicity routes. Many airlines offer this booking option.
Let’s say I want to fly from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to Orlando International Airport (MCO). I’m going to Walt Disney World for a few days. Then I’ll take a Brightline train to South Florida and spend a few days at the beach before flying back to New York.
Since these are airports heavily served by JetBlue, I’ll use that airline as an example. On JetBlue’s website, I select “Multi-city” instead of searching for “Round-trip” or “One-way” flights.
I have to enter each leg of the journey separately. Let’s leave Newark for Orlando on Saturday, then return from Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport (FLL) to Newark on Thursday.
Ultimately, you book a single itinerary, where the outward and return flights are linked, but with different city combinations.
Can I buy an open return flight?
No, not exactly. When you book a return flight, you usually need to specify a return flight and date.
However, if your plans are likely to change, it is best to choose a date that is far enough away. You must book with an airline or in a class of travel that does not charge a change fee. Then reschedule your return trip once your plans have been determined. Alternatively, you can book a “flexible” rate, which is more expensive but generally easier to change.
Make sure you are familiar with an airline’s change fee policy before booking an open return flight. For example, most airlines do not allow you to cancel or change Basic Economy tickets.
Should I book miles or award tickets as 2 one-way or round trip?
It largely depends on the route. In some cases, you will get better award availability if you book two one-way flights. In other countries, taxes for two award flights one-way may be higher than what you would pay for a round-trip flight.
Nowadays, however, award tickets for two one-way flights and a round trip are usually good for the same number of miles. Be sure to check both on an airline’s website to ensure you get the best possible award availability.
Related reading:
