Can you buy a one way ticket to America?

[PLANT]

Hi all,

Can you buy a one way ticket to America (before leaving Australia)and then before you leave Australia buy the return ticket?
Not sure of exact return date but within a month......
Have Esta and been 3 times before to states always purchased return ticket as new return date.

 

[samuel337]

Hi all,

Can you buy a one way ticket to America and then before you leave Australia buy the return ticket?
Not sure of exact return date but within a month......

Did you mean before you leave Australia or before you leave FOR Australia?

 

[Brooke01]

Hi all,

Can you buy a one way ticket to America (before leaving Australia)and then before you leave Australia buy the return ticket?
Not sure of exact return date but within a month......
Have Esta and been 3 times before to states always purchased return ticket as new return date.

I would say "yes". Hubby and I are off to the US in July - albeit a VA "points reward" - but our tickets are 2 x one ways. I can't see it being an issue.

Cheers.

Brooke

 

[FuzzyAUS]

I think yes, I think it comes down to when you arrive at the USA entry point, they need to be able to see you have a ticket back out (eg you can afford to leave)..

 

[travelislife]

Most definitely. I have entered the states with a one way SYD-LAX and then my only other ticket booked was a one way to Mexico leaving a month or so later.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

Generally speaking, if going to the USA & not travelling on a USA or Canadian Passport or visa to study etc, you should be able to provide US CBP with evidence that you are booked on a flight out of the country & be able to show a copy of your airline eticket.

Having said that I've been to the US several times and while I have been asked how long I intend to stay in the US, I've never been asked to show my eticket as proof however the airline staff who check you in for your flight in Australia will probably ask to see a copy of it. It doesn't matter whether it's a one way ticket ex the USA or a return - it just has to be a flight booking of some kind showing you're leaving eg HNL/SYD, LAX/HKG, JFK/NRT etc.

I would just buy your USA/Aust/USA ticket (which you intend to use to fly home to Aust) from the applicable website before you leave Australia as I don't see any advantage in waiting until you arrive in the US to make the booking. That way you have it to show the airline staff here in Australia plus CBP on arrival in the US.

 

[wandering_fred]

While I don't have visa issues, many of the airlines (CX and QF in particular) will be happy to sell you tickets from their USA based web site. Failing that, search for a travel agent in the city where you will staying, and find out if they will issue prior to your arrival

Happy wandering

Fred

 

[williamsf1]

As long as the ticket is bought before you depart Australia you will have no issues

A RETURN/ONWARD TICKET /OR ELECTRONIC TICKET RECORD/ MUST
BE TO A FINAL DESTINATION COUNTRY OTHER THAN CANADA, MEXICO
OR CONTIGUOUS /ADJACENT/ COUNTRIES OR TERRITORIES SITUATED
IN OR BORDERING THE CARIBBEAN SEA TIRULES/R37 . IF
PASSENGER HOLDS PROOF OF RESIDENCE IN, OR IS TRANSITING THE
USA TO SUCH A COUNTRY OR TERRITORY, AN ONWARD/RETURN TICKET
TO THAT COUNTRY OR TERRITORY IS ACCEPTED.
- PASSENGER CAN MAKE SIDE TRIPS TO CANADA, MEXICO OR
CARIBBEAN COUNTRIES/ISLANDS, PROVIDED FIRST ENTERING THE
USA ON A CARRIER PARTICIPATING IN THE VWP. NO ADDITIONAL
TIME IS GIVEN /EXTENSION/ BASED ON THE DEPARTURE TO
CONTIGUOUS /ADJACENT/ TERRITORY TIRULES/R37