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Travelling to POE on a Return Ticket

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Hello everyone.

I've been doing some research this evening on air fares for POE (I'll be flying into Houston GBI). My usual route takes me from my home city airport to Amsterdam, and then directly on to IAH. I'd prefer to take this route when I do POE out of simplicity (i.e not having to worry about connection times if I do POE in another US airport). My problem is that I can only find this route on a return ticket, which is considerably cheaper than a one-way ticket which sees me either taking crazy routes through Istanbul with a 32 hour layover or 2+ stops in the States.

I can't find a definitive answer anywhere as to potential consequences of flying out on a return ticket and not using the return journey portion. I'd imagine that more than likely there'd be a fine or charge of some kind. Most of the answers point to the T&Cs of your ticket, but understandably, I haven't booked my flight yet as our case is still with the NVC.

Did anyone do this/try this out when doing their POE? What was your experience?

Now chronicling my experience in handy blog format at


http://the-shipping-forecast.tumblr.com/

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Filed: K-1 Visa Country: New Zealand
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This has been covered here on VJ before...

I have not read anywhere that there is any problem with having a return flight and never actually use the return portion. The one thing I have seen come up that was a bit unexpected to me was that if you don't cancel your return, it may cause USCIS to see it as you having left and abandoned your immigration attempts. (at least in the K1 route).

The suggestion always seems to be, purchase the airfare that makes the most financial (or logistical) sense to you, but just make sure to inform the airlines that you do not plan on returning.

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Did anyone do this/try this out when doing their POE? What was your experience?

We did it. (IAH also). Hundreds of people have done it. Pick a return on an off day, weird hours, non-peak vacation season and it can give you an even cheaper ticket. Try various options. It doesn't have to fall within the 90 days like VWP entrants. Cancel your return as a courtesy.

England.gifENGLAND ---

K-1 Timeline 4 months, 19 days 03-10-08 VSC to 7-29-08 Interview London

10-05-08 Married

AOS Timeline 5 months, 14 days 10-9-08 to 3-23-09 No interview

Removing Conditions Timeline 5 months, 20 days12-27-10 to 06-10-11 No interview

Citizenship Timeline 3 months, 26 days 12-31-11 Dallas to 4-26-12 Interview Houston

05-16-12 Oath ceremony

The journey from Fiancé to US citizenship:

4 years, 2 months, 6 days

243 pages of forms/documents submitted

No RFEs

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We did it. (IAH also). Hundreds of people have done it. Pick a return on an off day, weird hours, non-peak vacation season and it can give you an even cheaper ticket. Try various options. It doesn't have to fall within the 90 days like VWP entrants. Cancel your return as a courtesy.

Awesome, thanks for the pointers too. It looks like I'll be flying for next to nothing! My wife just told me she has enough air miles for a one way so I'll get to fly direct from Heathrow... The perks of having a spouse that works in national marketing!

Now chronicling my experience in handy blog format at


http://the-shipping-forecast.tumblr.com/

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Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Mexico
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~ Moved from Moving to the US and Your New Life in America to Working & Traveling During US Immigration - topic is travel ~

Link to K-1 instructions for Ciudad Juarez, Mexico > https://travel.state.gov/content/dam/visas/K1/CDJ_Ciudad-Juarez-2-22-2021.pdf

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Awesome, thanks for the pointers too. It looks like I'll be flying for next to nothing! My wife just told me she has enough air miles for a one way so I'll get to fly direct from Heathrow... The perks of having a spouse that works in national marketing!

Now that sounds good. We were out having dinner last night and I asked how big of an airport B'ham had. He said it was an international airport so that led to telling about your flying to Amsterdam then Houston. He wanted to know why anybody would do that instead of LHR to IAH non-stop. So...is it that much cheaper?? I guess getting to Heathrow is over 100 miles, isn't it?

Well , I hope the rest of the visa process moves along for you so you'll be on your way to Houston in no time.

England.gifENGLAND ---

K-1 Timeline 4 months, 19 days 03-10-08 VSC to 7-29-08 Interview London

10-05-08 Married

AOS Timeline 5 months, 14 days 10-9-08 to 3-23-09 No interview

Removing Conditions Timeline 5 months, 20 days12-27-10 to 06-10-11 No interview

Citizenship Timeline 3 months, 26 days 12-31-11 Dallas to 4-26-12 Interview Houston

05-16-12 Oath ceremony

The journey from Fiancé to US citizenship:

4 years, 2 months, 6 days

243 pages of forms/documents submitted

No RFEs

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Now that sounds good. We were out having dinner last night and I asked how big of an airport B'ham had. He said it was an international airport so that led to telling about your flying to Amsterdam then Houston. He wanted to know why anybody would do that instead of LHR to IAH non-stop. So...is it that much cheaper?? I guess getting to Heathrow is over 100 miles, isn't it?

Well , I hope the rest of the visa process moves along for you so you'll be on your way to Houston in no time.

It's not really an overly large airport. Back in those days I was lucky enough that my salary would cover flights out whenever I felt like it, but, from what I remember flying from Heathrow direct usually ran into thousands of pounds. A round trip from BHX to IAH via Amsterdam or Charles de Gaulle was about £450 or so through Skyscanner, and it negated the problem of having to get down to London (about 120 miles or so away); so it was kind of a no brainer. Plus I really enjoy flying anyway, and it only added three hours or so to the total journey time.

Thanks for the positivity Nich-Nick, I'm sure it'll all be over before we know it.

Now chronicling my experience in handy blog format at


http://the-shipping-forecast.tumblr.com/

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