Round trip airline ticket on a K-1

[Scottish Mernymph 512]

It's cheaper, much, much cheaper to buy a round trip ticket than a one-way......so is there any good reason why I can't/shouldn't just book a round trip ticket & cancel the return once I'm over there?

The potentail issues would perhaps be

1. at the check-in desk, why would I be travelling on a K-1 but booking a return flight
2. at POE, again why would I book a roundtrip coming in on a K-1

I don't want to give the airline, & certainly not POE any reason to turn me away.....but it's such a MASSIVE price hike.

[TBoneTX 43,020]

They shouldn't give you a problem.

Just be sure to cancel the return portion once you're here!  As a priority!

Record the name of the agent with whom you cancel, and the time/date.

Get an e-mailed confirmation of the cancellation, if possible.

Keep this information (e-mail or written notes) with your permanent immigration records.

 

The reason:

People have been accused of leaving the U.S. when they hadn't left.

This is because the airline failed to change the flight manifest.

"Proving a negative" to USCIS, CBP, et al. then became a major, lingering chore.

Edited February 20, 2019 by TBoneTX

[Scottish Mernymph 512]

7 minutes ago, TBoneTX said:

They shouldn't give you a problem.

Just be sure to cancel the return portion once you're here!  As a priority!

Record the name of the agent with whom you cancel, and the time/date.

Get an e-mailed confirmation of the cancellation, if possible.

Keep this information (e-mail or written notes) with your permanent immigration records.

 

The reason:

People have been accused of leaving the U.S. when they hadn't left.

This is because the airline failed to change the flight manifest.

"Proving a negative" to USCIS, CBP, et al. then became a major, lingering chore.

Brilliant thankyou TBone, this is really helpful. I'll be sure to do that.

[LukeU 413]

1 hour ago, Scottish Mernymph said:

It's cheaper, much, much cheaper to buy a round trip ticket than a one-way......so is there any good reason why I can't/shouldn't just book a round trip ticket & cancel the return once I'm over there?

The potentail issues would perhaps be

1. at the check-in desk, why would I be travelling on a K-1 but booking a return flight
2. at POE, again why would I book a roundtrip coming in on a K-1

I don't want to give the airline, & certainly not POE any reason to turn me away.....but it's such a MASSIVE price hike.

There's also the possibility of looking at Norwegian, they're doing amazing offers on London Gatwick to Chicago one way for under £300! 

 

I assume you'll be flying into Detroit for your POE but saving £1300 on a one way ticket is pretty tasty.

 

As TboneTX said there are certain stories of people being accused of leaving the USA and I know from certain people in the company I work for, that cancelling flights etc and adjusting the manifests can be as much work (depending on your system) as booking a full flight itself so they'll cut corners. Which generally has no effect on the passenger, but in our cases is quite the opposite. 

[Wuozopo 4,285]

6 hours ago, Scottish Mernymph said:

It's cheaper, much, much cheaper to buy a round trip ticket than a one-way......so is there any good reason why I can't/shouldn't just book a round trip ticket & cancel the return once I'm over there?

The potentail issues would perhaps be

1. at the check-in desk, why would I be travelling on a K-1 but booking a return flight
2. at POE, again why would I book a roundtrip coming in on a K-1

I don't want to give the airline, & certainly not POE any reason to turn me away.....but it's such a MASSIVE price hike.

Almost everybody books round trip. Check in won't even know what a K1 visa is. POE won't care about your ticket or ask. (This is different than visiting when they routinely ask "how long is your visit?" or being asked to show you have a return). You can pick a return date for a time when flights might even be cheaper...red-eye flights or non-prime dates. Try different combos.

[akfamilyjourney 77]

how much luggages are you taking?

im was also looking at the tickets and round trip is way more cheaper. unfortunatly they only allow 1 check in baggage for affordable price(

Edited February 20, 2019 by theafons

[Scottish Mernymph 512]

9 minutes ago, theafons said:

how much luggages are you taking?

im was also looking at the tickets and round trip is way more cheaper. unfortunatly they only allow 1 check in baggage for affordable price(

I'll be arranging to check in an extra case-it's usually around about £75 for that, seems reasonable to me but need to check to be sure.

[akfamilyjourney 77]

Just now, Scottish Mernymph said:

I'll be arranging to check in an extra case-it's usually around about £75 for that, seems reasonable to me but need to check to be sure.

you mean at the airport? i thought of that, but not sure if its even possible.

british airways ask you to upgrade to economy premium or something similar for around £300 for you to be able to take 2 carry on luggages. so confusing(

[Scottish Mernymph 512]

I usually fly with Delta, first bag(up to 23kg) is free & I can pay $100 to have a second bag(same weight) checked in, looks like that's the way for me. Not at the airport, I'd choose to add the additional bag at time of booking flights.

Edited February 20, 2019 by Scottish Mernymph

[Unidentified 2,930]

8 minutes ago, theafons said:

you mean at the airport? i thought of that, but not sure if its even possible.

british airways ask you to upgrade to economy premium or something similar for around £300 for you to be able to take 2 carry on luggages. so confusing(

Have you looked into Icelandair? They're generally cheaper. One of my go-to airlines for cheap travels to Europe. 

[LukeU 413]

1 minute ago, Scottish Mernymph said:

I usually fly with Delta, first bag(up to 23kg) is free & I can pay $100 to have a second bag(same weight) checked in, looks like that's the way for me.

Delta is definitely better in that case!

 

Although they've just changed my ticket selection I always go for and I believe most of the normal economy, now your first bag is £45, but still not too bad overall. 

[Saiali 13]

So if u check kayak.com a one way from Algiers is 427. I purchased my husband's for $400 round trip last yr. Go through Spain airlines much friendlier. Splurge on the extra insurance for refundable if u decide to buy round trip and after he arrives and u2 are married. Then call airline back and ask for a ticket voucher for the return flight.  Any ticket vouchers I have ever had are good for at least 1yr post original flight date. Which means u have a free one way flight available for future use😉

Edited February 20, 2019 by Saiali
More info

[akfamilyjourney 77]

49 minutes ago, Unidentified said:

Have you looked into Icelandair? They're generally cheaper. One of my go-to airlines for cheap travels to Europe. 

Have tried it just now few times. Doesn't give me any options from london to miami on selected dates.

[josandme 6]

Buy a return ticket 90 days from your entry date. 

[jakejon 1,196]

13 hours ago, LukeU said:

There's also the possibility of looking at Norwegian, they're doing amazing offers on London Gatwick to Chicago one way for under £300! 

 

I assume you'll be flying into Detroit for your POE but saving £1300 on a one way ticket is pretty tasty.

 

As TboneTX said there are certain stories of people being accused of leaving the USA and I know from certain people in the company I work for, that cancelling flights etc and adjusting the manifests can be as much work (depending on your system) as booking a full flight itself so they'll cut corners. Which generally has no effect on the passenger, but in our cases is quite the opposite. 

I done Norwegian dirt cheap 1 way from Gatwick-perfect excuse for me to try them! Easyjet have this awesome worldwide system too!! On an irrelevant note; I CAN"T wait to visit the UK hopefully in September!! ❤️

Edited February 20, 2019 by jakejon