One Way Ticket

[SKing]

I do not (nor do my children) have Dominican residency as of yet. We have our one way tickets to DR in August, but I hear that they do not let you in the country with one way tickets if you do not have residency....
Is this true? Am I expected to buy return tickets even though I am not returning anytime soon?
It sounds crazy......... why then would everyone say wait until you get there to start your residency?
Please Advise
SHALENA

[SKY]

The DR government will not be a problem, they never check or ask. The problem is some of the airlines. If you are flying American they will make you buy a return ticket. Not that you really need it to enter the DR, but it is good for their business.

Other airlines are hit and miss. Most do not care. What airline are you on and from where?

[SKing]

Originally Posted by SKY

The DR government will not be a problem, they never check or ask. The problem is some of the airlines. If you are flying American they will make you buy a return ticket. Not that you really need it to enter the DR, but it is good for their business.

Other airlines are hit and miss. Most do not care. What airline are you on and from where?

I will be on American Airlines from RDU to STI.
I will call and ask because they are being ridiculous!

[Rocky]

Originally Posted by SKing

I will be on American Airlines from RDU to STI.
I will call and ask because they are being ridiculous!

AA are very stubborn about this point, and I'll tell you why.
If a person is traveling on a one way ticket, and he is refused entry at his destination, then the airline is responsible for returning said passenger at their expense.
This is why they have that policy of not permitting folks to fly with them on one way tickets.
It is entirely possible that you could purchase an open date return ticket that is 100% refundable, thus circumventing the problem at no cost to you.

[SKY]

Originally Posted by Rocky

AA are very stubborn about this point, and I'll tell you why.
If a person is traveling on a one way ticket, and he is refused entry at his destination, then the airline is responsible for returning said passenger at their expense.
This is why they have that policy of not permitting folks to fly with them on one way tickets.
It is entirely possible that you could purchase an open date return ticket that is 100% refundable, thus circumventing the problem at no cost to you.

All due respect, have you ever in your many years in this country heard of anyone being refused entry for not having a return ticket? I know I have not.

[Rocky]

Originally Posted by SKY

All due respect, have you ever in your many years in this country heard of anyone being refused entry for not having a return ticket? I now I have not.

Absolutely not.
I was simply explaining the AA policy.
It is a worldwide policy and not specific to the DR.
If it were, then it would be totally ridiculous, as you accurately pointed out, nobody gets refused entry.

[SKY]

Speaking of entry, I know someone who for a joke gave the customs officer his "Conch" Passport at entry. This is something they sell in Key West to tourists. It looks just like a real passport. Guess what? They stamped it and in he went.

This was before they ever scanned anything.

[Johana]

This also happens from Canada to DR.

This is West Jet's Policy....
Visitors who wish to book flights online to the Dominican Republic must purchase a return ticket from the gateway at which they plan to enter the country, due to regulatory restrictions.

Last October on a SkyService (CDN Charter) flight a passenger slapped a flight attendant. She almost wasn't let into the DR. My guess is the return flight that night was already fully booked otherwise she would have been refused entry and found herself heading back to Toronto with the police waiting for her at the gate. But if they had sent her back she had already prepaid that portion of the ticket so to Rocky's point the airline is not out any money.

[SKY]

Originally Posted by SKing

I will be on American Airlines from RDU to STI.
I will call and ask because they are being ridiculous!

If you call and ask about this, for sure you will have to buy return tickets.

What I would do is go to the airport early and check in. Say nothing and see what happens. I know people that have whizzed through. If they make you buy return tickets just make sure that they are 100% refundable. Bring a CC with you.

[Chip]

We bought one way tickets from Orl to Sti in '06 from AA and didn't have a problem - they were cheap too.

Check with Spirit too.