USA without return flight
Discussion
We are heading off to South America next month. We plan to come back via NYC but might go to some other places along the way so dont know our exact schedule.
How critical is it to have return flights booked when you enter the US? Last time I was in LA they wanted to see proof of return flight.
Is it a big no no?
At the moment we are going MIA to Peru then Peru to Mexico then Mexico into the US and then after that will see where we go?
How critical is it to have return flights booked when you enter the US? Last time I was in LA they wanted to see proof of return flight.
Is it a big no no?
At the moment we are going MIA to Peru then Peru to Mexico then Mexico into the US and then after that will see where we go?
gotoPzero said:
We are heading off to South America next month. We plan to come back via NYC but might go to some other places along the way so dont know our exact schedule.
How critical is it to have return flights booked when you enter the US? Last time I was in LA they wanted to see proof of return flight.
Is it a big no no?
At the moment we are going MIA to Peru then Peru to Mexico then Mexico into the US and then after that will see where we go?
As long as you are not popping into see the local 'Don' in Miami on your way back from those 2 countries you should be ok. How critical is it to have return flights booked when you enter the US? Last time I was in LA they wanted to see proof of return flight.
Is it a big no no?
At the moment we are going MIA to Peru then Peru to Mexico then Mexico into the US and then after that will see where we go?
I would expect a very thourgh check of your bags and be able to prove that you packed your own suitcases though.
We did a round the world trip a couple of years ago and found that we were being stopped for extra security checks an awful lot.
Eventually I asked a friendly border guard about it and he said it was because we didn’t have a return flight on the system which flagged as unusual.
It didn’t stop us going anywhere but became a bit of a chore.
Eventually I asked a friendly border guard about it and he said it was because we didn’t have a return flight on the system which flagged as unusual.
It didn’t stop us going anywhere but became a bit of a chore.
I've been stopped from going in before and marched to the ticketing office to get a refundable ticket on the way in. If you have some air miles book a cheap refundable flight, or book a flight that has a 24 hour cooling off period the morning that you're flying to the USA, then once you land, cancel it.
Griffith4ever said:
Except that you can, and I have. I have never had my return flights checked, or asked about, in any way , and I've been three times, all into LAX. One one occasion I had no return flight booked.
On a business trip stopped and asked to see a return ticket. When I couldn't produce one (it was in my luggage) my passport was taken and I was sent to another area for further questioning.Griffith4ever said:
Except that you can, and I have. I have never had my return flights checked, or asked about, in any way , and I've been three times, all into LAX. One one occasion I had no return flight booked.
I’ve had my onward flights checked many times, twice this year out of 3 trips to the US. Personally I’d make sure I had onward not necessarily return travel booked. A cheap ticket on a budget airline somewhere outside the US or as suggested above an avios flight that could be cancelled for a few quid would be a good shout. It’s a bit of a stupid requirement for that very reason but hey ho.Gassing Station | Holidays & Travel | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff