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What is the difference between one-way and round-trip?
One-way versus round-trip flights: how pricing and flexibility differ.
Quick answer
A one-way booking buys flexibility — two one-ways can beat a round trip when return plans are open. A round trip is often simpler and sometimes cheaper on the same carrier, but locks the return. US domestic pricing no longer strongly penalizes one-way tickets.
Exceptions to the rule
- Some airlines still price round trips favorably on their own network
- Open-jaw trips (into one city, out of another) price as two one-ways
- Award pricing differs from cash pricing on many carriers
Related topics: flight booking assistance · domestic flights