Job Discussion Forums

[am88]

At the beginning of July I'm going to teach in China for 8 months, but I'm wondering if I should purchase a one way ticket or also a return ticket? Does it even matter? What do most people do?

[randyj]

Most people buy a round-trip ticket simply because it's cheaper than the alternatives. If a person plans a return in eight months, then a round-trip purchase would be the way to go. In so doing, flexibility is lost. Airline companies charge hefty fees for itinerary changes, even possibly including an increased price if the tariff has gone up.

[astrayalien]

I'm going to China soon for one year. I can't buy a return ticket more than 11 months ahead and who knows exact dates that far ahead anyway. So I will buy a one-way ticket. Its more costly, but much more flexible.

[chinanoodles]

Check with your airlines, You should be able to purchase an open ended two way flight. You wont be tied to any specific date for your return but I'm sure there will be some limitations. May be worth looking into.

[roadwalker]

What chinanoodles said. I have done that twice. I went to a travel agent who issued two paper tickets: the first one was the actual flight booked to China, and the second was just proof of purchase with a control number. They told me they couldn't actually book a flight that far in advance, so I should call the airline a few months in advance of my return. I did, gave the telephone rep my control or booking number or whatever they called it from the "ticket", and they booked my return with an e-ticket. The last time was a couple of years back, but I can't see why it's not still possible to do it this way. I think it saved me a few hundred dollars. If it's eight months out, you may be able to book both flights ahead of time. Open ended gives you a bit more flexibility to get in some travel or get the heck out, depending on your mood and budget, since the date isn't set.