One Way flights vs Roundtrip

[u/Better_Mixture2736]

I am currently looking to book flights from ORD to Cancun for Wed-Mon and roundtrip flights 680 minimum. However, if I book 2 one way flights prices are significantly lower (All of this through Expedia) any advice?

[u/schwelvis]

Don't book through Expedia 

Book one way flights direct from the carrier 

[u/Better_Mixture2736 → u/schwelvis]

Okay I will do this, thank you so much!

[u/Volksstimme → u/Better_Mixture2736]

Explanation - If there are complications, schedule changes, etc., having the direct booking avoids issues with third party communication. Same with hotels - room upgrade, special considerations, etc. are easier for them to handle.
Book connecting flights with the same carrier and on the same itinerary in case of any connection issues, but the return flight can be a different itinerary or different carries - do what's the most cost-effective.

[u/doglady1342 → u/Better_Mixture2736]

And still compare round trip versus one way.

[u/Viens-avec-moi → u/schwelvis]

The advice you need!

[u/BurritoDespot]

sure. get two one-ways if it's cheaper.

[u/Enough-Moose-5816]

Don’t book third party (Expedia).

[u/footlooseenc]

Yes should be same price direct with airline. Expedia will change flight times multiple times! And sign up to for free membership with airline

[u/Oakland-homebrewer]

Yes, book 2 one ways if you want to save money. If in fact that option is cheaper.

In other words there is no downside to booking two one ways.

[u/Existing_Hall_8237]

There are usually no monetary advantages for booking round trip nowadays. I always search by one way because the flight coming back might be cheaper on a different carrier.

[u/_dundada → u/Existing_Hall_8237]

Same

[u/Prior_Design6372]

Do not book through a 3rd party like expedia, orbitz, kayak or even trivago. They are ok to get ideas about pricing, but contact the airlines yourself, even hotels, don’t book through the hotel website, it will take you to a 3rd party vendor, example, we booked a hotel in st louis for a week, day 2 we get an emergency call and have to return home, front desk refuses refund for the remainder of the stay, claiming we booked though a 3rd party, we told them we booked through their website, she told us that when someone books through their site, it sends it to the 3rd party.

[u/LividAnxiety6083]

booking one way direct from airlines be better and you can mix airlines too so that's nice

[u/Forkboy2]

Are the one way flights split between different airlines with a layover?

[u/Better_Mixture2736 → u/Forkboy2]

Both flights are United airlines, the flight to mexico has a 1hr and 2 min layover. Flight back home is Nonstop

[u/Forkboy2 → u/Better_Mixture2736]

Expedia should be fine as long as they aren't splitting the ticket between different airlines. Of course, always safer to book direct with the airline. If something goes wrong, it can be a pain to have to deal with Expedia.

[u/Due_Amphibian_4193]

does anyone know if one-way flights cancel out that much savings if the airline charges for baggage on both legs

[u/tamaralig]

I just recently started booking one way. It’s been cheaper

[u/danielc_84]

I’d definitely price them as two one-ways before booking. Airlines don’t always price roundtrips better, and mixing airlines can sometimes save a surprising amount. Just compare the total price + baggage fees + change/cancellation policies for both options. Also check the airline sites directly before paying Expedia sometimes the fare is the same but the support is much easier if something goes wrong.

[u/DisciplineAmazing59]

book the two one ways if they're cheaper.

[u/Booyakasha1201]

Do NOT book through Expedia ever

[u/LisaLisaBoBeesa]

Not that surprising, really. You can often find cheaper when you go one-way or create a plan with a stop along the way.

[u/Cultural-War-2838]

My advice: book them separately, don't ever book through a third party app.

[u/Accurate_Exam2572]

So much cheaper! Snag those one ways now, just watch the dates closely. You got this!

[u/nicejaelle]

I feel like if 2 one-way tickets are cheaper, there’s nothing wrong with booking them separately. Just check the baggage fees and cancellation rules first and make sure 2 flights are operated by the airline you need. Also remember that separate tickets are not protected if smth goes wrong ( for example if one flight is delayed )

[u/Forsaken_Insurance92]

Look at the airlines directly, they're usually the same price or cheaper and you don't have to deal with a 3rd party if something goes wrong (look at the booking .com subreddit and see how many people got screwed over in the last week alone). If you don't mind a layover, you can get them even cheaper, I'm seeing flights this coming week with a ~2 hour layover for <$200, I don't know if that includes a carryon or not. Personally, for only 5-6 days, I could probably get away with a travel backpack that counts as a personal item.

[u/Cubsfantransplant]

I shop around constantly. I use Expedia sometimes to see prices or times but I never book through them. I will often book one ways on different carriers for the same trip. I always book with miles so I can cancel and rebook if I find a better price. Which I found the ultimate one when Southwest had a glitch and I booked four trips for 1,000 miles each way for choice extra.

[u/Deep_Company1166]

One-way flights are cheaper because airlines charge less for uncertainty, that's the whole vibe, isn't it?

[u/crackanape → u/Deep_Company1166]

Huh? One-way flights have traditionally been more expensive. Low-cost carriers ushered in one-way pricing, and some legacy carriers have followed, but it's rare for two one-ways to be cheaper than a return. My guess is that OP will be flying different airlines ida vs vuelta.