Re-entering with One way vs Rountrip ticket

[Hannah7]

guys,

as some of you know from my previous stories, I have left the U.S. for study reasons with valid reentry permit in the year 2010. I'm returning next year just couple months before my 2nd anniversary.

Doing the first preparations for my (permanent) return, I'm looking at the flight tickets. I know, that the ideal thing would be to fly with a one-way ticket, with an american carrier from a big European hub to a big American hub like JFK or LAX, etc.

Here is the thing. Single one-way tickets are at least twice as much more expensive than rountrip ones!

Should I:

1) Play their game and just throw away money for one way ticket?
2) Buy rountrip one and claim I am never going to take the flight back?

What do you think? Anyways, hello everybody here

 

[Jackolantern]

A one-way ticket is more than the total of BOTH directions of a return ticket?

What about if you book the return stage relatively far into the future, like 6 months or 10 months? Are the prices still that crazy? That would imply you're going to spend the next 6+ months in the US, rather than going abroad again in a few days or weeks.

 

[Hannah7]

A one-way ticket is more than the total of BOTH directions of a return ticket?

Exactly! From anywhere in Europe, the one-way tickets are much more expensive then total price for a return ticket.

What about if you book the return stage relatively far into the future, like 6 months or 10 months? Are the prices still that crazy? That would imply you're going to spend the next 6+ months in the US, rather than going abroad again in a few days or weeks.

I can do that! I usually would want to return to Europe for Christmass time, so I can have a ticket from Feb -> Dec. I just meant, that in general, it's better to have a one-way ticket?

Another question. Does it matter which carrier is that? I.e. are American Airlines better than KLM or Air France? ;-)

 

[cafeconleche]

Hmm, I'm not sure if you'll be asked about your ticket. People often don't carry their whole itinerary on them. I don't (especially if I'm flying home). Also, Ive found one way tickets from Europe for less than a roundtrip (though not by much), so it's not always the case that a one way costs an exorbitant amount of money. If you're going for Xmas, though, and you can plan that far ahead, definitely do it. And, don't worry about flying an American carrier. Really, that's useless. Hub to hub also doesn't matter (though that would be cheaper).

 

[Jackolantern]

Hmm, I'm not sure if you'll be asked about your ticket.

Some people are asked, others aren't. After a long trip outside the US, it is common to be asked about the ticket, so it is sensible to be prepared for it.

They won't necessarily ask to see proof of the ticket on the spot, and even if they do, many people won't have it. But in the system they'll note down what you said about your ticket and then it can be researched later with the airlines if they feel the need to investigate whether you're lying.

 

[Jackolantern]

I can do that! I usually would want to return to Europe for Christmass time, so I can have a ticket from Feb -> Dec. I just meant, that in general, it's better to have a one-way ticket?

A one-way ticket or a return ticket that ends up in the US is better than a return ticket that ends up outside the US. However the return stage being far into the future would be almost like a one-way.

Another question. Does it matter which carrier is that? I.e. are American Airlines better than KLM or Air France? ;-)

No.

 

[Triple Citizen]

Not in any form or shape. US airlines are the worst, in my opinion, when it comes to international travel

are American Airlines better than KLM or Air France?

 

[jllag1]

.

 

[Hannah7]

Not in any form or shape. US airlines are the worst, in my opinion, when it comes to international travel

Sure but I meant the difference from the immigration point of view.

Let's see, that brochures say that after long absence one should not travel on a carrier that is full of non-Americans. Because I guess Americans prefer to travel on American airliners?

 

[cafeconleche]

What brochure? That was a joke, yes?

Service on US carriers is indeed worse. International is better compared to domestic, but I'd rather fly KLM or something.

 

[Triple Citizen]

No difference whatsoever. Admitting officer at the POE will not care what airline you flew.

but I meant the difference from the immigration point of view.

 

[olyn]

Re-entry permit

Approx. how much does a re-entry permit cost? I did not know this, untill I read some where in the thread.
Iam in the USA and planning to live the country for a trip which may last more than six month,
I have a child, do l need to apply for my baby too?

 

[Jackolantern]

See http://www.uscis.gov/i-131 for the form and fees.

I have a child, do l need to apply for my baby too?

Depends on the immigration status of the child (and indirectly, the citizenship status of the other parent). Is your child a US citizen? Permanent resident (green card holder)? Some other status? Will the child leave the US with you?

I assume you are a permanent resident, but what about the other parent? Is the other parent a US citizen?