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The Experience (Why need an Onward Ticket)

After having visited Europe, you plan to visit South East Asia. And while you enjoyed every single minute in Italy, Paris, and Spain, you're more than ready to explore the vast culture and beaches of Philippines, Indonesia, and Thailand.

You eagerly hand over your passport and ticket at the check in counter. At that point, clear visions of white beaches and blue skies slowly begin to materialize in your head.  You remain in that blissful trance, right up until the moment you hear the airline agent say…

“Can I please see your proof of onward ticket?”

You stand there, confused. Only thing you can say is "what?"

“We cannot let you board your flight without proof that you will come back.”

After trying to beg the airline agent without success, the visions in your head are now replaced of a plane taking off without you.

Perhaps you’ve experienced the same thing, I know I have. As dealing with the issue of onward flight tickets is something that many travelers whose travel plans are open-ended and therefore doesn’t involve any onward flights.

The Solution

In order to avoid a similar situation, I now make sure that I’m always prepared. But that doesn’t mean that I’m purchasing roundtrip tickets all of the time. Instead, I "rent" a return ticket.

While some might think this is a bit ‘questionable’, it is a workaround that saves me a great deal of money and hassle by eliminating the fear involved with hearing those dreaded words – ‘where’s your onward ticket?

Here's how I do it:

  1. On your computer or phone (yes, you can do it even with phone), search returnflightonwardtravel.com.
  2. Once you're in the website, click Create Itinerary. This where you fill up your information- name, departing and arrival airport, and depart date.
  3.  Click Find Flights. And you will see all the available flights and airlines. see photo below
  4.  Now there are three choices:
    • FREE return ticket. Where you will have put all the flight information for one of the suitable flights, including the flight #, dates/times, duration, total miles of the itinerary, airline and type of aircraft.
    • Fake return ticket for only $3.99. Where you only put your personal information and we will find all the available flights and airline for you.
    • Rental return ticker for only $9.99. The process is the same with the second option except it's a legit airline ticket.
  5. Once you've chosen what ticket to get and paid for the corresponding fee, they will send you a confirmatory ticket and you'll be good to go.

And when an airline check-in staff or even an immigration officer, asks for proof of your onward ticket, simply hand over your confirmation and you’ll quickly be on your way.

Can I really guarantee the success of the first two options? Nope. So you’ll have to use it at your own risk. However, it’s worked for me each and every time.

 

 

return flight onward travel

Singapore and it's city lights and skyscrapers

I never enjoyed flying. Sitting in a cramp cylindrical tube for hours, constrained to small seats, scrunched up with strangers is not my cup of tea.

I was super excited for this specific flight though because it will be my first trip abroad. And I'm traveling alone!

I was going to Singapore to visit a friend. I didn't know what documents to bring since it was my first time with international flight. All I have is my one-way ticket to Singapore, passport and an invitation letter that my friend sent me.

On the day of my flight, I came to the airport 4 hours early. Did I tell you I was excited?

I was the very first one to check-in. Paid the travel tax and terminal fee. Everything was smooth until I went to the immigration. I was subjected to a series of questions.

immigration

Question #1: Are you traveling alone? I said yes with a hint of pride in my voice.

Question #2: What are you going to do in Singapore? I told him for vacation and yes, still with pride.

Question #3: How long are you going to stay? I said I'm not sure yet because I was thinking of visiting Kuala Lumpur after since it’s only 6 hours by bus from Singapore.

And the most dreaded question: So you don’t have a return ticket?

It all went downhill from there.

The agent gave me a long piece of paper with personal questions that I have to answer. Questions like:

  • Who is my sponsor?
  • Who is paying for my trip?
  • How much have I already spent for the trip?
  • How much money do I have in cash?

Another agent asked me to go with him inside an office to be interviewed after I answered the papers. To say I was nervous is an understatement. They told me they wont let me travel unless I can give them proof that I am going back or that I have any reason to go back. The thing is, I did not bring with me my leave form or my company ID.

I ended up buying a return ticket four times more expensive than my promo ticket to Singapore.

Without hesitation I rush off to immigration, through security and towards my gate, arriving with only a few minutes to spare. As soon as I buckle my seat belt and settle into my window seat, I lean my head back, wipe the sweat from my forehead and take a deep breath. I'm on my way to Singapore.

While on the plane, I got to chat for a little with my seatmate who I found out was a backpacker and has been traveling for six months now. I ended up telling him what happened to me in the immigration.And that’s when he told me about this site called returnflightonwardtravel.com where you can basically rent a ticket for only $9.99! Waaaay less than what I paid for my ticket.

From now on, whenever I travel with no itinerary, I used the site to get a return ticket. It was a lesson learned the hard way.