Alaska one one way ticket
 

Hey Hubbers,

I'm riding from Alaska to Chile soon and was wondering has any one recently entered Anchorage or the US recently on a one way ticket, the travel agents seem to think it's going to be difficult to get in on a one way. I'm in Australia at the moment.

Failing entering the US on a one way how about Canada, Anyone know if that's possible, I can get a return to Anchorage from there if need be, it'll be a lot cheaper that getting a return from Sydney to Anchorage that I wont be using.

Thanking you guys for your advise in advance.
:mchappy:

Hi Kev

I seem to remember there being a thread related to this previosly.
As far as I remember, the Immigration people are only bothered that you may over stay your visa. As long as you can evidence that you will leave the country in time, i.e. visa for the next country etc. you will be ok.

Check up on this though as I'm not speaking from experience it's just something I'd quite like to do myself!

Dan

See here: http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...y-ticket-56582

Actually not OK most of the time. It is not just the INS, it is the airline. They will have to bear costs if you won't get in and they won't even let you check in unless you have a round trip or onward flight ticket.

I know it's not fair, it doesn't make sense, but it is the way it is.

I got a much more thorough grilling in Canada than the US last time. It seems that the INS has made a bit of an effort to be more friendly lately, which doesn't mean they'll bend any rules, just that they will crack a smile every once in a while :-)

Doh!
 

The bit about there being a thread was right though! doh

Thank's for the reply's guys,

I checked out them other threads,I think I'll get a one way if they'll sell it to me and chance it.
:innocent::innocent::innocent:

Well. if that's your conclusion ... As long as you bring a credit card and a plan B and check in early this may make for an interesting day. Best of luck.

Buy a round trip ticket , usually on good offers and you'll be safe. If for any chance you are at the airport to do a boarding and they ask for a return ticket, you run tha chance to be stuck or buy on the spot a $$$$ price.

If you arrive with your bike (as ancompanied baggage) have the airwaybill or B/L with you and show it to immigration explaining your plans. It could work.

I did this last year. As I bought a single ticket (Frankfurt to Anchorage) I had to go to the US embassy in London (I'm British) for an "interview". they don't like people (especially males) who only have a one way ticket. It would have been easier for me to buy a return and just get the online visa waiver thing that a Uk citizen is entitled too. It was a hard interview where I had to "prove" I wasn't going to stay in Alaska and work etc. She almost didn't give it to me as she wasn't convinced i was going to actually ride a motorbike from Alasak to Panama.

It worked and I did it but perhaps it would have been easier to get a return. DO NOT ASSUME that the USA will let you in. It's the hardest country in the world (I've found) to get a visa for!

The OP comes from Australia. A RT ticket may not be the cheapest option. I personally would (and have in the past) buy a one-way to the US and a FULLY REFUNDABLE one-way to somewhere outside the US with a departure date well after your arrival, but well within your allowed stay (three month - I assume you come on a visa waiver).

You could book for instance this trip LAX-MEX
Lufthansa - Reservation and booking (you must click the "Click for flexible conditions" checkbox)

It comes with the following fare rules:
So, you pay for your flight ($1000 in this example). Once you are inside the US (do not mention your motorbike being shipped, keep saying that you are a tourist) you simply cancel your flight and get the full refund. With Lufthansa this will take up to 4 weeks. So you do need to have the money as your credit card bill is generally due before you get the refund.

If you have the spare cash, all you lose is a few bucks in missed interest. The ticket is so ridiculously expensive because it can be changed and cancelled at no cost.

The key is to buy DIRECTLY from a REPUTABLE airline and to get a FULLY REFUNDABLE fare. Check the fare rules!

If you do want to chance it, make sure you have enough money on your card. I can almost guarantee you that you will be forced to buy a ticket out of the US at checkin in Australia. If they do, keep in mind that you do not have to buy a ticket from the airline you are flying with. Just step back from the counter, get on the net and buy a fully refundable one-way out of the US as per example above and be prepared to pay quite a bit more as you are closer to your (non-)flight date.

The other option, if you don't have a $1000 to spare temporarily, is to buy the cheapest one-way out (not including Canada) and eat up the loss. This one is obviously harder to do when you get turned down at checkin. Cheap flights may not be available at that point.

Cheers

Thanks Boarder
 

Thank's for the advice Boarder, It's most likely the best option. I'll look into a fully refundable ticket soon and post what I find for the rest. I used to live in NY city years ago and I've flown in one a one way before but that was before the US became the most paranoid place on the planet. Last time I went through there, I was questioned for a good 15 min because I've got Pakistan and Iranian stamps in my passport. I guess it's best not to rock the boat in a country gripped by fear.