Job Discussion Forums

[matthew2p]

Has anyone tried to get into China on a one-way ticket?

[Bayden]

I've never been asked to show any form of ticket, onward or return, any time I've entered.

[Voldermort]

When I first came here I bought a one way ticket. I even confirmed with the Chinese consulate that it was OK to do so. But when I got to the airport, guess what...

I was forced to go and buy another return ticket, just to show I would be leaving China. All my start up expeses were lost.

I will never fly with Scandinavian Airlines again.

[HunanForeignGuy]

[Chris_Crossley]

Some airlines do demand that you buy a return ticket, but I suspect that this may be a trick to get you to part with more of your money. In fact, I have entered China twice on one-way tickets: I was never asked to produce any ticket at all, because the immigration authorities were only interested in the visa inside my passport.

If I were you, I would query - as well as totally avoid - any airlines who say you "must" buy a return ticket and ask them to produce a piece of paper that says that passengers "must" buy a return ticket and gives the reason why. Otherwise I would say that the airline's action is illegal. If you want to check up on some kind of aviation law regarding the purchasing of tickets, you can always do a Google search and then check the appropriate links.

You are flying to and from airports. It is up to the government authorities of the countries that the airports are based in - NOT the airlines - as to whether or not they let you in! If I want to buy a train ticket from London to Paris, do I have to buy a return (round-trip) ticket? No! It is none of the railway company's business if I don't have a ticket for the return trip.

The same principle should apply to international air flights. If I only want a ticket for a one-way trip, I should be able to get one. The airline has no business telling me that I "have to" book a seat for a return journey. If I want to, fine, but, otherwise, wild horses couldn't make me buy one. I think airlines do this deliberately to intimidate people who are at the airport and need to go very soon after they want to check-in.

Check ALL available airlines before booking and don't fall for this complete and utter rubbish. If they refuse to allow you to check in if you have only a one-way ticket, they are in breach of contract. You should be entitled to demand an immediate refund and buy a one-way ticket from some other airline, even if it is at the airport. You may even be lucky in getting a reduced last-minute price compared to your first one!

Whatever the case, check the terms and conditions of airline ticket purchases with each individual airline VERY CAREFULLY. If you book on-line, they should be available to print out and read. If there is nothing in the booking conditions that says you "must" buy a round-trip ticket, take it to the airport with you and wave it in their faces if they start telling you that you "have to" buy a round-trip ticket when you only want to go one way. If necessary, demand to know the names of the check-in official(s) and the duty manager for the airline and threaten to sue them for breach of contract.

How can they argue when you have the evidence that contradicts what they say? (Answers on a postcard, please.)

[Roger]

[bjwellgo8]

I was asked this question a couple of times before. So I guess that it depends on where you are, which Chinese consulate you deal with, and which airline you take.

I know that many people hate this, but in China it depends...

Good luck!

[SimonM]

My ticket was a one-way ticket but I never had to show it. Just the visa.

[clark.w.griswald]