One Way Plane Ticket to move to UK?

Hi there -
Not sure if this subject has been addressed yet.  I'll be moving to the UK to be with my (soon-to-be) husband. I was thinking that buying a one way ticket would be the best option, since I have no idea when I'll be back to the US to visit my family. However, a neighbor told me his 80 year-old lady friend was put on a suspicious list, got searched at every point because she was carrying only a one-way ticket. And this was for flying within the US!

Anyone have any recent experience or advice...

Thanks
Lisa

I came over to the UK on a one-way ticket and didn't have any problems.  When I went back to visit the US in March on a round-trip ticket I got searched at every point.  I think it just happens sometimes for no particular reason.

You might want to check on pricing before you buy a one-way ticket.  When I checked on my tickets to the UK for September, I found that one-way tickets averaged over $1,300 but a round trip ticket averaged $800.  I'm sure this is all very sensitive to where you live and what airport you're flying into, but I just thought I'd give you a heads up to check both and see which one will be cheaper for you.  Might save you a few hundred $ in the long run.

Also, do you have a visa?  If you have a valid visa that states you can live in the UK, I don't see any reason why you would be considered suspicious since you are legally moving there to live.

Yeah, I will be applying for the spousal visa as soon as we get married, so I will be relocating to the UK.

I had thought about the round-trip price vs. one-way. I guess I could just pick a date out of thin air and hope that I'll be able to make it - or if it's cheaper, just not use the return ticket.

Thanks everyone!
Lisa

I didn't know you could apply for a spouse visa in the UK unless you already have a fiance visa issued in the US.

I got a return ticket because it was cheaper and booked the return portion for Thanksgiving.  Then I had to go home.

MrsRupert,

It used to be the case that within the US, flying one way would subject you to much more scrutiny than otherwise. That would be one of the things that would be likely to get you flagged for further screening, for example. However, this is much less the case now since more people fly this way cause of the way airlines charge for one-way vs roundtrip tickets within the US nowadays.

As for one-way international, well I've flown one way NY-LON numerous times, most recently in March, and have not been bothered about it ever.

Honestly, the only thing I'd consider in your scenario is the price, as someone mentioned above. It isn't unusual for a RT ticket to cost less than the OW.

Don't worry about getting a one-way ticket.

I flew from California to Scotland on a one-way ticket in July. The airline asked me about it and wanted me to purchase a return, but I just showed them my spouse visa and marriage certificate, and explained I was moving. They let it go and even nicely over-looked my over-weight bag.

I was questioned about it again when I went through customs in London, but I showed them the same documents and explained I was moving permanently to the Uk and it was no problem.

I will say that the one-way tickets are not cheap, but it is an option, especially if you don't know when you'll fly back to the US.

We had a one-way flight when we moved to Glasgow without any problems. We flew Aer Lingus from JFK, which was the cheapest we had found at that time (something in the ballpark of $400 per ticket).

If I get a return ticket and then don't use the second leg of it, do I incur any fines or get on any lists of suspicious persons? Also, how adjustable is the date on the second leg of the journey? Can I move it back indefinitely, or does there come a point where I have to use it or lose it?

Also, how adjustable is the date on the second leg of the journey? Can I move it back indefinitely, or does there come a point where I have to use it or lose it?

Question that should be adressed not to people on forums but to the airline you buy your ticket from.

If I get a return ticket and then don't use the second leg of it, do I incur any fines or get on any lists of suspicious persons? Also, how adjustable is the date on the second leg of the journey? Can I move it back indefinitely, or does there come a point where I have to use it or lose it?

Most of the ones I've seen need to be used within a year of the first travelling date.  But it all depends. 

Just small gripe about one-way travel: I am leaving today with a one-way ticket to the UK and have been told I cannot check in online and must wait until I get to the airport b/c I dont have a return ticket or proof of onward travel.  They must see my visa before they let me check in.  No biggie except that I can't pick a good seat ahead of time.

Just small gripe about one-way travel: I am leaving today with a one-way ticket to the UK and have been told I cannot check in online and must wait until I get to the airport b/c I dont have a return ticket or proof of onward travel.  They must see my visa before they let me check in.  No biggie except that I can't pick a good seat ahead of time.

That's strange...I didn't have that problem at all. I was able to check in online and, if hadn't any luggage, go straight through like normal. Who are you flying with?

Just small gripe about one-way travel: I am leaving today with a one-way ticket to the UK and have been told I cannot check in online and must wait until I get to the airport b/c I dont have a return ticket or proof of onward travel.  They must see my visa before they let me check in.  No biggie except that I can't pick a good seat ahead of time.

This used to happen to me all the time when I would travel to the UK from the US without any reservation to fly back to the US.  I always had to check in at the counter.  It's annoying but what can you do.  This was usually on United.