Here’s the $12 solution to the onward flight dilemma.
For those of you who prefer to travel via one-way flights, there’s always a clutch moment at check-in. I’m talking about when the agent asks for proof of onward travel. (Note: If you’re traveling on the usual return flight, there’s no problem. But for those exploring multiple destinations or on longer trips without fixed plans, this can be a hassle.)
Proof of onward travel is exactly what it sounds like: something that demonstrates to airline staff and immigration authorities that at some point you’re going to be leaving the country. It might be a flight reservation, or in some cases a bus or train ticket. It doesn’t necessarily have to be a physical document; it can be a reservation code that can be checked online. Why is this needed? Some countries list having an onward ticket as an entry requirement, some airlines demand it in order to let you board the plane, and many countries require it when applying for or extending a tourist visa.
In the past, I’d book a refundable ticket to satisfy the requirement. Watching $1,000 or more disappear from my account (even temporarily) felt painful, and waiting for a refund added another layer of travel admin.
Now, instead of tying up my funds with a refundable booking, I use an onward ticket reservation service to create a legitimate return itinerary. There are several out there; the one I prefer is bestonwardticket.com. Cost for a standard one-way booking? Twelve dollars. And they automatically cancel the reservation after 48 hours, which gives me plenty of time to get through immigration.
Note: Like all services of this type, bestonwardticket.com issues you a flight reservation, not a flight ticket. So instead of an e-ticket or boarding pass, you’ll receive a flight reservation or flight itinerary. This is a PDF document with the flight code, departure/arrival dates and times, plus your name and a unique number called a PNR code. The PNR (Passenger Name Record) is the number that officials use to validate your flight reservation in their systems.
Twist’s Take: For only $12, bestonwardticket.com solves the onward ticket problem for one-way travelers.